Linda Mueller - Whale

I’d come into town for some peace, to breathe in the sea air, to gaze at the waves. The whale was a bonus. He was close to the shore, taking his time cutting through the water, spouting up high. I could see the top of his sleek body just above the water.

“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” came a voice next to me. I turned to see a wrinkly old man clutching a walking stick with one hand and the railing with the other. “Makes you realise how simple life can be, if we allow it to be.”

“Simple?” I questioned.

“If we just go with the flow. Let things wash over us. Rise up when we need to but know when to move on.”

“I like that idea. But it’s just an idea. Simple isn’t always simple.”

“Well, that may be so. But when it’s not simple, that’s when it’s good to come here and just watch the ocean. Focus on the waves. Breathe in the salt air. Let the sun warm your body. But you already know all that. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. You’d still be at home worrying about whatever’s worrying you.”

“Oh!” I didn’t know what else to say because, really, he’d nailed it.

“We can’t expect simple to be forever because that will never happen. But if it’s just for a few moments this time then maybe next time it might be more than a few moments. Enjoy what you  get. I’ve had my few moments so I’ll be off now. Have a lovely day.”

“Ummm...yes, you too.”

Just then the whale breached and I turned to see if he had seen it as well but he was gone. I looked back to the ocean as the whale disappeared into the deep blue waves. Simple.