Out of the Cave

Suddenly Rosalie says “I cannot stand to be in this cave any longer.  I miss the sun, the moon and the stars in the sky.  All I see is the covering of the cave that makes me feel closed in and depressed.

Rosalie looked into the eyes of the Owl and says “You must help me get out of this cave.”

The Owl says to Rosalie “Walk along and I’ll follow you.”

Rosalie says “I cannot see well in this cave.”

The Owl says to Rosalie “You follow-me.  Hang onto my wing and I will lead you out of this cave.”  Rosalie takes the Owl’s wing and they head into the thick darkness.  It turns pitch black but the Owl leads with authority. 

After many minutes in silence, with only their steps to be heard, the Owl and Rosalie see a glimmer of light through the darkness. Together they reach the opening.

Rosalie looks up to see the blue sky and bright sun and feels joy.  The Owl says to Rosalie, climb onto my back and we will fly and feel the fresh air.  The Owl takes flight and the air falls on Rosalie’s face and cools her forehead.  

Rosalie feels free. 

The Cave

“Well, said the Lady in the Moon.  It sure will be interesting to read the newspapers on the Earth writing about me: ‘The Lady in the Moon.’  

Where are you going to go now, Rosalie?” Said the Lady in the Moon.

                

“I would like to go and see St. Rosalie in the cave in Sicily.  I have heard so much about her.” 

                

“That is possible.”  Said the Owl.  “We can fly there now.”

                

“Get on my back.  Say good-bye to the Lady in the Moon and away well will fly to St. Rosalie’s cave.”

                

“Good bye, Lady in the Moon,” said Rosalie with a big smile on her face.  “I love you. Good bye”

                

The Lady in the Moon, smiled and said “Good Bye. It has been fun.”

                

Rosalie got on the Owl’s back and away they flew.

                

Down, down to Sicily to find St. Rosalie’s cave.

                

A bright light shines brilliantly towards the North and away they flew towards the light. 

                

Coming near the cave of St. Rosalie, the Owl slowly drifted downward toward the opening of the cave.  There standing at the opening was a woman of stature. 

                

Rosalie climbed off of the Owl and walked up to the woman.  “Are you St. Rosalie of the Cave?”

                

“Yes I am,” said the Woman.

“I received notice that you were coming from our friend, the Owl.  Please come into the cave.  I have many things to show you.”  Said St. Rosalie.

                

Rosalie and the Owl followed St. Rosalie into the cave.  The cave seemed to lighten up and there were many areas to travel through the cave.

                

St.  Rosalie walked forward and told Rosalie and the Owl to follow her. 

                

St. Rosalie said, “As we walk, look on the walls and you will see beautiful paintings done by the people who live in the cave.”

                

Rosalie and the Owl followed St. Rosalie with excitement.

                

They first came to one picture that had some beautiful rocks and water floating all around them. 

                

Rosalie said out loud, “Look the Water is moving in the picture!!! How can that be?”

                

St. Rosalie said, “All paintings here are miraculous.  Done by the greatest painters that ever were born. Come along there is more to see.”

                

They walked forward into the cave and saw another picture with a volcano exploding with real rocks and fire coming from its opening.

                

“Wow,” said Rosalie, “That is keen.”

                

Then they walked forward, and suddenly the air was filled with a powerful, strong aroma. 

                

The next picture had beautiful flowers that had bloomed and allowed their aroma to fill the air – red flowers, purple flowers, and every color imaginable. 

                

Rosalie was so impressed she stood there mesmerized. 

                

“Come along,” said St. Rosalie, “we have more to see. The cave is deep and we need to cover a lot of territory.”

                

The next picture they saw was a large elephant roaring with his trunk flying high calling out to anyone that was passing by. 

                

“Wow,” said Rosalie.  “This could be frightening.”

                

“No, No,” St.  Rosalie said, “not at all.”

                

“They do not want to leave their habitat.  They are comfortable and well fed where they are now.”

           

“Let us turn the corner to see more of the animals that I have befriended and have kept me company for many days, and they have so many stories to tell.  We cannot stop to hear all of their stories, but they will tell you one by one as you live on the Earth.  Let us go forward.”  Said St. Rosalie.

Visit to the Moon

Rosalie climbs on the back of the owl, and the owl takes off with a “Whooff!” from its wings.

Rosalie says “Where are we going?” 

The owl answers, “You’ll see.” 

And up, up they went, as high as the sky would take them. 

Rosalie saw the round bright ball in front of her.   She said to the owl, “What is that?” 

The owl said, “We are going to see the “Man in the Moon.”

“Great,” said Rosalie.  “I have heard so much about him.”

The owl came to a screeching to a halt on the moon.  Rosalie was curious to know where the Man lived on the moon. 

They came to a strange hut.  The owl used his beak to knock on the door. 

Some strange animal opened the door. 

Rosalie said, “We have come to see the Man in the Moon.”

“What!” Said the strange animal.  “What!”

“The man in the moon!!!” The owl said loudly,

“Humph,” said the animal. “I don’t know who you are talking about.  Come this way, and you can speak to the leader.”

Rosalie and the owl followed the animal into a strange area, which they had to bend down very low, and crawl on their stomachs to get to where the animal was taking them.  

The animal scratched at a door which opened with a “Whish.” 

A voice came shouting through.  “Who’s there? Don’t you know it is night and I am so busy?”

Rosalie said, “We’ve come to see the Man in the Moon?”

The voice answered, “What Man in the Moon?  There is no Man in the Moon. Only me. I’m a Lady in the Moon. Where did you get the Man in the Moon? Can’t you see I’m a lady? I have been a Lady in the Moon—all my life.” 

Rosalie was taken aback.  She did not know what to say. 

The owl spoke, “We are surprised.  We come from the earth, and when we look up to the sky at night, we see the picture of a Man in the Moon.  Why is that?”

The woman laughed and said, “That is not a compliment to me, as a woman.  I am thoroughly surprised that the people on Earth see a Man in the Moon.”

All of a sudden, they heard a grumpy old voice and from the side came a man – an old, old man. 

“That’s him!!  That’s him,” said Rosalie.  “That’s the Man in the Moon.”

The Lady said, “That is my grandpa. I have taken care of him after my grandma died many, many years ago.  He wonders around the moon, and explores everything around.  That keeps him happy and busy.  I did not realize he was looking down at the Earth so many people thought he was the key person on the moon.  What a wonderful gift he has given the world.  Be assured, he is a wonderful grandpa and he has done his best to keep the moon very organized.  He is not totally in charge.  I am.  But I am pleased to give him the acknowledgement of being the Man in the Moon. But it is I, who takes care of the moon, and the things around it.”

Rosalie laughed and said, “I can’t wait to tell all my friends on Earth that a woman is taking care of the moon.”

The Visit

Little Rosalie was lying in bed thinking of all the good things she was going to do tomorrow. For tomorrow was Saturday, and she’ll have two days off from school.  What fun she was thinking of having!!!

Then she heard something strange.  Her window was open for the night because there was a great fall evening.  As the breeze blew into her room, she heard the sound again.

 “OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO,” then silence. 

Rosalie sat up in bed.  “What was that?” She whispered to herself.  Everyone in the house was asleep.  Her mother. Her father, and sister and brother. 

Again she heard, “OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO.”  She jumped up towards the window and tried to look outside, but it was so dark.  She could not make out any figure or thing.

Then Rosalie called out softly, “who is there?”  She knew that all her family was asleep and she did not want to disturb them.  But the sounds were still coming through her window.  She listened tentatively. 

And again she heard, “OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO.”  Rosalie decided to go outside the house and find out what was making that sound.  Maybe it was a dog.  Maybe it was a small animal that needed help.  Rosalie was anxious to help the poor animal. 

Opening the door softly so as not to disturb anyone, she went outside and groped around the porch.  Then she left the porch and walked around the grassy yard. 

Again she heard, “OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO,” but this time it was louder.  She reached out with her hands in front of her and tried to touch the voice.  The moon shone brightly over the yard and suddenly Rosalie felt a soft animal. 

The animal did not dart away, but stood there making its sound, “OOO OOO OOO OOO OOO.”  Rosalie caught sight of the animal.  It was a big, beautiful owl.  It was not afraid to be touched by Rosalie. 

Rosalie talked to the owl.  “What a wonderful owl you are. I am so happy to have you visit me.  Why did you choose to visit me? It is a great gift that you have given me.” 

 The owl spoke “I’ve come to be your special friend. You have always been special to every animal in this yard.  I’ve come to take you for a ride on my back and fly to distant places.  I cannot tell you how long we will be, but you will be back for your morning breakfast.  Get on my back and we will travel afar.”