The Swan and the Paper Crane

The tired girl wandered slowly beside the shimmering lake. She had been here many times before but today her heart was heavy and her mind was impatient.

Usually the lake was a deep blue colour but today it was a dull grey, reflecting both the uninspiring weather and the girl’s dampened mood.

Then, in the distance a small figure appeared, a tiny speck in the distance to start with but gradually taking form as it approached. After standing inquisitively for a while the girl was eventually able to make out that it was a beautiful swan.

The girl stood silent. She reflected on the apparent calm of the swan, majestically approaching. However she reflected on the fact that underneath the surface, the swan’s feet would be hard at work, paddling frantically. Maybe, she thought, this was a metaphor for her own life at the moment. Sometimes it takes hard work, unseen by others, just to keep moving with dignity.

The girl moved on. Her steps a little quicker, inspired by her thoughts. The sky seemed a little brighter now, or was it just her mind playing tricks on her. Maybe the conditions were just the same but her attitude had changed.

A little further on, she spotted something nestled in the tall reeds, another speck of white but this one nearer and motionless. At first, she thought that this was litter. She approached it to pick it up, fierce in her protection of the lake and its natural beauty. As she got closer, though, she saw that it was a little folded crane. She knew from her travels to Japan that this was both a symbol of peace and a wish for good health. Maybe it was a message for her. She picked it up and although it was damp and a little crumpled around the edges, it was perfect she thought. She carefully placed it in her lunchbox and set off for home.

On her journey home she felt reflective. She pondered on the fact that the swan and the paper crane were part of the same journey. As she began to focus more on her thoughts than her emotions she realised something. The swan and the paper crane were both two forms of the same thing.

One was born to fly and yet chose gracefulness in the water. The other could not fly at all but was able to represent positivity. Together, she reflected, they were able to convey different types of hope. One glides steadily through dark waters and the other is constructed from fragile folds and optimistic wishes.

Perhaps it was enough to be like the swan and just keep moving. Maybe she needed to hold the shape of hope and spread positivity. She noticed that the sun had started to poke through the clouds.