Title: Kingfisher
Form: story
Language: en
Canonical URL: https://pembaumoja.com/en/stories/kingfisher

The two boys walked home barefoot through the forest path, sling shots in hand, feet rustling upon dry teak leaves.

They followed the stream leading to the fresh pond. Lotus flowers opened in full bloom upon the green lily pads. Tiny frogs the size of large insects jumped among them.

And there she was. A kingfisher. The most majestic of birds, perched upon a fallen branch near water’s edge. She was very far away, but both boys could see her clearly.

The younger boy reached down to pick up a smooth stone and tucked it into his slingshot. “I bet you I can hit her,” he remarked to his friend, pulling back the sling with all his might.

Then in a silent instant, he gently released his dainty fingers, hurling the small stone high into the air. It flew far, above the dry leaves, across the water’s edge.

The stone though flying fast, seemed to move in slow motion.

The kingfisher fell. Feathers floated up upon the air as if they could still fly.

The boy dropped his sling.

“How could you?” asked his friend.

“I never thought…” was all he managed to mutter.

They found another way home, silently, save the rustling of dry teak leaves.

The next day the older boy found his friend.

“I passed by the kingfisher today. It was still alive, but it couldn’t move.”

The younger boy never picked up his sling again.
