Elephants, Birds and Butterflies

As far back an I can remember, I liked to walk. Everywhere. To school, to work. To visit a friend. Today was no different. Eagar for an early morning stroll, I took my walking stick and threw on a colorful cap that usually sets at an awkward angle. Fashionable? The neighborhood knows me and waves as I go by. Yet today am feeling ambitious. I challenged myself to choose a different route. Taking a turn, I ventured out to someplace else.

I came upon a street that boasted churches, boutiques, nail salons and specialty markets. All was calm since it was before their opening bustle. Now to think on those happenings of yesterday, the concerns of the moment and plans for tomorrow. Well, not yet.

I lifted my head and took in a lovely drink of fresh air … full of misty dew, lovely hydrangea and irresistible brewing hazelnut coffee. It was a postcard view of leafy trees and floral full paint-box radiance.

Wondering how to add this place to the daily course, I glimpsed a good -sized piece of gray. It was from the other side and moving quickly. I twisted my neck, the yanked my body around. What?

My green eyes witnessed what my brain dismissed. It was what couldn’t be. An elephant.

Instantly I crossed the street, nearly falling over myself. And ran-walked, my gimping style, trying to catch up. But the floppy-eared, wrinkled giant was way ahead about to take a turn. Common sense beckoned. If I get to him, just what would I do? Lasso him with my belt? Bribe him with the Power Bar in my pocket? Put on my safari hat and ride him home to the my house? Hmm.

On another fine day, when looking up all was crystal blue, I headed at for my walk. This time in familiar territory, I let my mind wander to all the trivia of the day until a young robin flew around, swirled and landed two sidewalks ahead of me. She stood very still. I took a determined step forward. So did she. Taking several heavy steps, she followed in kind. Then I stopped. The gray robin did as well. Then there was a pause. I began again. So did she until reaching the end of the block. A slight hesitation as she jerked her little head this way and that, then looked up. I waved to my new friend as she took to the sky.

Not my usual, but one afternoon, I decided to walk about the park. Greeting me was a delightful eyeful of pastoral elm and delicate floral scent. Calmly, I sat on a rustic park bench near some bushes. An array of color flit and fluttered around me. Lovely butterflies. A choreography of work and play seemingly effortless. A serendipitous moment that would remain.

So why did I pen these encounters of an elephant, a bird, a butterfly? To remind myself that I am not the sole inhabitant of this planet. There are a plethora of creatures breathing their dance as well—with me. I am reminded that this sharing is vital to keeping a healthy ecosystem on planet Earth. And whenever possible taking the responsibility to make that best choice.

…and that’s how I live it.

POSTSCRIPT: You may be wondering what became of that wonderful elephant. Turning around, the point of origin was found. A mini-circus. Walking through the whirling rides and savory food vendors, I came upon the wildlife tent. When I asked the animal handlers to count all their elephants twice, their eyes grew wide as they sprinted down the street. I knew safety for all was vital. But there was pause of surreal fantasy as I sat upon this majestic creature and trotted him home... to the jungle.