Short, Sweet and Green

‘It is love that will come to the rescue’. And come it did, or so we think.

The proverb ignorance is bliss has much freedom. It allows us to appreciate the world for what it should be, not for what it is. It allows us to live without regret and fear of what may come; and most importantly it gave Bodhi the courage to set off on his treacherous path to healing. He adopted this ignorance and chose to move on from his ruined home.

A familiar sound of lullabies rung through the forest. The sun hid below the horizon, playfully scattering its rays in the atmosphere to pave way for the stars, which played peek-a-boo throughout the twilight sky, basking in the delicate glow of the full moon. Dragonfly the size of Tinker Bell whistled hymns, which echoed in chorus, calling upon the mighty powers of Pantheism. The pretty flora sprayed all shades of Rainbow out towards the creek, which bubbled alive with creatures of all heights and widths. The trees artistically sneezed pollen, signalling to the world that they were ready for the next stage of life. But what this landscape of feigning freedom neglected to envision was one integral part of existence; the one thing no creature could exist without: death.

Bodhi startled awake. His reoccurring nightmare refused to leave him in peace. He found himself on a hillside just outside the city border. He towered over his once majestic city. Beyond lay the vast ocean which once homed rare and extinct creatures, but here too did they rot away, in fear of humanity’s deception, neglect and corruption. The sun was creeping up to remind the world that it must continue to live in hell if they wish to die in the heavens. It was time for Bodhi to leave.

Minutes turned to hours and hours morphed into days. During his journey, Bodhi rested under rock piles and in the safety of thick overgrown bushes and shrubs. He was painfully exhausted. The moment Bodhi left the city he called his home, he could sense rising fear and anxiety.

Eleven days later, disaster struck. However, it came in a rather unexpected shape and form…

Bodhi resumed his journey at the brink of dawn. The day brought an abundance of light, an atmosphere he had not seen for some time. But it took a sudden turn. The earth grew cold, the wind blew through his soul and the earth began to move. All his muscles locked, but before he knew it the worst was over and sky began to clear up.

Bodhi sprinted out the woods, but not a minute had passed before he heard a shrill for help. His instincts kicked in and his senses directed him to the screaming. He met the victim in utter confusion, for it was only a feeble olive coloured bird perched on a tree branch, mimicking a cry for help. Bodhi looked around and as his eyes lay back on the branch on which the bird was resting, he found it to have disappeared, but the screaming was still to be heard.

Something was wrong. Bodhi ran back to solid ground as fast as his malnourished legs could take him, but it was in vain. A tar pit freshly disguised as the earth welded his poor legs and rendered them unmoveable. Before he could scream for help, the ear-piercing scream he heard just moments ago began to ring in his ears once more.

Stood not few feet in front of Bodhi was a miniature green man. Everything about it was green, except its skin, which glowed a subtle tan and perhaps even its eyes which glimmered with shades of red and green. Its eyes purred and flickered in all directions, until at last, they rested on the frightened boy.

Bodhi was unaware of the existence of mythical creatures, like all children, he too thought they were figments of history’s imagination, and if truth be told, he secretly wished the wonderful tales and horrors he was told as a child were factual, for they would have made the world a more exciting place. However, seeing the supernatural at first hand made him quiver in absolute fear.

The Leprechaun made it clear that it only wanted one thing: dinner. However, this particular one made an exception, for it had never seen a young boy and thus was mildly intrigued. It poked and prodded Bodhi, which only made him sink faster. Bodhi knew he had to say or do something, but before he could muster the courage to, the Leprechaun began speaking.

It patronisingly apologised for the ‘sticky situation’ it put Bodhi in and introduced itself as ‘Mr Jaitun’. Jaitun swiftly moved on to provide Bodhi with two options: make a wish and if he liked it then Bodhi was free. However, if he did not, the Leprechaun would finally be able to eat supper for the first time in many moons.

This, for the young boy, was an easy task. He wished for no one ever to have to suffer the loss of a loved one. Upon hearing the final word, Jaitun’s composure changed so drastically it startled Bodhi. It became one of intense sorrow, grief and pain. His hard stance softened, and his murderous glare morphed into pity and compassion.

Jaitun informed Bodhi that his wish was one that could not be granted. The creature’s gaze quickly flashed to the left and within the blink of an eye he had transformed from Leprechaun to the same olive-green bird that was perched on the branch, and flew away leaving Bodhi sinking deeper into the tar.

The black goo had reached to the base of his ribs, and now that the evil essence of the creature had disappeared it felt as though he was sinking much faster. He screamed and screamed. It was all futile. The tar had reached passed his shoulders when he decided to let go.

Perhaps it was a ruse or perhaps the creature left Bodhi to die alone in the burning tar. Bodhi had always hoped his saving grace to be an act of love, but instead ‘pain regained its prominence, and hope and happiness withered away in darkness.’