My Huge Mistake

Where do I start? I guess the beginning would be as good of a place as any. I'm about to tell you a story that I never wanted to reveal to anybody. Why? Because I feel foolish that it even happened to me. I was beginning to think I was a great adventurer, but then this happened.

I arrived at the park happy to be on one more everyday adventure. I moved onto the entry path, and was about to cross the bridge that leads to the forest when I saw a big creature standing there to the right of this small structure. It took me a second to realize that I was looking at a great blue heron that was in a very odd place.

Being quick with my camera, as always, I began taking pictures at lightning speed before it could decide to fly away. The only problem was that it had its back to me. I took a few steps forward before I thought maybe I should try to get this at a better angle. So I backed away as stealthily as I could, and I walked around a bug shrub on the side of the bridge to get a better look.

I came at that heron from the side of the bridge, not even worrying about the snakes that live down in this area. Happily there were none there this time. They would only be garter snakes anyway, so I was in no danger. And the very small runoff creek was mostly dry today too, so I was doubly lucky.

I was in a very good position now because the heron was concentrating very strongly on something else, so it had no idea that I was there at all. I was going to be able to sneak right up on it. Yes! I began stalking it like a graceful cat. I'd be right up on it, getting pictures the whole way before it ever knew I was there!

Then I got closer and found out what I was blinded to before. The reason the heron never seemed to move was because it was fake!!! I was tricked by a fake heron! I immediately felt so embarrassed that I looked around to see if anyone saw this whole episode. When I saw nobody else around I quickly resolved to never speak of this event. Why would I ever tell a living soul of this?

The reason I'm telling you about this now is because of exactly what happened. It's because of the fact that I was embarrassed about it. I'm revealing even my blunders because if I do that then I will never be self conscious of myself in such a bad way. I never want to let embarrassment affect me. I only want confidence to remain. Telling any story like this will only make me stronger.

So now I invite all of you to go ahead and laugh at me. I mean it. I deserve it for this because I think what happened is honestly and truly funny. Laughter doesn't hurt one bit; it only makes us happy. I know I would find it funny if it happened to someone else. And if you'd like to share one of your blunders too, go ahead. We will all get a laugh out of it, and we'll know we are laughing with another human being. I think you'll feel better for it. I feel better for this.