Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Joseph Stephens and Springs farewell



            Joseph Stephens sneezed hard for the seven hundred and fiftieth time that day. Springtail the spring rabbit hopped up to Joseph’s front door and pattered his tiny paws on the door in attempt to knock. Joseph opened his door to go outside and noticed the small timid rabbit had been pawing at his door. “Oh Springtail, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you knock. Were you waiting long?” Asked Joseph as he crouched down to talk with the small bunny. “N-no, not long, maybe an hour at most. It’s fine though. I should have been louder. I just don’t really like loud noises” Said Springtail in a bashful voice. Just as Springtail finished speaking Joseph let out a loud sneeze combined with a cough. Springtail jumped in the air and then ran into Joseph’s house. “I’m sorry!” Joseph called after Springtail. Joseph went inside to find the bunny hiding under Joseph’s couch.

            “Its ok, I just have allergies” Joseph said. “oh…ok. I am sorry I didn’t know. I made all these flowers without even thinking about people with allergies. I j-just wanted people to be happy” Said the rabbit. “No, its fine” Joseph said as he tried to hold back another sneeze.

            A loud laughing interrupted Joseph and Springtail’s conversation. “Bohohohoh” Cackled the voice. Joseph looked outside and saw a large laughing balloon slowly descending. After a few moments of staring Joseph realized it was not a balloon but the daughter of the sun, July. July was a large twenty foot tall woman who could fly and brought summer wherever she went. “Happy summertime everyone!” She called out across the town. A heat wave instantly blew past Joseph’s house. As July floated by she saw storm clouds rolling in. “Shoo! Shoo! No more spring rain. It is summer fun time!” She said as she waved her arm through the air. The rain clouds dissipated and the sun shone brighter than ever. “Bahohoho” She bellowed as she slowly landed on the soft green grass that Springtail has grown.

            “Oh No! Its her!” Springtail said as loud as he could, which was still very quiet. Joseph turned “Ok, you should probably get out of here” Joseph told Springtail. “You are right Mr.Stephens. I should. I will tell the others and we will have to leave this land for now” Replied Springtail. “Others?” Asked Joseph. “oh yes, there are hundreds of Spring rabbits around. I couldn’t do all of the work myself. I am just a small rabbit. I will tell my sisters April and Bloom, my brothers Clover, Oak, Peanut and Jeff. Then they will tell other rabbits they know and by the end of the week we will be gone until next year” Explained Springtail.

            Joseph knew every season had a spirit who brought the season with them but he didn’t realize Spring came in on the backs of hundreds of tiny bunnies. This fact made him smile.  Joseph’s smile quickly faded as he realized Springtail had run off and July was now banging on his door. He already missed the quiet patter of Springtail’s fluffy paws. “Joseph dear! I am back! We can start the celebration honoring my return” July shouted into his house. Joseph answered the door. “Hello July” Joseph said trying to hide a sneer. Heat blew into Joseph’s house and wilted his houseplants.

            “Joseph you rascal I have been gone for a whole year and all you have to say to me is ‘hello’?” Asked July. “Yes” Joseph said then slammed the door in July’s face.
            Summer was here and spring was gone. Happy people flocked to the beaches and parks. They played in the sun. Kids rejoiced as they went on summer break and adults made plans for their vacations. Everyone saw Summer differently. The thing about the seasons is, they look different to different people. Joseph could recount the tales of his time with each season when they visited his house but someone else who experienced the same seasons might have a totally different kind of story to tell about them. Joseph didn’t know what July looked like to other people, he just knew that to him, summer was loud, obnoxious, chased away adorable rabbit friends and stayed around way too long.

            The heat of summer started to set in and while some might be soaking in the rays, Joseph was indoors reading and listening to the hum of his air conditioner.

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