Story Teller

My eight-year-old daughter tags along behind, making up stories as we follow the trail to Deer Canyon where I plan to show her a cliff dwelling. Elldorn, who I gather is an elf, seems to be having trouble with Buckwart.

I drift in and out of her story, from time to time inserting an “uh huh” while enjoying the sandstone pinnacles, an occasional claret cup cactus in bloom, the trill of a canyon wren.

“So what do you think Elldorn should do, Dad?”

“Um, maybe he should fight him.”

“Dad! Elldorn is a girl.”

“Well . . . I meant she should fight him. Elf against goblin.”

“Dad!! Buckwart is a dwarf. He’s her best friend.”

“Ah, yeah, um, perhaps they should fight them.”

“Dad!!! They're trying to help the feather people find a new home.”

emerging from
a patch of sand –
sweet vetch

Published in Haibun Today, January 20, 2008

Image: Tuwa Canyon after a Rainfall, Cedar Mesa, Utah