Here Comes the Sun

by Gillian Turner

Published by Gillian Turner at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Gillian Turner

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Cover illustration graciously provided by Iben Bachmann

~ For Priya ~

~ Inspired by “Here Comes the Sun,” by George Harrison

and “Blackbird,” by Paul McCartney ~

In the days before time as we know it, when a creature's life was measured by the sun, the moon and the passing of the seasons, there was a gathering in the Great Forest of Eden. All the winged inhabitants of the earth, from the tiny Hummingbird to the great Eagle, had been called upon by God to receive their unique gifts.

One by one, each bird was given a different gift: some could soar high through the air; some birds were flightless, but could run fast on land or dive to the deepest depths of the ocean. There were birds which were given the most beautiful colours of the Rainbow, and others which could see at night. Some were even given a gift to help people wake up in the morning! There were as many gifts as there were kinds of birds, but God especially loved gifting melodies to his littlest birds. For each one, he created a special song -- something which took him time to do. After all, composing a song is no easy task. Not if it were to be done properly.

After the sun had set and risen a few times, God was finally done...

Except for one.

He hadn't given a gift to the small family of Robins who had travelled a great distance on their little wings. Mother and Father Robin understood that God could not be pressed in such matters, and that his promise of a gift to them was good, even if it were not given at the time they wished it. However, they were still a bit sorrowful.

Perhaps that's why they didn't notice when Robyn, their child, flew high up into the trees to be alone. He was very upset that he hadn't received a gift like the rest of the birds. Maybe he and his family had done something wrong? Robyn was so distraught over the matter that he didn't hear his parents calling out for him. With the weather beginning to turn outside the Great Forest, they decided they had to leave without Robyn. His parents hoped they had taught him enough to make his way back home on his own.

Robyn looked down from the canopy of leaves to the wildflowers below, and realized he was alone. He looked up into the bright blue sky and felt a cool wind ruffle his feathers. Had God forgotten all about him? With tears still in his eyes, Robyn set out into the sky to catch up with his parents. They couldn't be more than half a day's journey away, he thought. As he flew, cold rain began to hit his wings, weighing him down. Robyn wasn't yet strong enough to bear the burden, and he felt himself tumbling toward the ground. He crashed, bottom over top, onto the hard earth.

What pain! He'd never experienced anything like it before!

Slowly coming to his senses, Robyn lifted his head to look around. He gingerly moved his frozen wing out of the way, noticing a building nearby. He was outside the Great Forest, and outside Eden. But he certainly wasn't anywhere near home. Tired and sore, all Robyn could do was rest where he lay, praying as he drifted off into a slumber.

Robyn was awoken by the feeling of a soft, giant scoop lifting him off the ground. He opened his eyes to find the storm had passed and that the giant scoop was the hands of a little girl. Her pretty eyes looked down at him with concern and warmth, and he could hear her chattering away to him. He didn't understand her, but her voice was soothing... it reminded him of how his mother sounded when she comforted him when he was scared.

The little girl carried Robyn over to a table and placed him on a warm, dry blanket. She dabbed him carefully, drying his feathers. Soon he was able to stand on his feet and flap his wings. Nothing was broken! Over the next few days, the little girl built him a small shelter to keep him dry, and provided him with seed so he could grow strong again. Robyn missed his parents and worried about what they thought happened to him, but he was so grateful for the care of the little girl. Every day she grew more beautiful to him. He wished he could stay there with her, but he knew it wasn't his home and that he would have to leave before winter came.

As he watched, Robyn saw the orange, red and yellow leaves start falling from the large tree next to the little girl's house. She came out in the glow of the morning sun with a handful of seed. Robyn hopped over to the edge of the table and ate some right out of her hand, then paused. He looked up at her, wanting to give his thanks but having no way to speak to her. He had no song, and it grieved him more than ever. The little girl seemed to understand, though. Her face grew sad and she closed her eyes, speaking softly. How Robyn wished he knew what she was saying! It was all nonsense to him, until-- Ah! One word made sense: God. She was praying! Did people pray just as other creatures did?

His friend finished her prayer, opened her eyes and smiled. She poured the rest of the seed onto the table, gathered up the shelter, the blanket, and with one last soft pat on Robyn's head, she went back into the house. Robyn knew it was time. He finished the seed and took flight.

In less time than he imagined was possible, Robyn was home with his Mother and Father. It was a wonderful reunion! Oh, how he missed them! Oh, how they missed him! He recounted his adventure in the warmth and safety of his southern home, away from the snow and the cold of the north. Robyn told the story to friends and strangers so many times he lost count. He was grateful to be home but, as the winter months grew long, another sorrow grew in his heart.

Robyn wanted nothing more than to thank the little girl who had helped him so much – to sing her a song worthy of the care she gave him. He tried and tried and yet, try as he might, he could set no melody on the wind. Bitter and disappointed, Robyn decided to try something else. It was still much too early to head north, but he didn't care.

Gathering twigs, he fashioned a basket.

Gathering the most beautiful flowers he could, he filled the basket.

Robyn would bring this gift to the little girl, even though it was still winter.

The next morning, Robyn set out flying northward, the weight of the basket in his beak. He could do it, he thought, even if it took him several days and many rests! On the first day, a few flowers were picked up by the wind and blown away. Never mind, he thought. A few won't hurt! As the weight grew more difficult to bear the next day, Robyn noticed a few more flowers blow away. A few twigs from the basket began to fall away as well. He hoped and prayed the gift would make it to his friend.

When he set out on the third day, a stronger, warmer wind came up, tossing the little bird to and fro. Robyn found himself fighting to stay the air as his basket fell apart below him. In the distance, he saw the little girl's house. He dived and swooped in an attempt to save any of his lovely flowers, but was unsuccessful. Robyn landed on the table where his friend had taken care of him, and his eyes filled with tears.

He was left with just a single seed in his beak.

The little girl appeared in the doorway, her eyes wide.

She disappeared back inside for a moment, then threw open the door and ran across the snow-covered yard in a coat, and heavy winter boots. Kneeling by the table, the little girl's face broke into a wide grin when she realized it was the same bird she had once cared for. She yelled something back at her house, and soon her mother was outside, heading toward the table. As they watched, Robyn dropped the seed and looked up at his friend. The smile left her face and she spoke, stroking the little bird's head as she did. Tears filled her eyes.

Suddenly, her mother gasped, pointing toward the ground.

Around where the single seed had been dropped, the snow had melted to reveal a patch of bright green grass. Slowly, a green sprout grew up and up, until at last a single daisy bloomed before them. Robyn felt a warm wind and looked up – all around them, the snow was melting and nature was being reborn!

But it was too early for Spring! It was three weeks too early, at least! Robyn cried out in amazement, his little heart bursting with joy. That's when he heard the little girl laugh. He turned to see her wearing a wide smile of happiness, but it wasn't for the flower, or for the trees coming back to life.

She was laughing and smiling for Robyn's cry of joy – for his melody – for his Song.

God had kept his promise. And from that day forward, whenever people hear the Robin's Song, they feel the joy of God's creation being reborn in the Springtime.