Food For The Soul

by Violet Rook

A rabbit ran across the path and into the bushes followed by a a little girl laughing and giggling with delight and her mother timid, but amused. I was walking through the gardens of the local town hall and civic centre. The gardens were lush with greenery and flowers. I had seen rabbits in the early evening nibbling the grass on the wide expanse of the gardens, the flags outside the building blowing in the breeze and the noise of the traffic filling the air. I stood at the Pelican Crossing and waited for at least five minutes for the green man to flash. Buses passed, lorries stopped and started. Impatient motorists blew horns. The mother collected her child before she and the child got to the rabbit and they both proceed into the rent office arm in arm discussing the adventure.

On other occasions, I’d seen another mother proceeded by her brood in the same area. This time it was a duck with five duckling in pursuit, waddling from the pond beneath the council chamber up the few steps and into the low pond in the courtyard of the building. This was all done while seagulls circled above watching the family in anticipation of a good meal. Here in the very centre of the city an island of magical proportions. While the motor car and the traffic rule the lifestyle of everyone travelling about the area, these little creatures seem to live out their lives, breed and give pleasure to those who observe and the innocent who behold them.

At times I am afraid to mention the sightings for fear of gossip spreading and perhaps some cruel deed might be done. Yet the gentle sights of nature are something to behold and discuss. On other occasions the garden area is occupied by sun worshippers while on their lunch hour. The trees give shade, while the people eat. It is a useful place which seems to adapt to its occupants.

Perhaps like in a ‘Midsummers Dream’ there are lots more sights and sounds in this green space which surrounds the building whose main reason for being is civic life. Most people pass by and don’t seem to notice the rabbits and the ducks, the towering trees full of nests the butterflies and bees. At night the area is bathed in a purple-blue glow which sets the imagination alight. Could it be a magical castle, a green gem set in a silver sea, which defends and maintains life in many forms?