I Waited

• Charles Southwell, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2015

I had waited.

I had waited for the wonderful day when he would finally arrive. I had waited for days, weeks, months, years, just for him.

I had planted the seed that would one day grow into a proud, strong tree. And I waited.

I had planted a garden in preparation. I filled the garden with wattle, eucalyptus, correa and other dense native shrubs. I pruned the garden, tended to the flowers and I waited.

I watched the seed sprout and emerge through the surface of the soil. And I waited.

I watched the little sapling grow and mature into a beautiful young tree. And I waited for him.

I watched the tree grow and bloom into delicate and luscious blossoms, filling me with hope. And I waited.

I waited through the buzzing warmth of summer, the vivid colour of autumn, the cool serenity of winter and the vibrant flourish of spring. And I waited.

I watched the tree turn from green to orange, drop its leaves and grow them back again. I cared for that single tree with all my heart. And I waited.

Three years had passed and I was beginning to think he would never come. I was beginning to think he would never choose my garden as his home. I gazed out at that lovely garden before me and decided I wasn’t going to give up on him, not yet. So I waited.

I worked hard in the garden, filled with hope. Still, I waited.

I woke and saw the sunlight drifting in gold shimmers through the window. I looked out and there he was, a beautiful Blue Wren, drifting through the branches like a wisp of smoke, bluer than the clearest sky.

So I watched him.

He landed on the largest bough of that very tree I had planted three years ago, pivoting on needle-like legs, standing proud as a symbol of hope. And I watched him.

I watched him find a partner. I watched him help her collect sticks, twigs, feathers and mud to build a nest. I watched them dancing in the orange light of sunset. I watched them dipping and diving in the dull light.

I watched their lives and they watched mine.

Then one magical day the most wonderful thing happened and I watched her. I watched her lay her tiny eggs in that warm, cosy nest they had built.

And I waited.