Forest Deep
Is this what early humans felt when sleeping in their caves — always frightened, always on guard...?
Since it’s that scaredy-cat time of year, here’s micro-fiction from deep down in the archives for my new subscribers…
Forest
A sudden sound awakens her. Instantly alert, she scans the dark outlines of trees, searching for signs of danger. She hears a faint noise, maybe only the residual echo of creatures clattering through brush, moving down the embankment to the pebbled creek. Her pulse quickens, the taste of fear is on her tongue. Adrenalin rushes through her, preparing her for fight or flight.
A snap from a nearby pine, something falls to the forest floor. She jumps up from her leafy bed, fully aware and on her feet. She listens and waits. The stream, the rocks, the leaves, half-hidden in the shadows cast by the moon, are all silent. She hears only the hiss of the fire left smoldering in its ring of stones. Her breath returns to normal.
Is this what early humans felt when sleeping in their caves — always frightened, always on guard, ready to do battle at every moment? Is it any wonder their lifespan was so short?
She looks over to where her man and boy are sleeping peacefully under the moon, cradled like contented babies in the arms of nature, even here in the remote, unpredictable nature of this wilderness.
Not everyone is meant for sleeping on the ground, under trees, exposed to starlight. This is her first time camping, and, if God is good, it will be her last.
Men sleeps like logs which makes them lousy babysitters. Women, for better or worse, are Nature's alarm system, hearing every little peep.
As I read this, I thought of my daughter on her one and only deer hunting trek with her husband. That particular adventure was more than she bargained for, but at least she gave it a try.
I wonder if there was a hierarchy of people chosen to sleep near the cave's entrance?
Love this one Sharron. And remember, If God had intended for people to sleep on the ground, he wouldn't have invented the Winnebago.