Owl Magic

"Waka-Waka," echoed from my backyard. "Waka-Waka."

I live in a semi-rural area and on this cold blustery day, I was sitting in my home in front of a roaring fire, having hot chocolate and oatmeal cookies when I heard that renowned owl hoot. 

Instantly, I knew it was the famous Great Horned Owl, seldom seen, and often sought by photographers.

I grabbed my camera and scanned my backyard, when on an old oak tree, on a branch 20 feet up, I spotted him.

To get a great photo, I climbed to the top of my grandchildren's playground set, and just as I was about to take his photo, I slipped and landed on the grass 20-feet below.

"Waka-Waka, Hoo-Hoo-Hoo," loudly echoed, and I knew he was laughing at me. "Waka-Waka, Hoo-Hoo- Hoo," rang out again.

Now I was more determined than ever to get his photo. 

As I began to climb the oak tree, I saw him suddenly swoop in the direction of my back door, the one I had accidently left open when I came out to get his photo.

In a heartbeat, he was inside.

I raced to the door, but just before I got there, the wind blew it closed. 

I called a locksmith and as I waited in the chilling breeze, I looked through my window, and saw the owl nesting near my roaring fire, drinking my hot chocolate and eating my oatmeal cookies.

As the owl stared at me, I saw what looked like a big grin, one he made no effort to contain and I heard, "Waka-Waka, Hoo-Hoo-Hoo." 

With Love To All - Dick

Thank you to Chris Wemmer, whose Owl Magic letter in The Mountain Messenger (11/11/21) inspired this Fable.