A place for listening
The three girls stopped walking. Sandy and Jenna turned to face Melanie.
Melanie asked, “Is that it? Is that the meadow of silence?”
Sandy pointed, “Yup, that’s it. When you enter through that archway in the trees into that little meadow you’re entering the meadow of silence. There is no talking in the meadow. We must be as quiet as we can.”
“Absolutely no talking!” Jenna reinforced.
Sandy continued, “What we’re gonna do is just walk in silence out to the middle of the meadow. And then we stop walking and stand as still and quiet as we can…. and listen.”
“Listen for what?” asked Melanie.
Jenna spoke up, “Not FOR anything. Just listen. We never know what we’re gonna hear. Sometimes the trees will speak. I like to turn in a circle — always clockwise — and take in all the trees that encircle the meadow. Sometimes it’s the wind that we hear. Sometimes it’s birds….”
Sandy broke in, “And sometimes it’s voices. And sometimes it’s absolutely nothing; just silence. It can be really powerful. Are you ready?”
“I guess.”
“Just remember; no talking! When it’s time to leave I’ll give the OK sign.”
