An astronomer loved to see the heavens come to life. But on a cloudy, starless night, a peculiar ethereal blue glow caught her sight. For among the potted violets on her porch step, a tiny, handsome man with shimmering wings and a bow of arrows perched. Dejected, he sat upon a violet, head in hand.
“What ails you, O’messenger of love?” she whispered.
Forlorn, he held his arms out wide and stood amongst the petals. “I cannot find that which will let me earn my permanent wings. I’ve searched for those who seek, but none are present. My master will be most displeased if I don’t seed this world with more love.”
She tilted her head to eye the fairy-like man. “You cannot force love. It only blooms when two are willing to take a chance. Those are who you must find. Then the love you seed will grow and thrive. But should you not already know this?”
He blushed and pointed to a tiny pin upon his lapel. “I’m an apprentice and still in training.”
She smiled and replied, “Perhaps you need to fall in love to understand.“
“Are you an expert?“ he asked inquisitively.
She laughed. “No. Although once I knew love, but he is gone.”
“How so, dear human, did it happen?”
“A car going too fast took a wide turn, and all was lost.” A tear formed in her eye.
He shook his head sadly. “So sorry. But I will take your advice and look for those willing to take a chance.” With a shimmer, he was gone.
Months passed before the astronomer got a new neighbor, who also would come out at night to see the constellations appear. Each evening they would sit to watch the stars shine, and twinkle, occasionally sharing a drink or two. But on a cloudy, starless night as they stood wondering what to do, a peculiar ethereal blue glow appeared among the potted violets on the astronomer’s porch steps. Two tiny shimmering silver arrows flew from the green and purple to hit their hearts. Then they looked at each other anew and kissed as the moon appeared. With a blue flash, a tiny handsome apprentice earned his permanent wings and smiled.
“You’re right. It blooms when two are ready. And now I’ve paid you back in full.”
Sometime short and sweet is just as good as a novella. Get more stories by subscribing.