Several Christmases ago, Dad gave me a box of books, inside of which was a copy of Leo Buscaglia’s book Loving Each Other, and in true Felix fashion, he put a note in the book for me to be sure to read the story at the end of the foreword. I read it that day, and I still read it often.
When I received an email from a friend this week giving me an update on her recent eye surgery and the way her year has begun, she told me that she knew she needed to shift her focus away from the things pulling her down. She decided to cook a meal for a friend who was sick with Covid. My mind went immediately to this fable, which tells the secret to happiness. I share this Pantoum today to thank my dad for the book with the story and to honor my friend Glenda, who gives selflessly and enjoys the “behind the scenes” random acts of kindness for others, even as she herself continues to heal. I also celebrate my one little word – listen – which also comes into focus, front and center, in this fable.
The Wish
she wished to be happy
so the little girl listened to the good fairy
the good fairy whispered the secret to happiness
for saving a butterfly impaled on a thorn
so the little girl listened to the good fairy
as she grew, no one was happier than she
for saving a butterfly impaled on a thorn
others asked how she was so happy
as she grew, no one was happier than she
she smiled and said, “I listened to a good fairy.”
others asked how she was so happy
“I’m happy because I’m needed,” she shared.
she smiled and said, “I listened to a good fairy.”
the good fairy whispered the secret to happiness
“I’m happy because I’m needed,” she shared.
she wished to be happy
Common Threads 
Isn’t Leo Buscalgia one of the best? I love his work and am never disappointed when reading his words. I like the eclectic nature of your writing, bringing in many experiences and cinching them with the common them of needing each other.
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Ruth, he is an amazing writer! We need more of his kind of writing in these times. Thank you for reading and commenting. I chose the Pantoum for this – I like the form a lot, its repeating phrases and the way it has a circular ending. Anna Roseboro challenged us to write a Pantoum a few years ago, and I still enjoy writing these. I think it lends to the eclectic feet and brings a style that I would not have on my own without the form.
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