The Joy of Humming
Once there was a beautiful
hummingbird called Dart because she darted so quickly from flower to flower.
Her humming echoed in the small gusts of wind that followed her flight.
Florence was a hummingbird who flew at a slower pace. Dart’s pattern
zooming through the garden shimmered like tiny rainbows. Florence’s
pattern was slower and the straw of her beak lingered longer in each drinking.
One twilight, Dart fluttered through the shadows of a mimosa tree as Florence
came from the far corner of the garden. Florence said, “That pale
pink hibiscus is the sweetest flower I have ever tasted.” Dart,
slowing her wings to a stalling smear of blue asked, “What hibiscus?”
“The one below the garden clock,” Florence said. “But
you missed it....the gardener just cut it as a present for his wife.”
Dart never flew swiftly again and, instead of humming, she began to whimper
about missing the sweetest hibiscus. She complained of being weary with
her tired wings heavy with dandruff, and over and over she moaned, “Oh,
if only I had tasted that sweetest hibiscus.” She no longer enjoyed
her friends who were worried about her and went to Raymond the Owl for
his wise counsel. Raymond the Owl said, “Poor Dart’s overloaded
with regret. Until she dismisses the hibiscus she missed, she’ll
never enjoy another morning glory.” Raymond was right. Dart was
carrying a load too heavy for hummingbirds....or for that matter any who
trade the joy of humming for the moaning of regret.
Excerpt
from "Jeannette Clift George, From Center Stage"
