"Good Morning - No such Thing" is the quote I was given to play with today and marry up with Matilde's challenge at Art Journal Journey. Entirely the opposite to "What Makes you Happy" which is Matilde's choice for the challenge if you take it literally because a 'good morning' always makes me happy. Particularly one where the sun is shining and it is nice and warm outside and I have nothing pressing to do so I can go and enjoy the birds singing and feel the sun on my face. Imagine a lovely walk with the sun shining through the trees, the floor littered with tiny speedwells or lily of the valley, pretty butterflies flitting from bush to bush whilst the birds are singing. What could be nicer?
"Bree had been cooped up all winter and spring had not been much better for getting out and about. Even if the sun did shine on occasions it was always cold when she went out walking in and around her favourite woodland area. It was now June and despite the sun shining that morning she honestly couldn't say it was shorts and t-shirt weather, not for her at least. Still, with her best friend by her side she was determined she was going to enjoy a lovely walk.
She had always been brought up to be courteous and kind, learnt whilst walking out with her father to say 'good morning' as she passed people who always seemed to return the greeting, and so on her walks she always had a smile on her face and said "good morning" as she passed people. Most people gave her a cheery smile back and said "good morning" as they went on their way.
She took Max, her doggy companion, on her walk through the parkland and beyond to the edge of the small wooded area where she used to play as a child. This was a favourite walk and it brought back many happy memories of the lady and her husband who lived in the small cottage on the edge of the woods. She often used to see the two of them sat in the sunshine in their deck chairs out in the garden, always giving her a cheery wave, but now she didn't recall seeing either of them for weeks. In fact the garden seemed a little neglected.
This particular day, as she walked past the cottage she glimpsed the old man in his garden.
"Good morning" she called and gave him a cheery wave, "lovely day for a walk" she continued.
There was no response so she called out again "Good morning, lovely day for a walk isn't it?"
"Good morning - No Such Thing" came the grumpy reply.
"Oh Dear" thought Bree as she hurried on by. Obviously not a happy day for everyone. And as she carried on walking along the edge of the woodland she began thinking about the old man. "Something must be wrong with him" she thought to herself, "I wonder if his wife is ok, I haven't seen her looking through the window in ages. Perhaps one of them is not very well." She looked down at Max, "What do you think?" she asked, "should we call on the way back". Max looked up at her and began wagging his tail.
Taking that for an answer she decided that there could be no harm in knocking at the door and asking the old man if everything was ok, and if there was anything she could do for him - for them. And so, true to her word, she took a deep breath in as she neared the cottage and knocked timidly on the door."
Now, do you think the old man was friendly, happy to see her, or was he just a grumpy old man who told her his life was none of her business. Perhaps you can write an ending to this story or maybe I will finish it off one day soon.
