The Green Man
When I heard a rustling in the brush, I expected to see a doe, possibly with a fawn, considering the time of year. I prepared my camera, ready to aim. But there you were instead, with that aha look on your face.
“How did you find me?”
“I read everything you wrote. Studied your photos. Mapped public computers with Internet access. You send your work from somewhere close. Less than a day’s hike away.”
“Was this your first guess?”
“More like my fiftieth. I’ve been looking for you for a long time. These woods are thick.”
I went into my tent, brought out my best canvas chair, even added a soft pillow for your back. I handed you a notebook filled with my latest stories, photos stuffed between the pages. Bless you, you never asked a single question, just quietly turned the pages as you read. I watched your facial expressions change from interest to intensity to grief to wonder. Once you even chuckled.
A comfortable hour went by. I wrote a few lines, took several closeups of wild Solomon Seals and Trilliums in bloom, wrote a few more lines. Tomorrow I would send the new chapters with illustrative pictures to my publisher, who would notify a host of activists, politicians and Green investors.
Our shared silence was bringing us closer than five years of marriage had done. I marveled at the changes in you.
Finally you closed my notebook and reached in your backpack to draw out a scrapbook of newspaper clippings.
“Beloved Professor Leaves Academia to Chronicle Woodland Life”
“Tales from an Endangered World Becomes #1 NY Times Best Seller”
“Green Man Influences Government Decisions”
“Modern-day Thoreau and His Walden Woods”
“Prof Disappears but Enthralls World With Weekly Writings”
“Why are you here?” I asked.
“To join forces again. Thought you might need a Green Woman.” The last time you looked that radiant was on our honeymoon.
I slipped into the tent and brought out a camera that was the twin of mine, and a blank notebook inscribed with an invitation. “Dearest Liesel – let’s save the planet – together!”
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHi, Julie. I love it. I also want to join forces to save the planet. I hope that I will also receive an invitation. That is a great honor.
Thank you, Lotchie. I think we are all doing our part – you live simply and don’t use too many resources. Many of us recycle and compost, and right now we’re writing stories to help raise awareness. So we have joined forces to save the planet! Carry on!
You’re welcome, Julie. And thank you for letting me know that I am already joining the forces.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleJulie, ‘The Green Man’ is a well-crafted story. Good work!
Thank you, Dipayan. I have a great fondness for this off-the-grid professor. I wish I could meet him and read his stories and see his pictures!
I love this story, Julie. But please, can you shed more light on the paragraph before the last? Thank you.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello Thompson. I’m so glad you love the story. Let me tell you a bit more about that next to the last paragraph. First of all, the title of the story and one of the newspaper articles reference the “Green Man” who is a legendary being that goes back over a thousand years, especially in Europe. He is a symbol of rebirth, renewal of the natural world. There are statues, rock carvings,… Read more »
Yes, it does Julie. Thank you so much.
Very good. I thought I was more in the supernatural realm at first, but then read them as just super humans.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThat’s so interesting, Susan. I wonder what made it seem that they were supernatural? They really are just ordinary humans, a professor and his wife who have left normal day-to-day life to chronicle the world of nature while it still exists, and to encourage the love of and protection of wild life with photos and writings. I wish I knew them. ?
I believed that this was a supernatural realm at first, as well. I love that they can reconnect through shared beliefs. They make me feel hopeful for better days to come. ?
I enjoyed the feeling of this couple reconnecting through common beliefs. I felt a real moment of ‘Stanley finding Livingstone’, Julie! Loved it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOh wow – Dr. Livingstone, I presume! A nice comparison. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Thank you for a very well-written story, Julie. I love how you use the healing of the relationship between the professor and his wife Liesel as a symbol for their fight for healing the planet. Their coming together with this common dedication puts an optimistic touch to your story.
Yes, I have high hopes for these two. By moving into the world of wildness and sharing its endangered beauty, they may achieve better results than the city-dweller shouting climate change from his/her apartment building. At least I hope so. Thanks for reading and commenting, Christer. ?
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello Julie, a beautifully written story with a positive ending with a twist. I didn’t expect the Stanley in your story to be Mrs Livingstone.
Hello Alan! Thanks for your comment. I liked adding the Green Woman to the story! She’ll be a great asset now that she truly understands her husband’s commitment. ?