Chapter 2: Bird, River, and the Sea.
Legend reckons there is a very high mountain, in eastern Asia, which they call “Sky.” They name it Sky, just because of its height. At the foot of this mountain, there is a large “Rock.” And, flowing from under the rock is, an ice-cold stream. This stream later turns out to be a “River.” The entire natives in the area use this river, for their convenience.
Owing to the coolness of the water they call it the river “Quench.” Well, Quench gains many friends but her dearest friend is a little bird name “Jeff.” Quench and Jeff share much company spending lots of time together, when possible. As long as Jeff is in the area, he would never drink or, take a bath anywhere else, but at Quench.
The minute Jeff turns up to see Quench, there would be bubbles flowing, everywhere, all over in the water. That is how Quench always greets Jeff; actually, Jeff enjoys seeing lots of bubbles in the water too, especially, when he is going to take his bath. Now, one of Jeff’s ways of greeting Quench is by singing; so, whenever, he visits for his bath; he would sing a praise song.
After a long bath; Jeff would take a drink; then, dried himself off, and oil his feathers. Once grooming is done: he would just spread his wings; stretch his legs, rest for a while, and watch the flowing bubbles. He was very much in love with Quench; so much so, that once he is there; it was hard for him to leave. Then, instead of rushing home: he would jump back into he water, this time only for a swim, and to clean up the stream.
To help keep Quench clean is, what Jeff loves to do. There were times, when he would soar a distance down stream, just to get rid of obstacles that, could hinder flowing progress, from the water. The whole truth is this: Jeff is not for the things that might prevent progress. Helping a friend! You could say it is one of his strong points.
Anyway, there was a day when Quench, and Jeff were having fun as usual, then Jeff’s grandmother Mary calls for him to come home. It was close to suppertime, and also, few hours from bedtime. Mary’s call for Jeff made Quench very quite. All her bubbles were disappearing; and the flowing water went silently sad. Jeff, observing the quietness he realizes that, there was something wrong with Quench. In fact, he also became very sad too, in such a way; he didn’t feel like leaving that evening.
Mary calls out for him again; he then, bid goodbye to Quench and went home. In the house, Jeff was still very sad; actually, he was sick with worry. He was wondering about his friend Quench. Well, it didn’t take Mary, his grandmother long to become aware of Jeff’s sadness. “What’s the trouble Jeff?” She asked! Jeff replied. “See grandma, it is not really me something is wrong with; but it is my friend Quench.”
“What’s troubling her?” asked Mary. Jeff explained, “as soon as you called for me to come home, all the bubbles began to vanish; and leaving the water flowing quietly sad.” Grand! I am really worried about Quench. “How can we help?” He asked Mary. Then, said Mary to him, “you have your supper, you worry too much.” Later, Jeff asked Mary again, “Grand do you have any idea, what might be the trouble with my friend Quench, my very best friend?” No, replied Mary. Continued to speak, she said this “I’m sorry but I haven’t got a clue of what may be her problem.”
Jeff, are you sure Grand? She replied. “Oh yes! I’m very sure so, stop worrying, you go get cleaned up and change, say your prayer, and go off to bed.” With sadness in his voice Jeff said okay Grand; they kissed good night; he walked towards his bedroom but just before he closed the door; he shouted, “Granny, do rivers have grandmothers too?” Oh yes! Answered, Mary! “Their grandmother is the Sea.”
Jeff went to bed, and as sleep fell upon him, he had a dream. In his sleep he saw a fairy. This fairy, which he saw, in his dream told him this; “the reason for your friend’s sadness is because, she cannot reach her grandmother the “Sea” it is too far away.” The following morning, Jeff was up early; then, he went to see Quench. The water was still flowing very silently; there wasn’t a single bubble in sight; and sadness didn’t disappear.
“Cheer up!” Jeff said to his friend. “I have good news for you today. Yesterday, when I left you were very sad, and upon me also, fell sadness, because of that, I did not sleep well; however, I must have slept a little; for I had a dream, and in this dream which I had I saw a fairy, who told me all about the reason for your sadness.” The fairy, which I saw told me this; “you are sad because you want to meet with your grandmother; but it doesn’t seem possible.”
Knowing this! Said Jeff “I taught of a way to let you meet with her.” The news was of great interest to Quench. Jeff continued to speak he said, “I’m of the opinion, that with determination, you could flow to the Sea. She is your grandmother; then once you get to meet with her, you will be much happier.” When we reach there, said Jeff. “We! Who are we?” Quench sadly asked. Jeff said “you and me are we; I wouldn’t dare to let you go alone.”
Quench! “Oh Jeff, you are such a good friend to me; you are a real friend indeed, and with wishful thinking.” Here Jeff said! “I’m going to turn my wishful thinking into reality for you. Meeting with your grandma you must, you’ll see her in her glory. You shall see all those mountainous, beautiful waves. Oh! Quench you’ll be so thrilled; you will never be sad, whenever, my grandmother calls for me again.”
Quench! “Jeff, Jeff! I can just picture the wonderful sights. With all that beauty there, it is so great to imagine; surely, I’d love to go, and to see everything; even, the beautiful shore. Nonetheless, Jeff, haven’t you forgotten something? I dried up ten miles from here; also, consider the distance, and my responsibility. My duty here is very demanding.”
I have to think about all the lives, which are depending upon me, for regular drink, such as human, animals, insects, seen and unseen, even, the plants and weeds that are growing all along my banks. “So, Jeff! My friend, you know my situation? Then, your idea, it sure sounds good, but it is too tall an order; I cannot consider it at present.”
Quench said as she continued to speak; “ I’d suggest that we watch out for the weather; and should the drought disappear; then, who knows? Perhaps, there could be a chance. Only, the sort of drought, which we are having now, it is more than enough to, deem this idea of going to see granny impossible. There is no way that I can flow any farther. No! Not a chance I’m powerless to do so; still, it would be great to meet with my very own grandmother.”
In sadness, Quench kept on grumbling, to herself; she said, “but how under these heavens could it become possible. I just can’t do it, on the other hand, if I could it would be very nice. It is such a shame, such a shame, Quench, kept on.” “Oh! It will be easy,” said Jeff. Looking at Quench with his wings widely spread, and smiling, “Trust me,” he said. “I think I’ve got the solution, for your problem.”
“That’s what I come to tell you, but you won’t give me a fair chance to explain. Listen to me; there is water in the heavens; much water that is where the rain comes from whenever it does rain. Now, I am working on a method to try and make it rain; then, once it starts raining you could begin flowing farther.” “Sound good!” said Quench. But such miracle, who can perform? “Just leave it to me,” replied Jeff.
“You are my friend; I must help you, and your granny you will meet. Again, Jeff said this! I shall get all my bird friends together here, as from tomorrow; and we will sing some of our sweetest songs of praise unto God. I know that He will listen, and thereafter, He shall cause the rain to fall. In addition, once it begins raining we shall sing daily. So, you just wait and see, with each day’s rain; it won’t be long before, you are hugging, with your grandmother.”
The following day the birds came, and sang their songs; actually, they sang even, better than they ever sang in the past; God heard them, and He was pleased; so He let the rain pour down from heaven. The birds continued singing for eight days; and the rain poured periodically for eight more days; until Quench safely flowed to the “Sea.” The sea took her in, and greeted her; she could not be happier.
Jeff was definitely pleased; he and the birds they had done a good job. Quench became one of the longest, and best rivers of the ages. Thanks to the birds, who sang their songs unto God. Readers! Consider this! The same God who listened to the birds, and granted their request, He will also, listen to you and me, with blessings according to our needs.
Saying that might seem as just wishful thinking, but how about Jeff, and his team; “the birds” they put their trust in God; they went to Him on the behalf of Quench, in faithfulness; then, He helped Quench! Our God is always a listening God. Story ends!!!
