Not Always What They Seem

Nora pulls me along the side of our house, under the melaleuca trees, straight towards our garden gate. I stand on tiptoe and lift the latch, and the dog pushes ahead, barely giving me time to close the gate. We’re going to run in the early morning sun, along the tracks in the bush.

We reach the edge of our front lawn, and we’re just about to turn towards the bush when we see an astonishing sight. There on the other side of the road, in our neighbour’s garden, only a few metres away, is a huge kangaroo. Its coat is lit up from the side by the glowing morning light. We freeze. Nora licks her lips. She quivers. And so do I.

We stare. The kangaroo stares back. Our eyes are locked. This is a magic awe-filled moment. I barely dare to breathe.

At the start of the day, we often see kangaroos as we’re running through the bush at the end of our road. When I catch sight of one ahead of us, I turn and go another way.

One morning, I didn’t have time to choose a different path. A kangaroo suddenly appeared from between the trees and hopped onto the track in front of us. As soon as Nora saw it, she grinned and doubled her speed. She took off in pursuit of the kangaroo, her leash taut as she pulled me along.

I dug my heels into the dust and braced my legs. Hand over hand, I reeled the leash in, trying to bring our heavy dog to a stop. Then the kangaroo left the path and disappeared back into the bush. The chase was over. Nora’s prize was gone.

Today, there’s another kangaroo, right ahead, on the other side of the road. We stand statue still. We stare. And then the magic fades as the kangaroo turns its head and slowly bounds away.

I let out my breath.

Later, I tell my family about the kangaroo: “Even though I was sad to see it leave, I was also relieved. What if Nora had leapt towards it? What if I’d not been able to control her?”

“So Nora failed once again to get a kangaroo.”

“That’s what she thinks. She doesn’t realise that she gets kangaroo every evening.”

“She does?”

“Oh yes, her kibble is dried kangaroo meat. It’s the ‘active dog’ variety.”

“She’s a kangaroo-powered dog who chases kangaroos?”

“Yes.”

We grin.

Our dog’s dinner is not what it seems. Hidden under the appearance of kibble is Nora’s dream.

Sometimes we search and chase in vain, not realising that we already have what our hearts desire. We have what we need.

More than a dream. A miracle.

At the altar.

Bread and wine.

Things are not always what they seem.

Photo by Graham Holtshausen on Unsplash