It is all about paths you know
Paths to the beach
Paths to the pool
Paths through the meadows
Paths to school
Peter and Petra were walking towards the municipal pool
On days such as this all things stop
Petra watched as a busy insect scurried past them
Except insects
Insects are always busy
Peter picked up the insect and placed it safely in the long grass
Paths to the river
Paths through the woods
Paths in the city
The insect looked up at Peter
That will be a difficult rhyme Peter
I agree I will leave it half done
Where is your sister?
She is in the pool
Good
May I speak to you?
Of course
I have written a short story
What is its title?
A Lifeguard
Would you read it to me?
I have not finished it
Stories should not be finished
Let the reader decide the ending
In the pool in the middle of the city
Petra swam from end to end using the same technique
Her symmetry amazed her fellow swimmers
Peter watched his sister as the insect arranged its story
Are you ready to listen to my work?
Yes
Please read it to me
The Lifeguard
The Fed-Ex truck had paused directly in front of the beach-huts
Jane was sitting in a red deck-chair
Near the beach-huts
She was reading a book
It title was Moby Dick
Reno was on the beach speaking to three tiny Japanese girls who had been swimming in the dangerous waters directly beneath the lighthouse
The truck driver was training to be a lifeguard
His name was Peter
Petra walked toward Peter
She had not dried herself
It seemed that a mist was gathering around her
The other swimmers were still applauding her loudly
Who are you talking to Peter?
An insect
Insects cannot talk
Possibly but I am not an expert on their conversation patterns
Peter turned to speak to the insect but it had vanished
I think I frightened it away
No it just wants to be still as it is such a hot day