Batman and the Boy

Sunshine cascading across my face awakened me. My eyes opened and I knew immediately. Don't ask how I knew. I just knew. I had been transformed during the night. I don't know how or why this metamorphosis occurred.

Turning my hands over, I closely studied each one, each finger, each nail, each cuticle individually, as if for the first time. Actually, it was the first time, being in my new state.

I dressed hurriedly, wanting to go out and see if what I thought happened was true.

I walked seeing the world in a whole new light.

A crying was coming from my left side further in the woods. Walking in that direction, I found myself in a clearing. The source of the crying was straight ahead and I ran to the hawk sitting on the ground. His cries were fainter as I approached. He was almost to weak to open his beak. His left wing was clearly broken and the source of his distress.

Sitting on the pine needles next to him, I spoke calmly in a soothing voice. I pulled him gently to my lap and ran my hand softly over his injured wing again and again. Placing him on the ground next to me, he flapped his wings then flew off without a look back. I smiled, satisfied.

I continued walking. Further into the woods, I saw a young boy sitting against a tree. A blue like lay on the ground. Attached to the back was a red wagon. As I came closer, I saw the dog by his side lying with his head resting on the boy's lap. Tears streamed down the boy's face.

Quietly, I sat next to him. The dog's breathing was labored. The hair in his muzzle was mostly white showing his advanced age.

We sat peacefully for a few moments. I wanted the boy to speak first. Sensing that he said "he's dying." His hand continued to gently pet his friend as he looked down at him.

"I can help him." I reached out to move to furry head to my lap.

"DON'T TOUCH HIM!" Leaning his body protectively over the animal, his right arm came up to shield him from my reach.

Withdrawing my hand to respect his feelings, I spoke calmly to the child. "I can heal your friend."

The boy looked at me. "Batman is my best friend. We grew up together. We learned everything and explored everything together. This was one of our favorite spots. That's why I brought him here. He's going to be buried where I'm sitting." I noticed the shovel for the first time.

"He had a great life. Now, his time is over. Don't take anything from us. Just leave us alone." I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say anything.

"If you truly have the power you say you do, you were given it for a reason. Don't waste it. Don't be selfish with it. Use it to make a difference in the world."

He must have saw the question in my eyes.

"Bring rain where there are droughts. Bring rivers where people have no water. Make food grow in barren lands. Bring wisdom to the leaders of nations. Make doctors curious so they never stop learning and they don't quit until they find the right answer. Give military leaders compassion to end wars."

I thanked the boy then walked back on the path that carried me to him.

I took my favorite hiking path to a spot on the lake. No one else was using the path or on the lake. The peace from the scene filled me.

Drought, famine, war, disease. What's the saying, "From the mouths of babes?"

For the second time this day, I was awestruck.