Little owl feels sad and mad and bad all at once.
He flaps around wildly.
He can't decide if he feels sadder or madder.
Or if he feels madder or badder.
I'm going to fly away,
He decides.
He clumsily flutters off,
Not looking where he goes.
A fat tear rolls down his beak.
His little brother pushed over the tallest tower of blocks little owl had ever built.
Then little owl pushed him.
Then his mommy shouted at him.
He is so sad and mad about the tower.
It was so tall.
His best one ever.
He didn't even get to show it to daddy.
I know I was wrong.
But I am so mad.
My brother should be glad I just pushed him over.
I could have pushed him out of the nest.
It is not nice to think like that about his little brother.
He is mad and sad and now he just feels bad.
After a while little owl gets tired.
Where will I stop to rest?
He wonders.
I don't know where I am.
I see no trees where I can sit.
Oh no.
Now I feel a little scared.
He decides to land on a high pointy rock.
Little owl sits for a bit.
Then he looks to his side.
He almost falls off the rock in surprise.
He is not alone.
Um hello,
Little owl says to the funny little animal sitting next to him.
Next to the funny animal sits a pretty fairy.
Both of them have their eyes closed.
It looks like they could be asleep.
But no.
They are smiling.
I'm sorry to disturb you.
I am just catching my breath then I'll be on my way again.
Perhaps they didn't hear him.
They both sit calmly keeping their eyes closed.
Little owl clears his throat and tries again.
Ahem.
Hello there.
He says a little louder.
They open their eyes and look at him.
We heard you.
But we were busy meditating.
Would you like to join us?
Says the funny little animal.
Meda what?
Asks little owl a bit flustered.
We are meditating she says a little bit slower.
She looks little owl up and down.
You are just a little baby.
Where are your parents?
I don't know.
I flew away from home because I was mad and sad exclaims little owl.
Oh dear.
Well I think I can help with how you feel.
I'm Diana by the way.
I'm a dussy or a rock hyrax if you want to be fancy.
This is Lily the flower fairy.
The fairy smiles and waves at little owl.
Hello Diana.
Hello Lily.
My name is little owl.
He answers shyly.
Nice to meet you little owl.
Would you like to meditate with us?
Lily can help you get home later.
I don't want to go home.
He shouts.
Alright we'll talk about going home later.
First let me help you feel better.
Now you're going to be sitting still for a little while.
You should get comfortable.
Little owl wriggles around a bit.
He fidgets and squirms.
At last he feels as if he can sit still.
All three of us are going to do this exercise together.
Lily and little owl you should close your eyes.
Start by focusing on your breath.
Breathe in slowly.
Then hold it for a moment.
Now slowly breathe out.
Let's do that again.
A long slow breath in.
Hold it.
Then slowly let it out again.
Now we're going to breathe even slower.
Breathe in while I count.
One two three.
Feel your tummy push out while you're breathing in.
Now hold it and then slowly out again.
One two three.
Feel your tummy go flat as you let all of the air out.
Little owl is starting to feel a little calmer.
But then a thought about how mad or sad he is pops into his head.
As if reading his thoughts Diana says don't worry if thoughts pop into your head.
Just let them come and go like the clouds in the sky.
Feel the big solid rock you are sitting on.
It is held up by Mother Earth.
Layers and layers of big strong rock support us.
Think about the rocks under us while you breathe.
Breathe in.
One two three and out.
One two three.
Little owl's body becomes heavy.
It feels good sitting on this big solid rock.
He listens to Diana's voice and breathes.
Now feel the sunshine on your wings.
As if you are getting a warm hug from the sun.
Little owl feels the warmth of the sun.
He enjoys the warm hug the sun is giving him.
He forgets about feeling bad or mad or sad or scared.
He just sits.
He feels the big rock under him and the warm sun around him.
He doesn't even notice that Diana has stopped counting.
At last he opens his eyes.
He looks over at Diana and Lily.
They're watching him smiling.
How are you feeling?
Diana asks.
I feel calm and I'm not mad or sad anymore.
I am a little sleepy.
I think I think I might like to go home now.
Have you rested long enough to fly home?
Diana asks kindly.
Oh yes I can make it.
If I just knew which way to go.
Diana turns to Lily.
Lily can you show little owl the way home?
Of course I can answers Lily and jumps up.
Lily starts to sing.
It is the loveliest song ever.
It sounds like the sighs of the wind through the high trees of a forest.
Little owl flaps his wings.
Lily's song is telling him to fly.
The wind song supports his wings.
Just like the rocks were supporting us when we were sitting down,
Thinks little owl.
He looks back at Diana.
Goodbye Diana,
Thank you for teaching me to meditate little owl calls.
It's a pleasure little owl.
Keep practicing.
It will calm you even when you are feeling mad or bad or sad.
I will answers little owl and waves at Diana.
Lily sings and sings.
Little owl flaps his wings.
He knows where to go or perhaps Lily's song is telling him.
Lily sings little owl all the way home.
Thank you for bringing me home,
Little owl says to Lily.
I'm so happy I could help you little owl,
Lily says and gives him a hug.
Remember to follow Diana's advice.
She is one of my wisest friends.
And sing if you ever get lost again.
I will come and help you.
Thank you,
I will answers little owl.
From now on he will sit still like a dussy for a few minutes every day.
And perhaps he will never again get so mad or sad that he gets scared or lost.
