Ruffled Feathers…

Totally fed up with everything, I decided to walk to my favourite place, the local pond. It was more like a huge lake than a pond and a beautiful place to soothe away all your rough patches. This week had been full of rough patches, my spirits needed lifting, and a little peace wouldn’t go amiss either.
It was sunny and very cold, but the brisk walk was already doing me good. The sunlight glinting on the water welcomed me like an old friend and I could feel my worries fading into the background.

Within minutes, the air was rent by some serious and noisy quacking. It sounded like a whole flock of angry ducks were unhappy about something. Totally the wrong time of year for duckling protection, or territorial rights, for that matter, so what was bothering them?
As I walked towards the water, three fat and angry geese were trying to pick a fight with the resident swans. Stupid really, as the swans are huge by comparison.
That was when they noticed me and decided to attack me too. I had to laugh, as they looked so comical, but they made it clear they meant business, so I backed away, just to see what they would do.

Once I was far enough away, they lost interest and went back to annoying the swans. It would seem that no matter where you go these days, you will find angry people, politicians, countries and geese.
Most of this anger is the result of ignorance, misunderstanding and impatience. All of which can be avoided if we just take a moment to think, before we react. There is always a better way, we just have to find it.



“Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All Men…” works quite well at this time of year, but once January arrives, we seem to put it back in the box with all the other Christmas stuff, and that is a shame….