"Fragile"

Cherry

By Penny4athought

Thu, 06 Feb 2025
  • 306 reads
18 comments
 

The cardinal singing in the evergreen tree gave her hope; good things would come to pass. It had been too long since she’d had hope.

She hadn’t dared dream of good fortune, knowing full well bad fortune would be listening and all too happy to prove her wrong. So her hope stayed small, tiny enough not to be detected. A hope for something bigger would be crushed on inkling.

There was a time she’d had boundless optimism and walked through life confident in her happy abandon - but that was before. Now, she almost couldn’t remember it, but sometimes a glimmer of it invaded her dreams.

She’d wake up in a nebulous glow until reality’s harsh sunlight opened her eyes.

 

The cardinal didn’t fly away when she opened the window and crumbled bread crumbs on the sill for it; it turned its feathered head to look at her and upped its song to a new level of beauty then flew down from the tree landing close to her hand, accepting her offering of food.

Her heart swelled with gratitude at its trust and…dare she think it…hope?

Certificate 12
Story
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

A wonderful little piece, and what an amazing bird! We don't have them in the UK - are they common where you are?

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Oh yes Insert- cardinals are very common birds here; they're not shy either. If I forgot to refill the bird feeder they would look in the back window to tell me they were waiting. They're beautiful birds and a joy to see in my garden.

Thank you for the cherries - it too was a lovely sight.smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by celticman on

hope is all we have, sometimes, literally, waiting for bread crumbs. 

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

absolute truth Celticman. 

Penny4athought

Submitted by Ed Crane on

Keeping it moving on

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Thank you Ed.

Penny4athought

Submitted by marandina on

That's a poignant vignette and, I imagine, of particular significance just now. Yes, hope springs eternal and in places you least expect :)

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

So true Marandina- hope is always an option if we look for it, but sometimes- it's hard to see the glimmer. smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

An indication of the good things and blessings and occupations that are still around to encourage while this life lasts that can threaten to overwhelm with its many sadnesses and troubles and losses. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

You make an excellent observation Rhiannon - There are signs of hope if we look for and embrace them. Nature has always been a comfort to me and more so lately. smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Finding that glimmer of hope in the cardinal bird is such a gift. You bring to mind nature at its best in this story Penny.

Thoughtful and engaging to read.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

So kind of you to say that Jenny- I'm glad you felt engaged in the story and you  are correct, nature is a gift and one we need to appreciate more and protect. It can restore our spirit, our sense of wonder and purpose if we listen and let it.smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by airyfairy on

Feeling hope in beauty is an important handhold. The next one will come.

A lovely piece of writing, Penny.

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Thank you airyfairy; I appreciate your kind words.smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

A ray of hope, however small is something to cherish. Nature moves on, continuously renewing itself and showing us that we all have this level of earthly resilience. There is nothing more optimistic than the sound of a bird singing.

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

So very true Jane; nature can replenish the spirit and bird songs are uplifting.smiley

Penny4athought

Submitted by Kris on

IMO.... many times, moments of hope, beauty, song & sun, arrive in crumbs & small bits of hope, beauty, song & sun... moments in passing time, forever captured in this piece.....

I'm thankful I read this JoAnne* (cheers)*angel

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

Thank you Kris for your lovely comment; I'm happy you found the hope within it.smiley

Penny4athought