Random Act of Metaphor: A Smew that Heeded the Quiet Whisper

Hmmm, what possessed that female Smew to stray 3,500 kilometres west from her normal wintering territory?

No doubt you're wondering: What in heaven's name is a Smew? A Smew is a small diving duck in the sawbill family. Normally, they occur only in Eurasia. In the winter they are found in England through central Europe and southern Russia to China and Japan.

However, against the odds, a female Smew has recently appeared in Whitby harbour of Lake Ontario. She is creating quite the stir among local birdwatchers that are flocking (pardon the pun) to Whitby for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to add this species to their Canadian list.

Smews are one of a handful of Eurasian waterfowl known to show up here on rare occasions. North American field guides refer to them as "accidentals". It is suspected that many of these "accidentals" are aviary or zoo escapees. But no one knows for certain.

I like to think, as improbable as it may be, that this intrepid little duck did make the 3,500 kilometre journey from her homeland. I imagine her hearing a quite whisper that urged her to do something extraordinary. Little Smew, summon your courage and make a transcontinental journey. Mankind needs small wonders now and then to remind it that great things are possible.

An intrepid Smew defying the odds in a minor Christmas miracle – a random act of metaphor to remind us to never stop believing in the improbable. Our most inspired moments happen when we heed the quite whisper and aspire above and beyond the limits of reason.

~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of "Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel" – double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael's website at www.mdyetmetaphor.comor the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .

~ Subscribe to "Michael's Metaphors of Life Journal aka Things That Make Me Go Hmmm" at its' internet home www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog2. Instructions for subscribing are provided in the "Subscribe to this Blog: How To" instructions page in the right sidebar. If you're reading this post on another social networking site, come back regularly to my page for postings once a week.

Send comments or questions to michael@mdyetmetaphor.com .