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Experiment 5

Parable for Spring

page 32

Parable for Spring

One fine Spring morning a shy pink blossom galloping over a meadow spied a large black horse hanging by his tail from an apricot tree. Turning, she slowed to a canter and approached this strange equine apricot.

At the foot of the tree she stopped and looking upwards was immediately plunged into an overwhelming passion for what was there. So great indeed was her passion that she found it quite impossible to retain the dignified silence that a young lady is supposed to adopt in the presence of a male unknown to her or not certified as desirable by her family, so she brazenly called to him ...

'Oh strong, black and beautiful horse, won't you climb down and pollinate me.'

Now the horse who was no doubt annoyed by his unnatural position, remained silent in an attempt to indicate to our little blossom that her attentions were not desired. But the little blossom, displaying the purely selfish feminine trait of getting what she wanted, at any cost (to another), called out again ...

'Oh strong, black and worthy horse, won't you climb down to me. I will take you to a clear cool stream and there you can pollinate me.'

Again the equine apricot ignored her, so she tried a different approach ...

'Oh strong black and silly horse, don't be shy with me. Climb down or I will have to come and get you. So don't be shy, come and pollinate me.'

This really annoyed the horse so in the most acid tones he replied .. 'I am very happy here. I have no desire to climb down and' he added in a voice of a somewhat higher pitch 'pollinat you.'

Even this didn't seem a sufficient rebuff for the little blossom who called back sharply ...

'Don't insult me fine black and worthy horse. It is only shyness and you would be sorry if I was to leave you. So climb down this instant and pollinate me.'

'No definitely not. Why I wouldn't dream of it.' replied the upturned horse shaking his head in a most definite manner in an attempt to doubly convince her of his genuine apathy.

But our little blossom, not to be denied, being (after such delay) in an almost frenzied passion, started to climb the tree page 33calling to the horse all the while in a cooing voice ...

'Shy horse you can't escape me now. I love you and soon I'll take you. So don't be shy my dearest. Climb down to meet me. Come on don't be shy.'

The horse by this time was really agitated and in an almost screaming voice he cried ...

'Look please go away. I do not want you. I do not find you in the least attractive. So please, I implore you, go away.'

Taking no notice on she climbed giggling as she wriggled through the sharp twigs till at last she reached the branch from which the horse was suspended.

'Now' she cried, 'I have you,' and mincing coyly (a cunning piece of mime) she stroked his tail on the portion attached to the tree. Powerless to prevent her, the horse, his voice heightening yet another octave, screamed ...

'Go away and leave me, leave me, it is my fate in life to hang by my tail from an apricot tree so please, please leave me to it. It is my fate.'

Selfishly she ignored his frantic request and stroked his tail even more vigorously. Too vigorously for suddenly the attachment frayed letting the horse drop to the ground where he quickly regained his feet and galloped off over the meadow leaving the shy pink blossom hanging in the tree.

End piece by Barbara Moffat and Ross O'Rourke