"You're lucky," I remember years ago crouching down and telling the Kawasemi bird in the brush at the edge of the pond; "my camera's run out of battery today, so you're getting off scott free. Otherwise, I would've gotten a picture of you here for sure."
But the next day, when I went to the park, I heard a whistle, and when I turned, the bird posed for me on a branch, his form fully exposed, as if to say, "There. Get your shot. Now we're even." And after I'd clicked my shutter, he flew away.
Yesterday when I went to the park, I bumped into the Buddhist friend I mentioned last week. God brought a myriad of critters before our eyes this time--dragonflies from one end of the spectrum to the other; tiny hatchlings to giant turtles; catfish sporting long whiskers--Takako ended up using up her battery photographing them.
"Your father gave ME another chance when that happened to me years ago;" I spoke into the air; "Will you do that for my friend?" I wonder if he will. I make a trip down to Tokyo today but might see Takako at the park again Friday. I wonder what she'll tell me.
