Kindness

Robin and OH-WeL

On a low sagging branch of an ancient giant oak tree, sat an Apple Gall being, named OH-WeL. OH-WeL, like all Apple Gall beings, had been created by a oak gall wasp. OH-WeL's host wasp had created Them from the essence of several types of birds. An owl, a duck, a pheasant and a peacock, as well as pollen from a sunflower plant. OH-WeL looked very different, They looked more like an owl with a bad hair day, or better said, a bad “feather” day. Their feathers shot out in all directions from Their body, always giving the impression They had just gone through a wind storm.

When looking at different birds, or other Apple Gall bird types, OH-WeL would always became a little sad. Their sadness always brought on thoughts of, “Why couldn't Our feathers be nice and straight, or as smooth as all the other birds?” This always brought on a felling of being out of place, different, and alone. Feeling like this only made Them want to be alone, away from everyone, only occasionally would They go out and visit a close friend.

Every morning was the same. OH-WeL would start off with trying to cope with Their errant feathers. There was not one feather on Their body which pointed in a same direction, and none were in unison of any kind. Normally it wouldn't be a problem, They would just accept how Their feathers were, and go on with Their day, that was unless They thought about trying to fly. This was generally not a good idea. Because of Their errant feathers, when they tried to take off flying, They would usually end up lying face down on the ground, and having a mouth full of dirt . “Oh, if only We had normal feathers like other birds.”, were always OH-WeL's thoughts.

On one particular morning, after another failed take off attempt, and also while laying on the ground trying to decide what to do next, along came Robin. Robin, was a close friend, who also was an Apple Gall Being. Robin had been created from poinsettia pollen, English Ivy, and elephant essence, hence his trunk. Robin was known throughout the community for being very studious, and always ready to help those in need.

“OH-WeL, my dear friend, it's so good to see you”, said Robin, while lending Them a hand up.

“Oh Robin, hello. It's nice to see you too”, replied OH-WeL.

“You look a little troubled, is there something I can help with?”, asked Robin.

“Oh, We don't know. We are having the usual problem with Our feathers you see. They seem to have a mind of their own and We are not quite sure what to do about it.” said OH-WeL.

“Ah, yes, I can see they're not all lined up like you'd see on other Apple Galls who have wings or their host birds. Would you like me to try and straighten them out?”, asked Robin.

OH-WeL's head shook back and forth, this caused more feathers to fluff up, with some falling to the ground.

“Oh Robin, it will do no good, We have tried everything and nothing seems to work”, said OH-WeL.

Robin was not one to easily give up, especially when it involved a friend, and so decided they should go see “Romera The Wise”. “Romera The Wise” has been the one who always has had answers for each Apple Gall”s problems or questions. “Romera The Wise” was created from great basin bristle-cone pine (one of the oldest living trees on Mother Earth), rosemary, azalea, orchid, owl, eagle, sphinx, and elephant.

“Come on OH-WeL, why don't we go see “Romera The Wise”, I'm sure that's where we can find a solution to this problem of those errant feathers”, said Robin. OH-WeL nodded in agreement and off they went.

Lavender

While walking through the ancient forest on there journey to see “Romera The Wise”, they came upon another friend, Lavender. Lavender was a tall and beautiful Apple Gall being, who always wore a radiant smile. Her Wasp gall had gathered not only essence from lavender, but also forget-me-not flowers, liquid amber, painted lady butterfly, and raccoon. Lavender had an appearance of a walking flower bouquet.

Lavender had not expected to see anyone, and was both, very happy, as well as, surprised to see her two friends. She asked them where they were going. Robin said they were going to see “Romera The Wise”, and then the reason why.

“Oh how wonderful, may I join you?”, asked Lavender. “Also, before we go, I think I might know what could work for your feathers OH-WeL". Sitting on the ground next to Lavender's feet, sat a large colorful bag made from dried Iris leaves. Inside, it was filled with all types of freshly picked flowers, as well as, many other little surprises that They had been found throughout the day. Lavender proceeded to pull out, what looked like, a large purple brush.

“Feel this, it's just like a brush. All we need to do OH-WeL is brush your feathers with it. I'm sure if “Romera The Wise” saw it, They would agree with me”, said Lavender, and then handed the brush to Them.

The dried “purple sage flower brush”, as it was called, was quite large, and indeed, had very very hard “bristles”. Robin ran his fingers along the “bristles” and cried out, “Ouch, that really hurts Lavender. Are you sure this is such a good idea?”

OH-Wel, had also decided to touch the purple sage flower brush, and also said, “Oh dear, that does hurt! Sweet Lavender, We think this might be better used on someone else, possible someone without feathers. We don't think We can use it. They are welcome to join us, if They like, but We think it best to leave the brush in Their bag.”

Robin nodded in agreement, “Yes, let's leave the brush in Their bag”. And so
the brush was put back in Lavender's bag, and the trio headed to see “Romera The Wise”.

Jewel

Walking on the forest path was always very pleasant and calming. The trees were all very tall, as well as, very old. If you walked quietly, and listened closely, you could hear them speaking with one another. Even while, birds and insects fluttered above, and between them, chirping and buzzing away.

As they walked, Lavender turned to OH-WeL and asked, “OH-WeL, why do They want to change Their feathers, We find them quite lovely.”

OH-WeL responded, “Oh Lavender, They are too kind. Our feathers are so difficult, they're not like those on others that have feathers. When We look at others with feathers, We see how they are all nice and smooth. All formed in a way, too, to make flying nice and smooth, and look so lovely while doing so.”

“Yes, We can see they may be a little different from others that have feathers, but We like the difference. It makes Them, well, Them. I would want to have Them no other way.”, said Lavender.

OH-WeL had to think about what Lavender said. They had always thought that having feathers meant being, and looking a certain way. If Lavender was right, then what They had thought true, might not be.

OH-WeL began to say something to Lavender when, the three froze, for suddenly they all heard a loud distressful “Chiiiieeerp” coming from a nearby tree. All three travelers headed in the direction of the painful sounding source.

There, not far up from the ground, on a low branch, sat a very beautiful Apple Gall being they all knew very well, Jewel. Jewel, who was also another friend of the trio, looked in trouble.

Jewel's gall wasp host had used pheasant, duck and pine to create Jewel. Jewel was known for flying all around, gathering shiny trinkets, and any jewelry she could find.

“Dear Jewel, whatever has happened to you?”, asked Lavender.

In a sweet Southern drawl, Jewel said, “Chiiiieeerp, my earrings got caught on a branch as I was tryin to fly away, and now I'm stuck! Chiiiieeerp!”, Jewel replied.

Robin immediately ran to Jewel's aide. With Robin's gentleness and care, the earrings were unwound from the branch, and Jewel was set free. There was a flutter of feather's as Jewel's wings flapped up and down, and suddenly, flight!

“Chiiiieeerp, thank ya all sooo much my dear friends. If ya all had not come along, who knows how long I'd be stuck on that ole branch.” chirped Jewel while flying away. “Chiiiieeerp Chiiiieerp Chiiiierp Chiierp”

Patience and Hope

The trio continued their journey, as well as, discussing OH-WeL's dilemma.

“OH-WeL, We don't know if We have ever told Them this before, but We really do, and always have, liked Their feathers. They have such a lot of them. They have wonderful colors, as well as so many different shapes. Very lovely to look at indeed.”, said Robin.

“Oh, We don't know, We think they're kind of messy, and not as pretty as all those others that have feathers. Not to mention, they don't work very well, as feathers should.”, replied OH-WeL.

“Messy? Goodness no! We would never have described them as messy. Their feathers are unique to Them , they are a part of Them, again, making Them, well again, Them. And yes Robin, We agree, they really are quite lovely.”, added Lavender.

Robin nodded in agreement while saying, “Yes, yes, well said Lavender.”

OH-WeL, with a look of surprise, faced them both,. “Oh, you are both very kind but We would never consider Our self as lovely. Our essence came from owl, pheasant and ducks. Have you seen how beautiful those birds are? We look nothing like any of them, let alone fly like just one of them.” said OH-WeL.

Just as Robin was about to take a step, and say something, Lavender shouted, “ROBIN STOP! Don't step down!” Robin froze with one foot in the air. Looking slowly down at the spot where the next step was to bee, and saw that there sat two little beings, each about the size of a walnut. Robin froze and gently stepped back. They all bent over to see what was there.

Both little beings looked up, and in a very tiny voice, one of them said, “Lavender, it is so good to see Them, and we are very thankful you saw us in time”

Lavender reached down and picked both little beings up, then turned to introduced them to Robin and OH-WeL. “We would like to introduce Hope and Patience, two more of my very good friends. Patience and Hope, We would like Them to meet two of my other good friends, Robin and OH-WeL.”

Patience and Hope were also Apple Gall Beings, having been created with the essence of snail, armadillo and walnuts. They were created at the same time, yet by two different gall wasp having each lain their egg on the same leaf.

Robin and OH-WeL both bowed in greeting to Patience and Hope.

“Whatever are They doing on the pathway my friends?”, asked Lavender.

Patience replied, “We are headed to see “Romera The Wise” and it's taking us such a long time to get there. So we were hoping someone would come along and give us a ride.”

“Yes, but if Lavender would not have seen Them both, They would have been stepped on!”, said Robin, a little anxiously.

“Our names are Patience and Hope for a reason. We hoped if we waited patiently, someone would come along, as they always do, and this time they did. We never doubted it for a moment.” replied Hope.

With eyes wide open, OH-WeL looked at them both in complete surprise, “Oh, you weren't afraid you wouldn't be seen? You are rather small, and would have been easy enough to step on.”

“No, no, one of our essence is from armadillo. Our shells are harder than any material found, it does not break. If you step on us, you'll hurt your foot.” Patience said with a smile.

Then to prove their point, both closed their shells around themselves, and looked like tiny metal balls.

“That is amazing!”, said both Robin and OH-WeL at the same time.

Patience and Hope unrolled themselves in Lavender's palm, each having a smile.

“Well, you are indeed very fortunate, because we are headed to see "Romera The Wise", and it looks like we have two more going with us on our mission.”, said Lavender. Hope and Patience were gently set in Lavender's hair, for it was the safest place for them to ride, and off they went.

'Romera The Wise'

Having at last arrived at the home of “Romera The Wise”, the five travelers stood in front of the door for a moment before knocking.

Lavender turned to OH-WeL and asked, “Do They know what it is They wish to ask “Romera The Wise”?”

OH-WeL took a few moments to reply and said, “Oh, We were going to ask Romera about Our feathers, but We think We have changed Our mind. We thought about the things They and Robin said about how both like Our feathers, and Us the way We are, and well, no one has ever told Us that before. So We think We like Us too. We also see that it's OK to be different, We don't have to be like all the others that have perfect feathers. It's ok for Our feathers to not be perfect and to be different. It's ok to just be Us, and how different We are.”

Both Lavender and Robin walked up to OH-WeL, both giving Them a big hug.

“Oh, and what is really special about Us, is that We have such wonderful friends.”, said OH-WeL while hugging them back.

Lavender then knocked on “Romera The Wise's” door. They all stood back and waited. When at last the door opened, there stood “Romera The Wise”, as tall and majestic as ever.

“Hello, my dear ones, what a pleasant surprise to see all of you. This truly is a special occasion.”, said “Romera The Wise” with a bright smile.

“Hello “Romera The Wise”, we'd like to visit with Them, if They are not to busy?”, asked Robin.

“Ah, that is so very kind. We are not busy at all. Please step in and stay for bit. You came at a most perfect moment. We hope you all like honey, for the bees have just brought Us a fresh comb, and We would love nothing more than to share it while hearing news of your homes and all those there”, said “Romera The Wise”.

And so it was, that Lavender, Robin, OH-WeL, Patience and Hope had a lovely visit with “Romera The Wise”, all sharing news of home while enjoying lots of honey.

When at last it was time to leave, each hugged and thanked “Romera The Wise” for all the kind hospitality, not to mention that delicious honey.

Patience and Hope had decided to stay a bit longer, and leaving them, the three dear friends headed home. As they walked, they reminisced on this most wonderful day, and having had such a wonderful adventure. So wonderful was their day, that not one could remember the reason for the trip in the first place.