Falconry ~ Teenage Arrives (Revised Edition)

A young teenager stands quietly, watching a falconer, musing…

I’ve been on this earth

thirteen years!

That's a long time.

And with my fourteenth

approaching,

then I'm becoming a man

and I feel I see as a man,

I have views and opinions!

… …

Do you mind if I join you?

Where did you come from?

I like this hill too

and this bench I like to sit on.

You like these things, I know,

and so we can share the hill,

and share this bench.

What if I say no?

I'm no walkover,

and my dad tells me

to always beware strangers …

And so you should.

Your dad advises you well.

He’s just, righteous, very patient too …

He walks righteously.

Humble too.

He is rich in wealth, sure;

but even richer in humility

and that is accounted unto him

for righteousness.

He teaches you well.

Consider, too, this other saying

"Be careful to whom you speak,

for men have entertained angels

without knowing it."

I’m not really into religion and stuff.

Nor’s my dad.

So, what are you saying?

That you're an angel?

I'm saying nothing!

I'm merely asking you to consider

different perspectives.

You have your dad’s eye for detail.

… good perspective

for your thirteen years...

Fourteen years!

It's thirteen until we get 

to your birthday.

No negotiation, right?

Okay. You're a bit forceful

aren't you?

If I have to be, yes.

Listen.

You're the apple of your dad’s eye.

He loves and adores you.

He’s also three times your lifetime.

Now consider that!

That is three

of your whole very long lifetimes,

all lived individually by him …

one after the other.

That's very long,

when you put it like that … …

You know in history

You've read about Nelson Mandela?

Read?!

That's not history!

I can even remember the day he died!

I've seen a lot!

Yes, you have.

Your father remembers him

being let out of prison.

He watched the news at home

with your grandparents.

He remembers Mr Mandela

becoming President of South Africa.

Your dad

has seen many things.

He’s toured the world,

been to places

he has not even yet told you of.

He’s fearless, but with respect for fear, too.

And fathers need to be listened to by their sons.

Because there comes a time in every son's life

when his father is no longer around.

And then, in a loving relationship between

father and son,

the memory becomes strong

so that the son never loses his father's voice.

And many times,

sometimes in a millisecond,

a son will realise that he's like his dad

... the same movements

... the same smile

... the same sense of humour

... the same serious look or demeanour.

You're making my father sound special

He is special!

And that's why we're having this chat.

But no more special or less special than

any person … Got that?

Get this, too.

Nor more, nor less, special than your Mum.

So, everything I say here about your Dad,

applies just as much as if I were

talking only about you and your Mum.

Look at those two over there …

Yes, they seem to have a bird.

Watch.

Father and son.

The son is just eight.

See his gloved hand?

See how he stands like his dad?

Now listen …

Oh wow! What a beautiful bird!

The wing span!

The boy called it!

See how the son has called him 

from the tree,

Watch the long glide,

the poise as he pulls up,

stretches out his talons

and lands gently on the gloved hand.

It's like me and dad when we jetski,

flying through the air

in leaps and bounds

through and over the waves.

That's right.

See, though, that the son is taking instruction.

He's eight.

You're almost fourteen.

In the scheme of things, there's little difference.

Yes, I can see that.

But what’s your point?

This!

Fathers and sons can be great friends.

But the relationship is never an equal one,

because the father will always be ahead

of his children.

And some times

his word is solid;

It has to be accepted;

And he doesn't always need to give

an explanation!

And if he sees his son moving 

in a direction that he knows

will harm him,

even though the son cannot yet

see that for himself,

then he must accept his father's

touching of the rudder;

his realignment of your jetski

or your snowboard!

Get the picture?

I think I'm beginning to … … … …

Good

Not everything that comes your way

is good for you.

It may seem good,

It may sound good,

It may taste good,

It may feel good,

But 'good' doesn't make it right!

Sometimes yes, of course.

Other times, definitely not.

And that's where dad and mum

are way ahead of you.

You have a wonderful life

and you have friends.

Not all friends have your

best interests at heart.

So if your dad or mum

'touch your rudder'

realign your skis,

then it's because their perspective

is wider from where they stand.

If you look at that young falconer

he appears to be standing on the edge

of the hill right?

Yes…

From our perspective, that's how it looks.

But his father standing near to him

can see the sweeping plain on the

other side of the horizon.

So when they release the falcon

and it appears to fly out of sight to us,

to them, it's within sight all of the time!

Right, I’m off.

Your Dad and Mum have

knowledge,

wisdom,

discernment,

understanding,

and a rugby-ground size of patience.

They have a massive sense of humour too,

as you well know!

Make those your pillars.

Through your learning, you increase your knowledge.

Knowledge is then weighed in the balance.

Is it good knowledge or is it something you'd rather

NOT want to have?

That's called discernment

And discernment begets or gives birth to...

WISDOM!! 

 [the figure shifts position, moving, as it were, centre stage

now standing and looking back the fixed eyes on the bench]

Bang on target!

Good.

I'll catch up with you again.

But I'll end by giving you a tip

Okay?

Yes. Okay

[ … a long pause followed by silence … ]

If your parents decide that

you’d be better moving to another

school or college,

perhaps even in a different country or state,

then it's almost certainly for your long-term good.

They're closer to the skyline than you,

so they can see the vast plains that are hidden

from where you stand.

They're building your education.

And I can tell you this for free …

They are giving you a wonderful foundation

to your whole life,

that you, in turn, will pass on one day

to YOUR children, and grandchildren.

Oh! I thought you’d gone.

I had. Then I remembered you like

building things.

I sure do. Why?

Keep the following in mind

and you won’t go far wrong.

A man or woman without self-control

is like a city whose walls have all fallen down.

[ … another long silence …]

He pondered, kicking the soil with his boot.

Ermm. I like that.

Thanks.

He looked up … oh!

He’s ruddy gone again!!

25 June 2023
All Rights Reserved

© 2023 Kenneth Thomas Webb

Written 26 November 2016

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