The Art of Life
PROLOGUE
MR. EARTHWORM
Between the intersection of Park Street and Winterfield Avenue, an earthworm crawls across the wet gravel road, damp from the drizzle of the previous night. Our story begins on a warm and cloudy afternoon, in an ordinary little town and on an ordinary little street.
A not-so-oft used road of the town, the earthworm had little to worry about. Not much traffic on this particular road, aside from the occasional bikers, pedaling past without so much as a glance at the dreary and dull scenery. However, there is one event that is a guarantee, a young boy with wavy dark hair, walking home from school every day at exactly 2:37 PM.
The earthworm was almost across the road when the clouds began to disperse and scorching sunlight started to shine through the cracks. The shadows gave way and the light raced towards the earthworm like a lion on a gazelle's hindquarters or a fat guy on a loose M&M. Oblivious to the impending danger, it didn’t realize it until it was too late. The blazing sun began to beat down on its slimy exterior, drying away the earthworm’s precious moisture. For a second, the earthworm thought it was going to die, dry and shrivelled up on the middle of the street, its life ended prematurely and unfair – such is the cruelty of nature.
But suddenly, the earthworm felt itself being lifted gently. As it dangled helplessly, it could see that it was being carried towards a soft and moist patch of mud. Paradise for the poor little earthworm. Slowly the mysterious force brought the earthworm down to the ground, carefully as to not accidentally hurt it.
“There you go silly Mr. Earthworm, remember to look left, right AND up before you cross the street next time.” came a kind and warm voice.
After crawling off its saviour’s hand, the earthworm turned and watched as a young boy walked away, chuckling at his own clever joke. It didn’t know it, but its life was just saved by the most extraordinary boy, and the focus of our story.