The Albatross

 The Albatross

                Once, above the spumey, gloompy shores of a cold water shore, a magnificent albatross flew. Flying almost constantly, as albatross are known to do, they became bored.

                “Goodness is it dull up her,” they thought, “certainly I’m strong enough and smart enough to live as I have forever, but where is the fun in that. I fear I’ll never find a mate at this point, and moreover I fear I no longer want one.”

                Stewing in their boredom, the albatross looked to the earth, the more varied picture of the two directions that it ever mattered for it to peer at. And, in the cliffs of the beach at low tide, they saw a sizeable cave built into the side of the cliff naturally.

                “I shall go and inspect this cave.” The albatross threw to the empty air alone. “Perhaps it will prove more intriguing than this vacuous openness.”

                Descending into the warmer air rising off of the exposed, cooking barnacles and seaweed, the albatross was immediately taken in by this new way of life. The creatures of the beach spurt water at them, popped, and clicked in welcome. “Enjoy your stay noble creature, until once again you fly away”

                The cave was cozy and empty, just large enough and too high to interest any intruders. “This is lovely,” they thought, “cool and damp, and just outside is the varied landscape that so oft entertained me as I soared about. Tomorrow, I shall inspect it more thoroughly, but tonight I will relish this new kind of rest.”

                The next day the albatross floated down the shore annoyed at using their wings again, and walked about the beach. They began gently nibbling on the sea life below.

                “Welcome albatross!” The life beneath them said. “Eat your fill during your stay, but please avoid me,” All the crabs and limpets, and barnacles said, as the albatross ate its fill.

                “Tasty and polit,” remarked the albatross as they snapped up another crab, “perhaps I shall stay longer than I thought.” And stay they did.

                Day after day the albatross flew down from their cave and back up to their cave, eating their fill as they walked and leaving their wings pinned to their sides as a point of principal. The creatures of the beach welcomes slowly grew more hostile.

                Where before the streams of water shot up from the same were playful, now they were aimed at the eyes of the albatross, crabs would desperately claw at their throat, and the barnacles became rock hard to annoy their feet.

                At first, the albatross barely noticed, they ate their fill every day and lived as their whims directed. But, one day as the albatross was scooping a drying jellyfish into its gullet, they heard a weak voice.

                “You know the creatures of the shore have grown to hate you.” The dying creature warned. “I supposed I’d tell you as a courtesy, as I will die of your beak or the sun all the same.”

                “Goodness, I had no idea,” The albatross said, “we got along so well, just a time ago.”

                “Yes, well regardless of how things were, now they hate you and have resolved to call the god of nature upon you, to punish you for staying on their shore and preying on them when God intends you to fly away after a time.” The jellyfish said, so relaxed now they were similar to soup and much harder to eat.

                “I have yet to meet this ‘God of Nature’ but I will obey their decree should they give one.” The albatross remarked as they curtly slurped up their conversation partner.

                Then the day arrived when the god of nature blew in on the winds, wreathed in a great billowing castle towering in the sky. The seafoam below roiled into a soft carpet for her feet to trample down as the God of Nature arrived where she had always already been.

                The albatross, creature of the shore, other birds, and even curious sea citizens were in attendance, eager to know what the God of would decide. She looked and listed in rapt attention.

                “This albatross has perverted the order of your creation!” The limpets whined. “They have stayed too long here and preyed us up, abusing freedoms you have gifted them.” The crabs opined. “They have all but eaten us dead!” Shrieked the still plentiful barnacles. The raucous noise was very unpleasant for all in attendance. The other, smaller birds had varied, uncurious opinions while the creatures of the sea just relished in the drama.

                Unable to hide her boredom, the god of nature hissed for a question between a wave and a rock. “What do you have to say in your defense albatross?”

                Thinking carefully, it spoke. “I am sorry that my decisions have angered the creatures of the shore, and my desire was never to harm them or be vicious. I simply acted in a way that my abilities, body, and mind allowed me to. I thought that right and wrong were the squabblings of men, who have done more than I have to the creatures of the shore than I, and do not receive their hatred.” Said the Albatross, representing their true heart.

                “The albatross in correct.” Said the God of Nature.” Should you wish for a God that cares about your feelings, thoughts, or opinions, you should not have invoked Me. Your deaths, suffering, and failures have always been part of my design and intent. And so, by doing whatever it wishes and is able to do, it has not broken any of my laws.” The beach echoed in stunned silence.

                As the sun set, and the shafts of sunlight bent into the waves, the lengths of the gods’ arms bent as she leaned into the shore with a knowing smile. “However, if the creatures of the shore still wish for me to intercede on their behalf, I shall.”

                Immediately the limpets spewed. “Do it! Kill them for their perversion!” “Slay them! They will fail to produce more creatures for your realm if they never leave this shore!” The crabs said, more concerned for the health of their future children, they did nothing but create. “It’s for their own good!” The barnacles said, not knowing what good meant.

                “Very well.” The God of Nature said. “I shall make this place unlivable for the albatross.” And with a swift kick she cleft the earth in twain from the depths of the sea to the top of the mountain.

                Furious magma spilled from the mountain and roiling fumes from the boiling ocean well and truly cook the creatures of the shore before they were buried by the flowing red death. The creatures of the sea fled to colder waters, the birds flew to other islands. They would not forget the Gods lessons soon.

                The albatross took to the skies again, unhappy to return to an uncomfortable life because of the foolishness of the dead creatures. But, they smiled, for they knew there were other shores, that may be wiser and kinder.

 

The End