The Angel and the Cygnet (2)

One day a bright white dot seemed to be falling from the blue sky. Birds and fowl at the pond looked up guessing it was a large bird.

 

Instead she is a very beautiful angel. What a surprise. Here? An angel? Her name is Esther. And she is lost.

 

She landed on top of a poplar tree that leans across a small pond. One wing is stuck between two branches. "Help me" is a cry of pain that travels across the valley.

 

"HEEELLLLP MEEEEE!!" was the answering cry of an echo.

 

At first it appeared no one was around. But there was. Suddenly frogs burped and gulped in wonder. Who was this stranger in their midst? They had watched that tumbling from the sky until tall branches stopped the falling.

 

"What can we do?" asked the frogs. Their little eyes and noses could barely be seen amongst the lily pads.

 

"Anything," the angel answered. "Climb up if you can and help me get loose."

 

"We can't climb trees," croaky voices squeaked.

 

The angel twisted high above. One branch broke suddenly and she dropped to a lower resting place. Nothing broken. Yet.

 

Esther was on a mission for God, to see if their planned Christmas Party was more than just gifts and treats. And would there be love and caring for each other too?

.

"Is anyone else around?" Esther whispered.
 

A new family of ducks arrived from the lily pads. They had been busy feeding on vegetation and insects.

 

"Quack! Quack!" they called to the stranger. "Are you in trouble?" the oldest one named Mia asked.

 

"Yes, please help me," the angel's voice pleaded.

 

“Let me try" Davy, a young duck called out. He scampered across the water and launched into space. The best he could do was to get a closer look at the problem.

 

His wings brushed against several limbs and Esther fell two branches lower.

 

The commotion startled a bushy red squirrel who rushed around the trunk. He didn't know what else to do. He even hung upside down to get a better view.

 

An eagle high above flew lower to help. But his wings were too wide to get close.

 

A young cygnet named Bailey swam into view. She wasn't very big. But was brave and had a kind heart. She twisted her neck and peered through trembling leaves.

 

"Are you scared?" Her words drifted slowly upwards. "I think I can help you," she said confidently.

 

"How?" Esther answered.

 

"Just let go of the branches."

 

"Let go?" Esther answered fearfully. "But I'll fall."

 

"I'll catch you," she said.

 

"But you're so little. How?"

 

"If  you let go you’ll land on my back," she answered.

 

"Are you sure it will work?" the angel asked.

 

"Have faith," Bailey said.

 

Esther did have faith. After all, she was an angel.

 

Esther let go of the branch and dropped once again. This time she scooted in a straight line through leaves and branches. It was as if a perfect trail prepared the way.

 

Down and down she went. Past the watchful eye of a hawk and the sight of an eagle. Even past bushy red.

 

Esther made a perfect landing right on top of Baily’s feathery back. The shock scared a raccoon hanging from a nearby limb. He ran up the tree.

 

"Thanks and more thanks," were words barely heard above the angel's thumping heart. Esther flapped her wings slowly, back and forth. Then flew around a little, testing for any broken bones.

 

Good. Everything was fine. Esther was invited to join their Christmas Party. Various birds including ducks, geese, and frogs held races, shared snacks and chattered happily in friendship.

 

Now she prepared to leave and give a great report to God.

                                                                                                         

Bailey’s eyes grew large at the beautiful sight before her. A glow around the angel called Esther turned her brighter than the morning sun.

 

"I wish I could be beautiful like you," the cygnet said.

 

"You will," answered the angel. "One day every creature in the forest will stare at your beauty."

 

"Oh sure," the cygnet said. "Compared to all those colorful ducks, I look ugly."

 

Esther smiled as she flapped her wings and said, "Have faith."

 

And a little cygnet named Bailey did grow into a most beautiful swan in the forest.

 

                                              

© 2018 Richard & Esther Provencher