boats

She carefully placed the boat on the water, making sure it stayed upright. She had a fleet of three to launch and she wanted all of them to make their way down the stream without drowning. The boat caught the gentle breeze and swayed a bit. The early morning sunlight glinted off the water as the boat made its way down the gurgling stream. Its siblings came soon after.

She raced ahead to get a better view and perched herself on a large rock. She glistened with pride as the boats slowly made their way down the stream. She could still hear the muffled shouts from her house but she did her best to ignore it. Of course they were shouting at each other again. Why were they always angry?

'Oh no!'

While she was distracted, one of the boats had toppled over and was floating upside down. She grabbed a nearby stick and fished it out. It was drenched. She shook off the water and tried to put it back in but it started to sink, its stern collapsing into papery mush. Irritated she pulled it out again. This is not how she was hoping it'd go.

'That's not a boat'.

Startled, she looked around. A shirtless, skinny boy with messy hair was looking at her with a solemn look on his face.

'Once the boat capsizes, it is no longer a boat. It is just wet paper'.

'You sound very wise'.

'I am', he nodded gravely.

'Then what do I do now?'

'Accept the truth.'

'The truth?'

'That sometimes, a boat is just paper.'

They walked in silence, following the surviving two boats.

'I see that you have used notebook paper. Good. Newspaper is not great for boats.'

'Those pages were from last term. Who needs it anymore? So, where do you float your boats? I have not seen you around before.'

'I used to live on the other side of the village. I left home today.'

'That sounds dangerous. Where are you going?'

'No where. I am going to live in the world.'

'Weren't you already living in the world?'

He looked at her with a slight smile. 'You're wise too.'

She smirked. 'Of course, I am'.

'I don't think I will be happy staying at home. My parents don't understand me.'

'Did something happen today?'

'My mom tried to get me to eat spinach today. I am not sure how many more times I would be able to explain that it tastes horrible, and therefore, is obviously not good for you. Look at apple. It tastes amazing, and what do they say about it? "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away."'

'Wow. I have never really thought about food that way. Of course it all makes sense now. I wonder why our parents would force us to eat food that is not good.'

'You know what I think? I think they are afraid to admit that they made a mistake buying it by believing other grownups. They are all in this delusion together. They don't realize that us kids can see right through it.'

'Don't you think you should try and help your parents understand, instead of leaving home? Have you tried telling them about the apple?'

'I did. They just get angry and tell me to stop talking nonsense.'

'I guess they don't want to admit their mistake to a child. That is so silly.'

'I suppose so.'

'If my parents weren't fighting, you could have come home and had an apple.'

'My parents fight too. I am sad on those days.'

'Yeah, but they love each other though.'

'Maybe I should go back and help them. They are only grownups. They need help.'

'Yeah. It's good that we kids are the wise ones. It only makes sense that we should be the ones to help them'.

While they talked, the boats have drifted away out of sight.

She started walking towards her house and turned back.

'Will you come by again?'

'It would inconvenience me since I am going to live back at home, but I will.'

She smiled and waved. He nodded and walked away.