It's Tall Tale Tuesday! Hope you enjoy this story of (in)decision.
She stood staring at the gap left by the open gate. It was normally locked, a barrier that prevented her from crossing. Now, though, there was nothing standing between her and the open road. Just a few steps more and she’d be free. Yet, she hesitated. She’d walked that way before but always accompanied by friends. Her group. Her team. Her herd. They always had her back, always there to support her. She looked over her shoulder and there they were, in the distance, busy doing their own thing. They hadn’t seen her and they were unaware of her quandary, her indecision.
Should she? Shouldn’t she? She couldn’t move forward but she couldn’t move away from the temptation either. The sun was high in the sky. It was a glorious summer day, a gentle breeze bringing the smell of lush grass, sweet heather and juicy clover wafting over to her. She had a good life, plenty to eat, plenty of comforts to keep her content. Yet, she’d always felt something was missing. As a young one, she’d always yearned for adventure. She’d always been the one to get into trouble, the one who’d wander away just a little too far. Her mother had always been urging her to be more careful. ‘Daisy’, she’d say, ‘come away from that fence.’ Or, ‘Daisy’, don’t go so near to those brambles.’ She’d even heard herself say the same thing to her own little ones. Now, as she stood at the gate, she felt the same pull between wanting to be safe and wanting to know what was over the next hill. The call of the wild, they said it was and, now, she felt that call again, that longing to know what lay beyond the horizon. She could just step over the gap, step out into the world and she’d be starting on the adventure of all adventures. She’d be able to rely on herself, not have to listen to anyone else, not have to stick to anyone’s timetable but her own. She’d be free!
Freedom. That’s something she’d longed for since she’d been a youngster. Freedom to do whatever she wanted, be whatever she wanted. But now that she was just a step away from getting that freedom, she found she couldn’t take it. She couldn’t move forward. Instead, she slowly backed away. No. She’d stay where she was, where she was safe. As she turned to join her pals in the field, she heard the farmer calling. She’d be crossing the gate in a minute, but she’d be with all her friends as they headed out together to the milking parlor. Life was good and the living was easy. Adventure could wait for another day, couldn’t it?
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