THE TRAVELLER
It was early in the morning in the village. Shopkeepers were opening up their stores and the golden sun shone brightly. People cycled past with their children, while some
played football. I could hear the sound of hammers and drills as I strolled into town. Children stared at me in admiration as they followed me. Some folks were sitting down at a café sipping cups of chocolate. A group of ladies looked at me, so I gave them a quick wink to keep them satisfied.
Soon I came to a huge crowd, I took off my cloak and gave it to a little girl with curly hair. I could tell by her expression that she felt quite honoured and lucky to be holding my cloak. When I gave the deep red cloak to her, she hugged it tightly, then the priest blessed me. As I climbed up the ladder, the crowd watched intently. When I got up on a little wooden platform, I began to focus. The crowd fell silent. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck. I picked up the staff that lay before me and began to walk along the thin rope.
A quarter of the way across, I suddenly heard birds. I feared they might distract me, but luckily they went away. I was about half way when I slipped! I lost my balance; I lost the staff! I wobbled from side to side but managed to regain my balance and carried on. Eventually I got to the other side and the crowd erupted into applause.
I took a bow and the crowd parted as I went to retrieve my cloak. Following me as if I were the Pied Piper, the children mimicked my every move, as the crowds scattered. When I reached the town gate, the children turned and walked in different directions back to their homes and I left the town.
|
