As I stood there today, gazing over the yellow grassy fields and up at the clear blue sky, I began to listen to the silence. It was silent save for the chirping of the grasshoppers, which reminded me of the Aesop Fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper". It goes like this:
In a field one summer’s day, a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An ant passed by, bearing along with great toil, an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.
"Why not come and chat with me," said the grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"
"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the ant, "and recommend you do the same."
"Why bother about winter," said the grasshopper, "we have plenty of food at present."
But the ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the grasshopper had no food, and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from stores they had collected in the summer. Then the grasshopper knew, "It is best to prepare for the days of necessity".
I closed my eyes and continued to listen. The grasshoppers kept chirping and I thought of how the first frost is not far away and that they will soon die. My thoughts drifted and I began thinking of the many signs of preparation for winter. All around the valley gardens are being harvested and fruits and vegetables are being preserved. Wheat is being cut and threshed and firewood is being chopped. Hunting season is in full swing and wild game will provide meat on the table. Bears are fattening up and geese are flying south. Fall has barely arrived, but we know winter is just around the corner.
Peace filled me as I opened my eyes and drew back my bow. "I am one with the bow," I thought, and let it fly.