Everything Changed!

Charan, a Raccoon, and Beatrix, an Opossum, were taking a walk together. The two friends hadn’t had the opportunity to take a walk together for a very long time since the Raccoon had been away on business and the Opossum was nursing a sprained ankle.

The two were taking it slow on their walk and admiring all of the scenery they could. It’s very special to do something you love after you haven’t been able to do it for a long time and Charan and Beatrix were enjoying every moment.

“Look at this pretty rock!” Charan said to Beatrix as he pointed out a cool rock on the path.

Beatrix came over to check out the rock that Charan had found, it was a very interesting and pretty rock indeed. It had patterns, and edges, and was also smooth in some parts. Beatrix decided she wanted to take it home with her and began reaching down to grab it.

“Hey what’s the big idea!” came a voice, sounding pretty miffed.

“Did you say that?” Beatrix asked Charan as she snapped her hand back from the rock.

“I didn’t say anything!” Charan replied, “I think the rock said something!”

“How could the rock say something?” Beatrix shot back, annoyed.

“I did say something! You can’t just come pick me up! You don’t know if I had plans later!” Said the Rock, angry.

“Yeah! Who do you two think you are coming in and disturbing the Rock like that, he’s been here forever!” Another voice yelled.

“Was that a tree?” Charan asked, confused.

“Yeah, it’s me!” The Tree yelled back, “You two haven’t been here for a while but we can all talk now!”

Charan and Beatrix were very confused. They weren’t able to go on their usual walk for what felt like only a short period of time. Yet, here they were back on the walk today and now the whole forest could all of a sudden talk? In full sentences at that? It’s like the whole world had changed while they were busy doing other things.

“Well,” Charan began, “What do we do now...?”

“Say sorry!” The Rock yelled, “Just say sorry for trying to pick me up without permission!”

“Sorry!” Beatrix offered immediately and sincerely, “I didn’t realize I was moving you from your home.”

“Thanks for the apology,” the Rock answered, coolly, “It’s just that me and really everyone I know hates change. So don’t just go around changing things and you’ll be okay.”

Charan and Beatrix looked at each other, they considered the irony of the statement the Rock made as they walked through the forest and listened to the hi’s and hello’s of flowers, leaves, stumps, and rocks. Eventually, the Rock too would learn that you can’t stop change, it’s just a fact of life. It’s best to try and enjoy things as they are, regardless of whether they changed from the last time you enjoyed them or not.