Skullfully

Once, I had been sitting for several hours, outside, over at the nearby university. I was sitting on a low wall, and leaning against the side of the large building. A little bird flew down and landed in front of me. It asked if it could sit upon my shoulder. (Don’t ask me how I knew this – it certainly didn’t speak.) I told it that it could do so. (And in the same manner, I don’t know how I did this – I certainly didn’t speak.)

Then it flew over to land on my shoulder. Unfortunately, I was not used to birds landing on my shoulder, and when its wings got close to the side of my head I became concerned that they might brush against my eyes. So I ducked to the side. The poor birdie fluttered in mid air for a few seconds, its perch (my shoulder) suddenly gone, and then flew to the ground, then flew off. I’m afraid that I wasn’t a very good host.

A couple of years later, I was again sitting for some hours over at the campus. I sat in just the same place as before. This time a dragonfly landed in front of me. Remembering my previous encounter, I invited the dragonfly to sit upon the front of my shirt. (Don’t ask me how I did this – I certainly didn’t speak.) However, it only felt comfortable enough to fly over and sit upon my arm.

We looked at each other amazed. It was iridescent blue, with delicate lacy wings. Its eyes bulged huge above its head. After awhile, I suppose we each were becoming a little bored with our mutual examinations, and I wondered if it might bite me. And then, I sensed that it wondered if I might bite it. Just then he flew away – choosing the more cautious course of action.

These moments truly are precious.