Pond

And although it was not yet quite dark, a light was shining from one of its windows.

"That's Barry's Pond,"

Said Matthew.

"Oh, I don't like that name either.

I hate the look of them."

"Oh, I don't think that can be exactly the same kind of a thrill.

Do you think it can? There doesn't seem to be much connection between grubs and lakes of shining waters, does there? But why do other people call it Barry's Pond?"

"I reckon because Mr. Barry lives up there in that house.

Chapter 11.

The Pond.

I've always liked ponds, whether they're found in gardens or out in the countryside.

And let's not forget rock pools.

You feel it around your ankles first, then it settles in as though it has decided to stay for a while.

By any sensible measure, it should have been unpleasant, but it never quite was.

There was something oddly satisfying about it, as though you had committed fully to the moment Become part of the pond rather than simply an observer of it.

Wet socks and all.

Yes.

Um, I was out, uh, west, um, in the, uh, like the 180 road, which is people on the west coast know where, like Mitchell's Pond area.

Yeah.

There was a brand-new set of keys on the road, and, uh, there's no name or nothing on them, they're just the two keys.

So yeah, y- more often than not, someone, if the people, the owners aren't listening, someone who might know that the owners are missing them might be listening.

Uh, just give me an, an idea.

So yeah, Mitchell's Pond area, and right on the road there's no, like novelty chain with it? It's just two keys on a silver ring?

No, just, yeah, uh, yeah, it's, um, they're brand new and, uh, it's, it's on a, going in on a road where, where people, like they, they pull off and, and park their cars that are, where, somewhere they go berry picking.

Lord High Steward

What evil eye as well am having We're always trying to be saving And ever greater is our need Thus daily grows this task of mine The cooks have all they want at present Wild boar and deer and hare and pheasant Duck, peacock, turkey, goose, and chicken These paid in kind are certain picking And do not seriously decline Yet after all we're short of wine Where casks on cask were once our cellar's filling Rare vintages of flavors finely thrilling The noble lords' eternal swilling Has drained them off till not a drop appears The city council too must tap their liquor They drink from mug and jug and beaker Till no one longer sees or hears Tis I must pay for all the dances The Jew will have me past all chances His notes of hand and his advances Will soon eat up the coming years Before they're fat the swine are taken Pond is the pillow ere one waken The bread is eaten ere the board it sees

Emperor, after some reflection, to Mephistopheles

Say, fool, canst thou not add a want to these?

That's going to be – I'm going to be very curious.

This is one that I think is a little bit difficult to figure out because you just have – you know, Pond is playing at such a level right now, offensive player of the week in the Mountain West last week.

Tali Hawkins is just getting a little better, a little better, a little more comfortable.

She had another game last night.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief reflection from the life of this particular storyteller.

Series 2 of Big Skies and Small Ponds begins next week with Chapter 11 entitled The Pond.

I hope you can join me.

Until then, enjoy writing and living your own stories.

Lord High Steward

What evil eye as well am having We're always trying to be saving And ever greater is our need Thus daily grows this task of mine The cooks have all they want at present Wild boar and deer and hare and pheasant Duck, peacock, turkey, goose, and chicken These, paid in kind, are certain picking And do not seriously decline Yet after all, we're short of wine Where casks on cask were once our cellar's filling Rare vintages of flavors finely thrilling The noble lords' eternal swilling Has drained them off till not a drop appears The city council, too, must tap their liquor They drink from mug and jug and beaker Till no one longer sees or hears Tis I must pay for all the dances The Jew will have me, past all chances His notes of hand and his advances Will soon eat up the coming years Before they're fat, the swine are taken Pond is the pillow ere one waken The bread is eaten ere the board it sees

Emperor, after some reflection, to Mephistopheles

Say, fool, canst thou not add a want to these?

His notes of hand and his advances Will soon eat up the coming years.

Before they're fat the swine are taken; Pond is the pillow ere one waken; The bread is eaten ere the board it sees.

Emperor, after some reflection, to Mephistopheles

Say, fool, canst thou not add a want to these?