The Buddha — and Friends

Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle

The Buddha Enjoying Quality “Me” Time.

The Buddha wasn’t supposed to reside permanently on the barbecue counter. But hubby and I couldn’t agree on where to place him in the backyard.

While we procrastinated, the resident wildlife settled the matter.

They cozied up to the Buddha.

The squirrels curled across the top of the Buddha’s head. The cardinals and finches perched on his shoulders. The doves snuggled in the lotus on his lap.

We have red-tailed hawks nesting in our neighborhood. Sometimes, a Cooper’s hawk stops by.

The hawks began dropping in for the occasional meal at our backyard bird feeders. After agonizing over the hawk attacks, I figured I had to get strategic about my feeder placements.

I thought: A hawk swoops down with outstretched wings when catching prey. It won’t risk hitting anything that damages its wings.

The thought sparked an idea.

I placed two of the feeders right beside the Buddha.

Now, the hawks don’t visit as much.

My backyard buddies are safer.

I’m happy.

I believe the Buddha is happy too. He appears more serene with every passing day — despite the two-footed and four-footed creatures that clamber all over him. Or perhaps because of them.

I took this shot at night when I went to bring in the feeders. The Buddha looked content. As if he were enjoying some quality “me” time — before the dawn brought back his furred and feathered friends.

Thank you for reading! 🌿

Do check out these amazing writers and their latest Six Word Stories — Will Hull, Divina Grey, B.R. Shenoy, Ellie Jacobson, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Penny Grubb.

A couple of my stories:

Thank you Mary Chang Story Writer for publishing my story!