This story is for young teens and up.

This story uses anthropomorphism. Literature is full of this technique. What other stories do you know that contain non-living or non-human characters? I recently read Olivetti by Allie Millington, which I highly recommend! 

While it contains rhyme and meter, this story is purposely written in paragraph form. Read it as if written in normal sentences and don't try to force it into poetry.  I did not start out with the idea to write this story this way. A common thing you hear from writers is that the story decided how it would be written. This is very much true. 

What other life experiences or wishes could I have included in Zephyr's grants to the little girl? Why might I have chosen not to name any of the people? What questions do you have about this story?

 

A Zephyr Tale

     Early afternoon on a seaside hill, daisies and lupines standing still. 

Summer heat rises toward noon, families settling for lunch soon. A 

zephyr is born, begins to stir, brushes the cheek of a little girl. "It's 

time to eat," daddy calls his child, "Put down your flowers and take a 

seat." She picks one last one, and another, then under daddy's watch 

is reluctantly done. 

     Little girl tosses her flowers down, jumps over stones, all on her own. 

Zephyr follows with gentle air, matching its new friend's independent flair. 

Ruffles the dress of the skipping child, better watch out, Daddy, this one is 

wild. The little wind whispers into her ear, "Listen to daddy, you'll have 

nothing to fear." Then wishes the daddy all its best, looks for something to 

borrow, but leaves the rest.

     Zephyr grabs a napkin from the picnic lunch, lifts one up but not the bunch. 

It needs just this, just one small token to start the wish. A zephyr knows this 

job by heart, how to plan, its secret part. Toward the nearby little park, where 

they'll next go to play, Zephyr brings the napkin and lets it lay. Not to worry 

the napkin will be found, what matters is the future, one that will pass along 

this ground. 

     In the park a pinwheel suddenly spins, dizzy with childhood games and 

grins. This little breeze unseen, joins the fun just as keen. Wishes a girl a life 

of fun, friendships and laughter, joy and hearts to be won. The zephyr weaves 

through slides, dips under swings, and knows the good life that play brings. 

Some day a young girl will be here, to dance, to sing, to catch the goodwill 

a gentle breeze brought near. 

     Over at the schoolhouse a flag flutters, in a room where Zephyr's child 

will someday study. Books and lessons galore, errors and corrections and 

more. A wish for learning is deeply inspired, all the best teachers found 

and hired. Zephyr whispers his scholar's name, will watch her grow, she 

will learn the things she needs to know. Papers rustle to the floor as a little 

breeze heads to the door.

     Zephyr meanders through the seaside town, senses another wish that 

must be set down. It rings the chimes on a door of a shop, searching around 

and doesn't stop. And there it is a scent so sweet, daddy's favorite perfume, 

on a lady so pretty, kind, and neat. She feels a wind upon her cheek, is sure

 there is someone she must seek. Our girl and her daddy have each other, as a 

bonus Zephyr has found our young girl a new mother.

     Happy and content and feeling free, the breeze picks up a slight speed. 

Down to the beach it goes, under umbrellas, tickling toes. Good health cannot 

be forgotten, nor rest and relaxation unto those best begotten. Fresh air and 

sunshine, shovels and castles, splashing and dashing, as the tide measures time. 

Zephyr lifts a kite forever it seems, carries skyward the girl's hopes and dreams.

     Even the wind knows when to let go, leaves the kite as it drifts down low. 

The ocean is a place to reflect, the horizon calls our hearts to inspect. Zephyr 

looks out to sea, wishes wisdom for this tale's small family. The soft breeze is 

welcome on the hot sands, but bigger winds will sail the boats to other lands. 

Somber or thrill, serenity or courage, the difference is knowledge, and a girl's 

will is the wind's will. 

     Zephyr spies a church made of stone, heads back to town but not alone. It 

tosses the hair of a quiet young boy, is now ready for this part of the story. They 

both quietly go inside, with hushed steps of respect for those who have died. 

Zephyr whispers into his ear, "I know a girl you will hold so dear. She will heal 

your heart in a place that's near." It lifts the tie of the little boy kind and true, a 

perfect match for when the time is due. 

     There is so much more of life to live, so much more to wish and give. Our little 

breeze prances on, looking for treasures to grant upon. The feathers of chickens, the 

tail of a dog, blankets on clotheslines, and rain in the fog. Smoke in a chimney, letters 

to send, the steam of a stew, and clothes to mend. The sounds of children and years 

that fly, Zephyr grants them all and more to the girl and boy, with nothing at all left by.   

          

     A little wind is but a gentle breeze, barely felt and never seen. It is hardly felt 

upon your skin, but do not ignore it among life's din. Wishes and dreams are light 

as air, zephyrs are too and almost always there. Perhaps one will take hold of 

something yours, fall in love like ships to shores. Take note of the tiniest breeze 

passing along, love neither can be seen, but believe it can be just as strong.

     Zephyr sweeps up a hill, bends down the grass and is suddenly still. Ahead there 

is a graveyard scene, with wildflowers growing, precious and serene. Several of our 

story's beloved will rest here, deep and covered. Zephyr stirs a bit once again, with 

wishes for peace, to finish the plan. All stories must end and so must this, no matter 

the sorrow or the bliss. 

     Past the graveyard the dying little wind blows, toward picnickers heading down

 in rows. With baskets and lunchboxes and packs, sunhats and children upon their 

backs. Zephyr searches for its young friend and her daddy, but can no longer go on, 

sadly. It watches from afar as it scarcely sways. "I love you," the zephyr calls but 

here it must stay. 

     "Wait!" calls a child we know, "I need my flowers before we go." Back up the 

hill she skips, daddy follows tries not to slip. Back to the spot, the stones jumped 

over, the flowers tossed down, resting in clover. Zephyr reaches up, brushes her 

cheek, ruffles her dress and tries to speak. It has no words, it's just a breeze, can 

not grant wishes, love or weep.

     Zephyr watches as she turns away, rests on the ground to finally lay. Then 

suddenly she glances with a thought, "Daddy, I felt a breeze," she says and again 

she turns to leave.  "Let's go to the park," the daddy says, and Zephyr's end is 

not so dark. Into each day the wind may blow, when and where we never know. 

Daisies and lupines standing still, late afternoon on a seaside hill.