The Voice
I turned back to face the little statue.
"Did you speak, just now?"
There was no answer for a time. Long enough that I began to believe I had imagined the little voice. Then-
yes. but I did not think that you would hear it.
"Then why thank me?"
to be polite.
to acknowledge my gratitude.
it is not such a small thing to feel grateful. giving thanks is a way of acknowledging that gratitude, and being attentive to it.
"So, you're glad I cleaned up your tree?"
yes. it is more attractive when it is tidy.
but it is much more important that you gave of your time and your energy. with no prompting, and for no reward.
"Why?"
There was another long pause.
i am sorry, but this is very tiring. it is much harder to speak with you than with the forest. i need to rest. perhaps we can speak again.
And then there was silence. After a few minutes, I turned again and made my way back home, my mind full of questions.