something occurred to him--so he went to tell the others as fast as he could. out of breath. i think i'm..out of place, he said.

They tell him he isn't any different. he lives in the tree with them. eats the same things--bugs and worms are sufficient. takes the same lessons to fly, but his wings don't seem to flap quite the way theirs do..instead of flying, ever falling. he's smaller than they are, but that's alright--nature happens. he came from an egg, like the others did. he gets along alright, has a nice place to live. gets support from the same group he's always known. doesn't particularly worry himself about the next meal. he should be happy. there doesn't seem to be anything he's missing--but still, there is this overwhelming feeling...something. something..and he just. can't. breathe.

and for the whole of his life, he's been told he's a bird. no one ever questioned it..They said he's a bird, so why shouldn't he be?

--

you're overreacting, they all told him. you're where you were meant to be. you were born to be here. don't worry so much about it. what do you mean you can't breathe? of course you can...everybody can breathe. just calm down, you'll be alright. hush...you're alright. go flying with the others. soar through the sky, and enjoy the fresh air. breathe.

and he sits in the tree...wondering if he could actually fly among the clouds, failing with every attempt. then looks down at the sea below the cliff, and imagines life in the water...swimming. exploring the waterworld paradise. knowing he could never live there--because he's a bird, understand. and birds can't live in the sea.

they told him to breathe.

--

but what if..just think, if he's not alright. what if he really can't breathe. what if he really won't survive here. in this tree. in this world. in this life.
you see, the problem is this...



..he's a fish

--




dream