The Show of Sea and Sky

Sea and sky competed each summer for the grander spectacle. The sea raised silver fish; the sky sent blue storms. Between them, the hybrid rhinoceros was ordered to choose which world deserved the woman’s purple stage. Whenever he praised one, the other darkened.

On opening night he refused the script. He planted two feet in water, lifted his horn into cloud and asked the woman to conduct both. Waves became percussion; thunder answered; the rhinoceros above the surface danced badly but bravely. No world won.

The audience forgot to vote and began listening to the exchange. Sea and sky remained different, even jealous, but their boundary turned into music. The hybrid had spent years being asked to pick a side. His finest act was becoming the place where sides could meet.