The Feathered Love

Back in March, I found my true love.

Or at least that's what I believed back then. Her name was said to be ''Arundo'' but I just called her ''Aru''. She is a tall, slender, lovely beauty. Her skin was like an adorable emerald and her fibrous hairs were the object of my affection. In my eyes, she was the most beautiful thing on the face of the earth .

Unlike me, Aru was not a travelling nomad. In fact, we were so different in almost everything— traditions, culture, society, personality, intelligence, and most importantly, nature. That's apparently the reason why my fellow comrades were complaining about our relationships, saying things like "it's a ridiculous attachment'', ''She has no money and far too many relations.'', ''What a worthless girlfriend!''. But I didn't care. From my assumption, they were just jealous of our true romance and gossiping over nothing. I admit that she always has a myriad of siblings and kins all around her. But for me, she was the only one. 

Early in the spring, I was chasing a big yellow moth down the river. I was expecting to feast on my prey that day, but I failed my chance. Perhaps God took pity upon me, so I first met my beloved Arundo on the river-bank instead. I was completely captivated by the magnificent beauty of her slender waist. She was standing willowily and gloriously amidst her densely populous tribe.

I was by no means a discourteous person. But I was one of a kind who liked to get to the point immediately, and there is a proverb—'' The first key to open the door of love is speed''. So I stopped my flight and said genuinely,

'' Shall I love you?''

Although she just made a low bow, I took it as a yes. Therefore, I flew round and round her, touching the water with my wings, splashing ripples which glittered like stars. That was my style of courtship, and it lasted all through the summertime. Before I knew it, it's already September.

Since the deadly cold of winter was approaching through the fall, all of my friends were about to leave the northern lands to take shelter in the southern deserts. They gave me one final chance to come with them to avoid the slow wrath of nature. And just like the case with the yellow moth, I failed my chance again by refusing them. When the autumn came, they all flew away to Egypt. Only I stayed behind in the name of love.

At first, I was glad that there's no more annoying critics and enjoyed my time with Aru. But six weeks after they had gone, I felt lonely and began to tire of my eccentric lady-love. My passionate flames of love were slowly countered by the heraldic chill of the season. My disillusionment with her grew more and more each day. Although I first thought it's just a communication issue, she might be actually dumb because she had no conversation with me this whole year.

Was my judgement wrong or did she never reciprocate my love from the very beginning? Besides, I mildy suspected that Arundo was a coquette with two faces. Whenever the gentle wind blew, she made the most graceful curtsies ever as if she was trying to flirt with the zephyr. Was she a devotee of Lord Zephyros or a damsel with a fetish for wind? Whether it's true or not, I didn't actually mind it because I knew it would be futile to court the forces of nature just like Clytia tried with the sun. But then, I too realized something for myself.

Although I acknowledged her domestic personality, I could not ignore a basic difference between us. I love travelling, and my wife, consequently, should love travelling also. Before my disappointment and disillusionment took over, I gave her one last chance.

''Aru, will you come away with me?'' I said to her.

But Arundo shook her head. It seemed that her attachment to her fluvial home was greater than my attachment to her. She failed her chance just like I failed my chance back in the days. Reaching beyond my limits, I said with a cry,

''Alas, you have been trifling with me''.

And then, I lifted my wings and soared to the mid-air.

'I am off to the Pyramids. Good-bye!' I said and flew away in the southern direction.

Well, at least I left her with words.

Come to think of it, I don't think I regretted it. Maybe because I realized a greater noble truth and a warmer compassionate love afterwards. Or maybe because I am now in a place where there are no tears nor grief of any kind.

That's right, there are only melodious songs of happiness and feathered love in this Garden of Light.