Chapter one
Thing shuffled around inside the cave, he had been searching for something, but had clean forgotten what it was he had been looking for! He stopped in his wanderings to watch some condensation run down the stone wall and make little pools on the ground, Thing found great beauty in these little acts of nature and would find his day constantly interrupted by similar little episodes. Thing was also finding he was getting more and more forgetful lately; maybe it was simply because he was growing older he mused or maybe he just spent too much time alone that his mind began to wander. Ah! Then he suddenly remembered what he had been looking for, he had discovered a young Sparrow Hawk earlier that day that had injured its right wing and he needed to bind up the wound. He eventually found what he had been seeking, some twine he had made out of some knot weed; it was amazingly strong when plaited together, it would do the job most admirably. Trying to hum a tune that had sprang unwarranted into his head Thing made his way over to a small alcove at the rear of the cave, he reached up and took down a small box from the shelf, carefully trying not to disturb its occupant more than he had to. He gently untied the string that bound the lid and peered inside, there was the Hawk cowering in the corner. He lowered his finger and started to
rhythmically stroke the frightened creature’s chest, he could feel the little birds heart thudding against its skin, but eventually with patience, it began to slow and when he judged the moment just right, he reached in and gathered it up firmly in both his enormous hands, very careful not to let the poor creature fly away.
He could feel the bird relax in his grip, it seemed to sense Thing meant it no harm and immediately ceased it’s struggling; he was then able to place it onto his lap and he began carefully binding its injured limb.
Only after Thing was completely satisfied with his handiwork and making sure the bird couldn’t peck at its wound, he placed the Hawk in front of him on the floor and then after reaching into his pocket, scattered some seeds onto the ground. The Sparrow Hawk looked up once at him, with what Thing took to be curiosity and then seeming to make up its mind about him; the bird began to peck at the free meal, thoughts of escape quickly fleeing its head. Several other birds took this as a cue to fly down from their various perches from inside the dark recesses of the cave to join their new friend; these were mostly survivors of Things previous administering though he noticed that there were more and more interlopers lately!
He smiled to himself and threw some more seed onto the floor, feeling good with the world he stepped outside into the morning sun enjoying the feel of its warmth on his face only to be greeted by a host of different animals all very vocal and eager for their breakfast.
There were creatures of every shape and size, foxes, squirrels, rabbits scurried about his feet and even a mangy old cat that had appeared from nowhere one day and constantly brushed against his legs, almost making him stumble. Most of the animals Thing had rescued from various traps or from the jaws of another predator and although most were natural enemies, the amazing thing was that they all got along together, apart from the occasional hiss or raised paw. Thing had to admit this was his favourite time of the day, he reached into a large box and preceded to scatter crusts of bread, vegetables, bones he had found on his travels and scattered them on the ground. There was a great rush and in the ensuing dust cloud, all the diverse animals started to noisily devour their breakfast. Thing sat down on his favourite stone and watched, the sound was like a symphony to him, these were his family, his world and he counted himself very lucky indeed, not many people had this many friends.
Thing shuffled around inside the cave, he had been searching for something, but had clean forgotten what it was he had been looking for! He stopped in his wanderings to watch some condensation run down the stone wall and make little pools on the ground, Thing found great beauty in these little acts of nature and would find his day constantly interrupted by similar little episodes. Thing was also finding he was getting more and more forgetful lately; maybe it was simply because he was growing older he mused or maybe he just spent too much time alone that his mind began to wander. Ah! Then he suddenly remembered what he had been looking for, he had discovered a young Sparrow Hawk earlier that day that had injured its right wing and he needed to bind up the wound. He eventually found what he had been seeking, some twine he had made out of some knot weed; it was amazingly strong when plaited together, it would do the job most admirably. Trying to hum a tune that had sprang unwarranted into his head Thing made his way over to a small alcove at the rear of the cave, he reached up and took down a small box from the shelf, carefully trying not to disturb its occupant more than he had to. He gently untied the string that bound the lid and peered inside, there was the Hawk cowering in the corner. He lowered his finger and started to
rhythmically stroke the frightened creature’s chest, he could feel the little birds heart thudding against its skin, but eventually with patience, it began to slow and when he judged the moment just right, he reached in and gathered it up firmly in both his enormous hands, very careful not to let the poor creature fly away.
He could feel the bird relax in his grip, it seemed to sense Thing meant it no harm and immediately ceased it’s struggling; he was then able to place it onto his lap and he began carefully binding its injured limb.
Only after Thing was completely satisfied with his handiwork and making sure the bird couldn’t peck at its wound, he placed the Hawk in front of him on the floor and then after reaching into his pocket, scattered some seeds onto the ground. The Sparrow Hawk looked up once at him, with what Thing took to be curiosity and then seeming to make up its mind about him; the bird began to peck at the free meal, thoughts of escape quickly fleeing its head. Several other birds took this as a cue to fly down from their various perches from inside the dark recesses of the cave to join their new friend; these were mostly survivors of Things previous administering though he noticed that there were more and more interlopers lately!
He smiled to himself and threw some more seed onto the floor, feeling good with the world he stepped outside into the morning sun enjoying the feel of its warmth on his face only to be greeted by a host of different animals all very vocal and eager for their breakfast.
There were creatures of every shape and size, foxes, squirrels, rabbits scurried about his feet and even a mangy old cat that had appeared from nowhere one day and constantly brushed against his legs, almost making him stumble. Most of the animals Thing had rescued from various traps or from the jaws of another predator and although most were natural enemies, the amazing thing was that they all got along together, apart from the occasional hiss or raised paw. Thing had to admit this was his favourite time of the day, he reached into a large box and preceded to scatter crusts of bread, vegetables, bones he had found on his travels and scattered them on the ground. There was a great rush and in the ensuing dust cloud, all the diverse animals started to noisily devour their breakfast. Thing sat down on his favourite stone and watched, the sound was like a symphony to him, these were his family, his world and he counted himself very lucky indeed, not many people had this many friends.
