Historical Setting, 629 C.E. Creek House in the Vosgas Mts.
Inky, the kitten Layla gifted to Ana is stalking the plumage of a feather in a clay vase made by a grandchild. With the next waft of breeze through the window, Inky is on the shelf of precious things. Then, with one swat of an over-sized paw, the feather ruffles and the clay vase is shattered on the floor. Hannah sweeps the kitten up in one hand, holding the baby in her other, and she tosses the kitten out the door. This time he wasn’t sent out to be forever wandering, because I am here to scoop him back up and return him into the loving hands that will teach him the lesson every child and critter here knows. This house is a place of nurture where the bowl of fresh goat’s milk will always be a welcome home. And we have yet to make a home for this cat.
Layla is apologizing a stream of “sorry’s” to her mother for the behavior of the gift-kitten, as she is sweeping up the raw clay dust and fragments that were once a masterpiece of child art. Hannah would rescue the feather if she wasn’t holding Willinod. I hand the kitten back to Ana.
Ana explains the goodness of all of this. “Not only do we have the beautiful cat, but here is a good reason to dig up some clay for the grandchildren to work with and this time, I will filter it finer so the good clay will settle out and I can give them better clay for their art. Then, we can put the new vases and bowls they make into the heart of an autumn bon fire for hardening and maybe the new vase will hold water. It won’t crumble into dust when the cat knocks it to the floor. And the grandchildren can also make some new bowls from that better clay for the cat’s milk.”
Layla keeps on apologizing, “I’m so sorry Momma. I didn’t mean to bring you trouble”
“Layla, you brought me a little living creature. That is the perfect gift for an old woman who desperately needs a reminder of beautiful life. And life is all constructed of changes, and sometimes a broken pot. That is what life is, in fact, life is change.”
“I’m pretty sure, Momma, you didn’t mean for things on your shelf of precious things to change.” Layla continues her remorse.
“So, are changes always worthy?”
(Continues Tuesday, September 17)
Lazarus Ink 