Dive’s level of boisterousness seemed dependent on who he had most recently spent his time with. Shanty had brought out something loud and joyful in him while Seclusion had turned his thoughts and voice back inward. She took him back to his journey from the Desert to the Swamp, back to those quiet days when he had only his own thoughts for company. He hobbled along listening to the Swampsong without adding his own voice to it. He closed his eyes to listen closer and he could almost imagine what Seclusion would sound like singing against this idyllic background.They would meet again, he was sure of it. One day, perhaps, they would swim together where he had more grace and she could get a small taste of what the Desert looked like in the waves of the ocean. He could imagine the day with great clarity and hoped that one day he could draw her away from everything she had ever known in her tribe to see a different side of the Swamp she lived in.
That day was not today though. Today, he walked alone on his twisted legs, a gentle smile on his face even though the ever-present pain persisted.
He was stopping for a rest when the cheetah dropped down in front of him. He startled into stillness. If it meant him harm, he was no match for any predator. He had no legs with which to run or kick, so he could only hope that it was merely curious and not hungry. He stared at the cheetah until, just as suddenly as it had appeared, it spoke, “Congratulations!”
He was surprised until he remembered the eaglehound that had approached him with glowing eyes and a speaking voice. He immediately dipped his head down in a bow, “Thank you.”
He smiled at the thought of jumping, dancing children surrounding Seclusion. He was sure that her tribe and family would welcome them joyously and now he had even more reason to return for a visit.
“I take it you know why I’ve found you,” the cheetah said happily.
“Yes, though I wasn’t expecting you,” he responded just as happily.
“Well, I always enjoy a good surprise.” And Dive could only laugh in response.
“I expect a blessing is in order then.” Her eyes sparkled and she paused before continuing. “I always ask for an answer to a question before I give a blessing.”
“I’d be happy to answer a question,” Dive replied warmly. And he was happy to. He could only imagine that legendaries must seek knowledge and stories however they might and an answer was something he would be happy to provide in exchange for a blessing.
The cheetah considered him carefully before asking, “If you are not comfortable answering this question, I can always come up with a new one, but if you are comfortable, I wonder what you consider the most important lesson you have learned from the struggles you have faced because of your leg injury?”
“Not at all, I would be happy to answer that question.” That was also true; he no longer felt any lingering bitterness about his leg injury. He had fully embraced his life with his singing voice though he could no longer sing.
He thought about his answer carefully before saying, “I think the most important lesson that I have learned from my injury is that life is beautiful, precious, to be enjoyed and that I have to make the most of the life that I have been given. I have learned not to feel bitterness over what I cannot control and to do my best to live a life of gratefulness and happiness.”
The cheetah smiled, a flash of teeth, and nodded. “Thank you.”
Then it was her turn to consider her next words carefully. Finally, she said, “May your children live every moment of their life to its fullest and to find a beautiful eternity between one step and the next.”
Dive found that blessing to be beautiful and he dipped his head gratefully. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“And thank you for sharing a little bit of yourself with me,” the cheetah replied before she turned and disappeared into the trees with a flick of her tail.
Dive smiled up at the canopy. He would soon seek out Seclusion again and tell her of this encounter
