The Voice of Spring

After days of cold weather the sun had finally come out, the fields were full of flowers and I had decided to take a stroll through the herd, leisurely and carefully not to disturb the newborn foals. There were quite a few of them, and the whole scene was peaceful and quiet. I could see Epo-Na in the distance, munching on a particularly juicy patch of spring grass, and some of the younger mares were with her.
And then I heard him, far away, but unmistakable.
I stopped dead in my tracks, not moving, ears wide open.
And then again, there it was, far away but clear.
Like every year, it was a shock. My heart jumped in my throat, and I looked at Epo-Na. She had also heard, and stood, head raised, ears pricked forward, attentive and still.
I walked over to her, and whispered: ‘Did you hear?’. ‘Yes’, she whispered back, ‘it is the herald of spring, of hope, of new life, of babies, of gifts of unknown things, of a new world to come, of life, of the heart singing, of the Universe rejoicing.’
We both stood still, and then once again, there it was: the voice of spring, the voice of the cuckoo bird. He had once again returned from warmer climates to bring his message of hope and joy.
Epo-Na and I stood next to each other for a long time.
When I went home, his call was still in my ear, and my heart was singing. Yes, spring still has a voice, and there is hope for the world, for a new beginning, for a new start, for joy to find a home in the hearts of human animals. And in my heart I thanked the cuckoo bird, and the Universe who made him.