Woollen Life

The Beginning of a New Life

I was born - if you want to call it that - in a little village. The wool I was created from was that of a kind, young sheep. After it had been sheared the wool was brought to a factory where it would be thoroughly washed and combed. After that they created very long, very thin strands, that would then be curled around each other to create a thread of yarn. That's how I came into existence.

I was spun to a bundle and while many of my brothers and sisters got a make over by being dyed into all kinds of different colours and colour combinations, I directly went to the next step: I got new clothes! Well, maybe you wouldn't call it that, but for me, when they put the label on me, it was like getting new clothes. I was excited what it would look like and if it would fit me. And when I finally got it, wearing it made me feel not so naked if you will, but sheltered and safe. My new dress was white with black, delicate letters saying Lorelei. My name. I overflowed with joy. Lorelei. What a nice name. I loved the sound of it.

While I was busy admiring my new outfit, I was put into a bag where some of my siblings joined me. It was so dark that you couldn't even see the yarn bundle next to you. After all the excitement of the day I suddenly got very tired and soon fell asleep.

When I woke up, I found myself in a very big room with lots of shelves and tables all full with yarn, books, needles and so much more handicraft related stuff. Sunlight flowed through the large windows casting the room into a warm light. I myself lay in a wooden basket in a shelf.

"Hey! How are you doing?" I heard a voice saying and was so shocked that I couldn't answer. But the voice didn't seem to care, because it just kept going on: "Is your name Lorelei as well? How interesting! I wonder why we are all called the same? Anyway, aren't you excited for what's to come? Who do you think will buy us? I hope it's a nice old lady! They always know what they're doing and would handle us with care and affection. Children are cute but ..."

While the voice was still going on about whatever it was talking about, I tried to figure out where it was coming from. But I didn't have a clue.

"By the way, why don't you say anything?", my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the voice. "You don't know how to do it, don't you?"

The voice was right. I didn't think of it before but now that it mentioned it, I realised I had no clue if or how I could speak. Up until now I had always been on my own and even when I was in that bag with my siblings none of us tried to talk. I didn't even think about it. It never occured to me that this kind of thing was possible for us.

"You know, we don't speak like the humans do. We don't have a mouth or vocal chords - or anything for that matter - to speak loudly, which probably makes you wonder how on earth we can communicate then. The answer is simple: thoughts. If you want to tell me something just focus on me and think about what you want me to know. With a bit of practice it's really easy! Why don't you try it?"

Communicating through thinking? I wasn't sure I could believe that. But supposing it was true, could the other one who the voice belonged to hear everything I was thinking? No, it told me I needed to focus on it in order for it to work. So I probably didn't need to worry about that. After a few moments of contemplating I decided to give it a shot. After all, I wouldn't lose anything if it didn't work. I concentrated on the voice and started thinking: "Hello?"

...

No answer. I tried again: „Hello? Can you hear me?" Still no answer. I knew it wouldn't work. "What a fool I've made of myself! Luckily no one but me knows of this" I thought to myself.

"Nice try! Although I only heard a muffled sound and couldn't make out words. But I'm sure you'll get it next time. You could try to shout, it may make it easier" the voice said again.

Shout? Well, it couldn't hurt to try.

"HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!"

I shouted as loud as I could.

"Oh blimey! That was so loud I could have heard you even when you were on the other end of the world!"

I couldn't believe it! It really had worked. "You can hear me?" I asked quieter this time.

"Of course I can! I'm not deaf! Although I very well could be after you screamed at me that way" the voice answered in a very sarcastic way. Then it continued: "Since we have the same name, we probably should think about some nicknames to avoid confusion."

"Good id-... Wait, what? We have the same name? How do you know?" Now that the voice mentioned it... I suddenly remembered that one of the first sentences it spoke to me was "Is your name Lorelei as well?"

"Well, it's written on your label, of course, you silly" it chuckled. "We all have the same. Didn't you notice?"

„No, I did not." I said sadly. I thought I and my name were unique. Now I knew better. I was the same as all my siblings.  How foolish of me to think I could be something special!

"Oh cheer up! It's not the end of the world, you know. We can find you a name that fits you perfectly and makes you stand out of the crowd", the other one said as if it knew what was troubling me.

"Ok, I'm in! Do you have something in mind?" I said because now I was very intrigued and excited. But at the same time I was still sad to give up my original name which I hadn't had long and was so fond of. Before the other one could answer I added: "But I think I want a name close to the one we already have because I rather like it and would be sad to give it up."

"How about Lory?" asked the other Lorelei.

"I like that. No, I love that!" I rejoiced. "But what about you? What kind of name do you want?"

"Hmm, good question. Very good question indeed." The other one said slowly and thought about it for a moment before exclaiming: "I know! I want to be called Lila!"

"Lee-lah? That's an odd name. Odd, but pretty!" I answered having some difficulty with the pronunciation.

"Thank you! It means lilac in various languages like German or Spanish."

"Lilac as in... purple?" I asked confused.

"Yes, of course! I love purple!"

"Well, I think the name suits you. Because you're odd as well" I said laughing and after a brief moment of silence Lila joined in. Then my whole world was suddenly turned upside down and before I even realized it everything around me was dark.