Sunday, November 16, 2003

   Water water everywhere . . .
*Small disclaimer . . .*
In medieval times hardly anyone could swim. Water was like considered deathly evil . . I mean, those people hardly bathed for pete's sake!! And where is some peasant going to find a body of water large and safe enough (let alone the free time) to learn to swim?? Anyway, I bring up this point becuase most people who read my story are confused by this next part; I thought I'd just help you out. n_n

As the boys continued on, the sun grew hot, and they decided to stop for a while. After crossing a stone bridge over a small river, they found relief under the shade of a tree. Jack leaned his head against the trunk and peered up through the branches. Small birds hopped back and forth in the treetop, cheeping at each other. Abruptly the entire flock took to wing and flew to a tree across the river.

Jack’s eyes followed them. “Have you ever thought about flying, Mark?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” Mark asked, puzzled, “I know that birds fly . . .”

“No,” said Jack, turning to look at him, “I mean people flying.”

Mark laughed “What are you talking about?” he said. “People can’t fly—they don’t have wings!”

“I know,” said Jack, “but I’ve been thinking; if birds can fly, why not people? If you could make wings big enough . . .”

“You’re crazy,” Mark said, grinning.

“Maybe I am,” Jack replied, “but that’s what the people in Midsummer said too.” He climbed to his feet, “I’ve already come up with a design, and the models have worked pretty well—if I could only make it bigger . . .” he trailed off as he walked towards the bridge.

“Wait Jack!” Mark said, still leaning against the tree, “I didn’t mean it like that; come back here!” He patted the ground next to him invitingly.

But Jack wasn’t listening. He kicked off his shoes as walked out into the middle of the stone bridge, where he stood contemplating the water some two yards beneath his toes.

“Jack! What do you think you’re doing?” Mark said, sitting up straight. Had Jack really gone crazy? People couldn’t swim anymore then they could fly; everyone knew that! Just what was he thinking?

Despite Mark’s calls, Jack backed up a couple steps, and then, taking a running start, leaped off the bridge into the river, fingers clamped firmly on his nose.

“Jack!” Mark yelled, leaping to his feet and running to the riverbank. “Jack! Where are you?” He stood peering searchingly into the river’s depths; he couldn’t believe what he had just seen.

Suddenly, a shape burst from the water, drenching Mark and half-drowning him. Jack’s grinning face bobbed in the shallows of the river. “Got you,” he said

“got me?” Mark asked incredulously, his voice rising rather higher than he could have wanted. “Scared me to half to death is more like it! What do you think you’re doing?”

“Swimming,” Jack replied, grinning broadly, “It’s too hot for my taste.”

“But where did you learn to swim?” Mark asked, his mind spinning. “I didn’t think anybody could swim.”

“I taught myself. Come here and I’ll show you how, too.”

“That’s okay,” Mark said, backing away, “I think I’ll keep my feet on dry ground for now.”

“Suit yourself,” Jack said, and turned a backwards somersault in the water.

Mark went and slumped beneath the tree again, shaking his head, a slight smile on his face. One thing certainly was true, he thought as he watched Jack swimming and splashing around: traveling with Jack was never dull.

Comments (3)