The Innocent

Final Lesson

They were standing outside in a half circle, looking towards the trees. Standing on Auntie's right Melanie thought back over the last few months. She had been living there for nine whole months, learning all there was that Auntie could teach her. Jon stood on Auntie's left thinking too about what he had learnt, the things he had never thought he would be able to do. Auntie had told them many legends, taught them many skills besides magic. She had taught them self defense, how to hunt with a bow, and skin rabbits with a knife. He had quickly caught up to Melanie in that respect. But the bulk of their lessons had focused on magic. How to talk to the trees, how to control the wind to focus it, to glow just enough to light your way or blind people. They understood what animals meant when they made their noises and what the birds were saying as they sung. Melanie always excelled, while Jon had learnt to hide his discomfort at being slower to learn and weaker when he did. Auntie had brought them outside to farewell them, for this was to be their last lesson, she had saved the best for last.

"Well, this is it." Auntie said as she swung her hands together, "Your final lesson."

Jon and Melanie looked at her expectantly.

"This is the one thing I could never do. I guess it's because I was afraid of heights." She laughed and looked to the sky, "Anyway, I shall tell you what my father told me."

Melanie looked at her listening carefully and staring into Aunties eyes

"Melanie, don't do that." Auntie's voice was annoyed

"Sorry, I'm not really used to it."

"Just watch yourself, people aren't as easy to read as animals and it can quite easily be turned back on you." Auntie clapped her hands together again, "Right, now listen carefully you two, if you don't learn this today you will never learn it."

"What happened to you can do anything?" Jon objected

"Life's got to keep a few tricks to itself, you ought to have learnt that by now." Auntie sighed, "Do you want me to tell you what your going to be learning or not?"

She paused as Melanie and Jon both nodded eagerly.

"What you will be learning today," She paused dramatically, "Is the art of flying."

"Are you serious?" Melanie exclaimed

"You've got to be kidding." Jon piped in

"Yes, I am serious. And no, I'm not kidding. This lesson has nothing to do with what you have learned before. This is not a test of power or skill it is a test of belief and trust. You both must be prepared to believe that you will fly and are truly flying. If you are too worried about falling you'll never leave the ground." Auntie fixed Jon then Melanie with her piercing stare, "Are you ready?"

They both nodded solemnly to her.

"Well then what are you waiting for." She grinned at them, "Anything is possible if you believe in it."

Auntie turned around and strode back indoors, leaving Melanie and Jon alone. They looked at each other eyebrows raised.

"Want to try it?" Melanie whispered

"May as well." He paused, "Do you suppose we jump off something?"

"That doesn't seem like how magic works. Maybe just try thinking about it."

"Yeah okay." Jon closed his eyes. A light wind swirled the leaves at her feet coaxing them gently till they were drawing circles around the pair. Slowly and ever so slightly Jon raised on to his toes, then up he went half a metre into the air. Melanie squealed excitedly.