The Rock

I've written about all sorts of animals that I've met along the way. I've written about plants, the forest, and lakes, ponds, and rivers. All of them move and change in their own fashion. Some of these have been very exciting experiences, others have been calm and soothing. After all of these things, I realized that I had to write about something very important that I almost overlooked. A rock.

That's right. A simple little stone. Who hasn't seen an interesting little rock and picked it up and put it in your pocket? Most of us have done this at least once at some time in our life. This is one of a kid's favorite things to do, and some grownups continue to like special little rocks they find.

While I was almost finished with my hike, and on my way out of the nature preserve, I saw this rock out of the corner of my eye. It almost seemed to sparkle. It was beckoning to me, almost as if it wanted me to pick it up. It looks so round and smooth, almost like an egg. I have to say that I fell in love with this rock.

Just look at it. There's not another one quite like it on this trail. It's almost as if there's a light shining down on it. Who could miss it when they walked by? Not me! I bent down and stared at it and studied it. Then I chose the perfect position, and took these pictures. What a wonderful rock!

As they say though, if you love something, set it free. So I left this rock right where it was. I set it free. I've regretted this decision ever since. I wanted that rock. I don't know why I left it there. It should've been mine. I even went back to the park and looked for it, but it wasn't there anymore. Gone forever. My poor lost little rock.

In the end, I guess I was never meant to have this rock. Somebody else must have picked it up. Now it's the little weight for someone else's pocket, and I have nothing. Somebody might say that there are other rocks, but I only wanted this one! Gone forever. Gone forever. My little rock.