The Magic Minute

 By Harriet May Savitz                         

10^th Happening

 It is just the way it happened,” storytellers insist each time they retell the Happenings of  the Magic Minute.  And no one ever doubts that it is the truth as the story is retold.

The Golden Eagle looked across the beach.  He had never seen so many FISH and MOLLUSKS gathered in one place.  THE ONE had told the Golden Eagle that many were gathered there, the MOLLUSKS for DEEP THINKING and the FISH for WAR.

“Go to the beach,” THE ONE had ordered.  “Stop what is about to begin.  There must not be violence against anyone.  All the FISH and MOLLUSKS have heard is BAD NEWS about the TENANTS.  LOWER DOWN has told them only BAD NEWS.  We must bring them GOOD NEWS.”

The Golden Eagle was not surprised that he had been chosen by THE ONE.  As an Eagle, he was one of the largest and most powerful BIRDS in the world.

But the request seemed an impossible one.  “How can we gather this GOOD NEWS?” the Golden Eagle asked.  “Where can GOOD NEWS be found?”

“You are called The King of BIRDS,” replied THE ONE.  “The BIRDS will bring you GOOD NEWS.  You remain here and make certain no one goes to WAR.  The BIRDS will bring you hope and all else you need”

It was true that BIRDS had existed for 125,000,000 years, long enough to hear a lot of GOOD NEWS.  With 9,000 kinds of birds in the world, the Golden Eagle thought it might very well be possible to accomplish this task.

But looking down at all those on the beach facing one another, he was not certain that anyone could stop the FISH from destroying the Mollusks or anyone else in their way.

And then the Golden Eagle remembered the last words spoken by THE ONE.

“During this Magic Minute, anything is possible.”

No matter what THE ONE promised, the Golden Eagle did not feel comfortable standing there on his strong bright yellow legs and feet.  He felt helpless, which was quite a new feeling for him. And clumsy. His long broad wings and tail did not feel comfortable on the ground.  The Golden Eagle felt at home gracefully soaring in the sky, searching for food.  He was proud of his reputation as bold and fierce, a symbol of power and freedom.  He was even thought of by some as the War Eagle, because of his golden feathers that were once used in warrior’s headwear.

But now he had been called upon to prevent WAR and bring GOOD NEWS.  The Golden Eagle had never done this before.  How different from his usual occupation, soaring overhead, seeking out his prey, ready to do battle whenever necessary.  Now he was given the task of keeping PEACE.    He circled the beach.  Why was no one looking up at him?  He was not accustomed to being ignored.  Not a Golden Eagle.

“Listen to me,” he announced to the crowd on the beach.  Even though THE ONE had assured him the Magic Minute would make anything possible, The Golden Eagle was stunned at the words available to him.  “You’re under the wrong impression about the TENANTS.  You have only heard the BAD NEWS.  There is also GOOD NEWS and it will be coming shortly.

“WAR!  WAR!” shouted the FISH.

The MOLLUSKS continued their DEEP THINKING.

The Golden Eagle was tempted to fly back into the sky, fly as far away as he could.  But he knew THE ONE would find him, no matter where he traveled.  And so he stretched his wings wide as far as they would reach.  He stretched his legs so he stood as tall as he could be.  And he looked as fierce as a Golden Eagle could.

“No one is going to WAR as long as I stand here,” he said with an authority that impressed his audience.  “GOOD NEWS will arrive soon.”

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