Wyatt's Flight

    Once again during a late summer thunderstorm Wyatt sat motionless as rain pelted him in the face. I'm protecting the family he reminded himself over and over. But even when the rain ended, his desire for freedom lingered. It wasn't that he minded protecting the family, it was that he had no choice but to protect the family. From the rain, the wind, the hot and the cold, he remained the family's sound barrier.

    Sensing that the thunderstorm was now in the distance, the birds came out to stretch their wings. Like that. I want to soar like that! Wyatt thought. And why shouldn't I? I've protected this family long enough. I want to be free!

    And with a new determination, inspired by the birds, Wyatt set to break himself free of his captivity. If I can just catch a breeze, I'll be able to soar like the birds.

    Little by little Wyatt nudged himself, and eventually his bonds began to crack and splinter. Before long they'd broken enough to give him much room to move, and move he did. He shuffled himself out to the the very tip of his perch, waiting for another gust of wind to carry him off to a new land.

    Eventually the gust came. Now's my chance! Wyatt convinced himself, and he released his final imprisoning hold. He toppled forward, feeling the fresh breeze in his face, the freedom from his bonds, and he was filled with pure ecstasy. So, this is what the birds feel he thought as he glided out from his perch.

    But his flight lasted only a moment. Shortly after he freed himself, the gust had passed, and nothing else could keep Wyatt aloft. He plummeted to the ground, and on impact his face shattered, scattering shards all across the front lawn.