Driving home after lunch at a local steak house, my son and I were quiet. My mind wandered. I looked out the window at the naked trees--stiff, brittle, and woody-- but in the late sunlight the bare branches somehow looked soft as grass. Wispy. A giantess could dip the branches into mud makeup and apply color to her humungous cheeks with a tree, I think.
I asked David, "If a giant--a really huge one--were standing in the woods, would the trees feel soft to him?"
"What do you mean?"
"Would the trees feel soft to someone so much bigger than they are? The way moss feels soft to us?"
"Moths?"
"Mosssssss, " I say. "If something very tiny were driving through a moss forest, the moss might feel stiff and tree-like, even though it's soft to us."
"Why would the giant have to be so big, Mom?" he asks, and I think he doesn't understand.
"He has to be big enough to step on trees," I say.
"There are some very small things we could step on that would feel sharp. Like thistles. It's not about the size. It's about what things are made of."
He's right. If giants step on a tree, they better be wearing boots. Trees would be sharp, even for giants. Massive splinters!
When we pull into the driveway, Dave says, "What super-power would you rather have? Being invisible or able to fly?"
I picture my mid-life body struggling to stay afloat in the air while I frantically flap my arms. Who wants the neighbors to see that?
"Can I be invisible while I fly?"
"No. One or the other."
"Then definitely invisible," I say. "Besides, I'm afraid of heights."
"Well, you wouldn't need to be if you could fly, " he says.
That's logical.
And I suppose if I could fly I wouldn't need to flap my arms frantically, I think. I'd soar effortlessly. But I don’t change my mind. Invisible is better. More useful.
Back to reality, when we get in the house Dave goes down stairs to study for a poly-sci test. He'll drive back to campus tomorrow.
I make tea, and think some more. I love taking to Dave. He's fun. He humors me. He gets me. He'll talk about giants. And super powers.
We all need at least one person in our life who does that.
~~~~~
Comments
I think I'd go for invisible myself as there are days when I feel like that anyone! Also, I'm not real keen on heights either so even though it would be great to see things from a bird's eye view, I think I'd rather sneak around and climb trees!
It is lovely to dream and to dream with someone :)
BTW Flying, not in an aeroplane, but with a paraglider or hang glider is everything you dream it to be and more. (You are only afraid of heights when on the ground).
I don't think I would like to be invisible, Life is difficult enough :(
Not much else happened, but just being there was enough. I usually woke up then, wishing I were still back in my dream...
I used to wonder if giants in the Universe might stride across it, and a heel rest on our whole earth. Not so bad, perhaps, the sneeze of some Cosmic Giant sending us all flying to Alpha Centauri.
Lesson, perhaps, is to be careful where WE step, and where we fly, and what we lean on!
I don't dream of flying often now, and I never had to flap my arms/wings, and I always "flew" upright, facing where I was going, often at considerable speed, hardly aerodynamic, but in dreams physics doesn't always matter I guess.
British Summer Time begins tonight! Soon enough it will still be light as midnight approaches, and light again before four in the morning. Hurrah!
R.
In my dreams, I fly now and then. It's amazing; I can hover a foot off the ground and go anywhere or fly a couple thousand feet high with my arms outstretched
That's my preference. Were I invisible, the temptation for mischief would be too great for a person of my weak character. So flying it is.
Bob
The pictures you posted to tell your story are perfect.
You are so gifted with words Ruth.
Love and Hugs
Wanda
You have wonderful flights of fancy! Stay visible, please.
Carter
I have similar conversations with my son. It's wonderful when someone pushes us beyond our regular, comfortable thought patterns.
Peace - D
Let's get together soon.
jen
Very nice post.
Alice