As the sun rose, dazzling, across
the vast Atlantic, one of its urchins stood up among the wave-ends and
stepped cautiously ashore.
Alerted by the sixth sense that every hill-man must possess, Kalus
opened his eyes and remained perfectly still. There in the clear light
of morning, he witnessed a scene that recalled to him the simple act of
kindness that had changed his life forever. Quietly he woke the girl,
knowing that she needed this sight as much as he. Silently, together
they watched, touched by the eternal resilience of life, where nothing
is new under the sun, and every sunrise is the first for some newborn
creature.
A small boy, perhaps four, stood close to the water's edge, holding
something in his hand. The cub, having woken before them, remained in
her alert, quizzical posture, a short distance from him up the sandy
incline. As the boy took a few steps nearer she stood up, but did not
bark or growl. Perhaps it was because they were of a kind, and
understood each other without the dimness of fear. Or perhaps because
they felt the simple affinity which all young creatures share, not yet
hardened and made cruel by their elders and their world.
The Child continued to advance, glancing sidelong at the others: aware
of their presence, but intent upon his mission.
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