Katie X. Lu

A Walk with Ortis

Fusion of Nature, Humanity and Vision

Like every time we set out, Otis stubbornly sat himself down on the lawn and would not budge. I had a destination in mind and the sun was setting as quickly as ever, so I was feeling a bit impatient. Luckily he is small, and a few tugs was enough to get him to start walking. 
  I understand him though. He has a wild soul, and being tethered while freedom spreads around just out of reach is a terribly punishing feeling. It’s like seeing the sunset while driving, but not being able to take a proper look in case you get distracted. It makes the whole ordeal so much less appealing.
  But this suffering is fleeting. As soon as we reached the main road he forgot all his woes, taking off and dragging me with him. I understand this too. Why restrict yourself with pessimism when there is so much to appreciate? Even though we walk the same route everyday, there is always something different and exciting to discover. It feels pointless to dwell in regrets.
  The sky was gorgeous; the shifting light spread throughout the twisted and scattered breaths of clouds. Unfortunately, the most important part (the sun) was obscured by the surrounding trees. So naturally, I wanted to find a more open viewing space. I trekked through moist turf until I could see the sun shimmering above a distant line of evergreens, illuminating the wispy clouds that painted the space above. 
  I was aware that I was straying from my original path, but at that moment I knew I would regret it more if I left the sunset un-observed. And what excuse did I have to miss it? I wasn’t even driving. Plus, if I later find out that I was too late for my final destination too, then I would have to go home with nothing. 
  I have missed out on easily attainable things many times in the past because of hesitation and fear, and it’s not pleasant. But instead of falling into regret time and time again, I tried learning to embrace certain impulses. I have become much braver and happier since. And, because this walk did not have any high stakes, I decided it would be a perfect opportunity for building up some trust in myself.
  I was still staring at the sky when Otis began impatiently dragging me back to the road. He continued pulling with all his might for the next few minutes, as if he knew we had time to recover. I’m lucky I have him to bring me back on track.
  As we rounded the bend I began to see the white shapes flashing behind yellowing leaves and outstretched branches. Some appeared through gaps in the foliage while others popped out above to show their graceful flight before returning below the line of trees. 
  We were a bit late; the golden hour sunlight no longer cast that ethereal glow over their coats. But the view was nonetheless stunning: twenty or so egrets settled on a tree, some flapping their wings in a show of dominance, others calmly grooming themselves. Despite having seen this many times before, their presence always feels like magic to me. 
  I absorbed the scene before my eyes, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction amidst my wonder. I was also feeling a renewed sense of confidence in myself, as I was able to experience two incredible happenings simply because I was willing to trust my instincts. 
  I was in a very good mood. Good enough that I didn’t even mind when Otis kept throwing fits on the way home. Actually, I understand him on this too. If it weren’t for the fact that the sun was already below the horizon, I would have stayed outside longer too. But such regrets are insignificant and I gladly let them be eclipsed by the more prominent feelings of content.