“It is necessary for healthy growth and evolution, both personal and societal, to challenge the assumptions by which we live. And through such challenges, either validate them or affect change. For without change and growth, there can be no life. Existence perhaps, but not the stuff that makes living worthwhile.”
Photo by Allison Mason
@allisonmasson_photography
Wood Chip Freddy and the Plastic Foot Rest
They were all looking at the newcomer real suspiciously when it arrived. Not sure what it was, but it sure wasn’t like the rest of them.
The tall bookshelf had a first mean thought, “if I fall forward I’ll flatten it for sure. Then Owner will take it away and everything will be just as it was. We don’t want any change around here.”
Owner never had bolted Book Shelf to the wall. He was pretty sure he could get himself rocking enough to fall forward. He took a couple tentative rocks then backed against the wall. Once he actually had fallen forward, when Owner hadn’t pushed that big book back in far enough. What was it called? Oh yeah, Dictionary. Book Shelf had strained in silence for hours, trying to keep as much weight on his heels as he could, but he had been out of balance because of Dictionary, and eventually he had fallen forward clear down to Floor. It had been more scary than painful and he hadn’t cracked a board or anything horrible like that. Cracking a board is everyone’s worst nightmare. Because a crack only gets worse and eventually you can’t do your job anymore. Then Owner doesn’t want you anymore either. And you’re sent away and you get replaced. Where you go to none of the furniture knew, but they all knew they didn’t want to find out.
A Chance Encounter
Galroy was in a playful mood as he pranced across the plain. It was mid-day and big Helios overpowered any shadows his little sister may have silhouetted against the rocky foothills to the east. It was only an easy hour to water and beyond that shade, nuts, berries, and the firm brown flanks of Raisie. Galroy bucked reflexively at the thought, tussled his tawny head with both hands, and picked up his pace. Raisie! He lengthened his gait again and the ground passed quickly beneath his hooves.
Oh! A sudden roar burst over Galroy’s head and he bolted instinctively to the right, although there was no cover to be had anywhere on the arid landscape. He skidded to halt in a sprawling four-legged stance. Every muscle quivered. Fists clenched, his nails cut into his palms. Galroy scanned the sky all about him. Not a cloud. And that sound was like no thunder he had ever heard. But then what was it? What if it happened again? What to do? Where to go? What was safest? What was right?