2001 School Magazine

^ e : original works

Defying Freedom Chirping unhappily in its cage, the bird looks cold and bedraggled. The rusty iron bars of its tiny cage seem too feeble a barrier to prevent the dove from escaping, yet somehow its gaol holds together. Dirty feathers float in the stale water and the other container holds only husks and dust. A scratched writing desk occupies the space next to the cage and a haggard woman sits writing in her diary. Pouring her dreams and goals onto the blank page, Alethea suddenly looks up at her husband's dove. It seems to understand exaaly what she is thinking, to sympathize She looks at her clock and jumps up in fright. Boris will be home soon, having spent his pay cheque on drink. He mustnt catch her writing, mustn't read of her pathetic dreams, mustn't know he doesn't feature in them. He'll beat her again, like the time she came home late from work because she'd stopped for coffee with her colleagues. Never again;they avoid her now. Alethea convinces herself that's good; then she can't defy him again. She is lonely though - no, that is wrong How could she be when she has 80ris? No wonder he has to chastise her sometimes, when she thinks things like that The slam of the door returns her to the tiny dark room. Alethea rushes to greet Boris, her guilt making excuses for his stumbling gait and rancid breath. He's allowed to enjoy himself sometimes too, isn't he? No matter that Alethea has to budget carefully for another fortnight, has to shop in all the cheap, grubby stores. That's why she has ajob, isn't it? That night Alethea lies curled up on the edge of the bed nursing her bruises. He didn't really mean it, did he? it was the drink that did it to him. He is so lovable, always sorry and asking for forgiveness, and she could never deny it to him Not till next time, anyway He is worse this month, not only drinking when he receives his me asly pay cheque but in between as well. Alethea wonders where he gets the money from but decides it isn't her business. Miserably she withdraws into her nearly full journal, and starts to spend more time with the sweet little dove near her desk. It really does commiserate with her;it is in its own private gaol too. Trapped like her, Alethea likes to think Six months later and Alethea 15 stillwith Boris, making excuses for him, suffering at his hands. it 15 a Saturday and 80risis still sleeping off the alcohol, slumbering as if in a coma. Alethea has waited for her home to be peaceful for a week now, excited at the daring plan she has hatched Opening the creaky birdcage she beckons to the dove, wants to reward it forts patience and comforting presence "Fly away, little one, be free, " Alethea croons softly. With a tear in her eye, she watches her guardian angel soar awa from her, leaving her behind, still in her cage. Nobody has released her, she realizes. What had she expected? The next morning she wanders toward the cage, already missing her little friend. Maybe she had been too hasty in releasing it. But no, freedom was more important. She had to think about what's best for it, not her. She was being selfish again She enters the study to hear the chirping of a little bird but thinks her wistful mind is playing tricks on her. Stepping closer she 's forced to admit that the pure white feathers of the dove are real and not a delusion. Cowering in a come, the dove has returned to the relative safety of its forsaken cage, preferring its dirt to the chance of the outside world. Even though its cage is not a palace by any standards, 't is better than the imagined dangers out there, in the great beyond By the end of that week, Alethea believes the dove is God's messengeL come to show her what her fate will be with Boris it she doesn't leave soon she will be too frightened of the external world to abandon him. Boris has already cut her off from her colleagues and fom'Iy;soon she will be too insecure to leave the house w'thout him. The dove has shown hen she has Soon Alethea has convinced herself the dove returned for her. With its help she can leave, must leave Not much longer, then it's time for The Great Escape. 80ris mustn't realise, but Alethea is finding it hard to contain her exc'ternent. She knows she is being disobedient, for in marriage one is meant to 'love, honour and obey: yet God himself has given her the signal so it must be okay. She is saving her money, saving every cent she has, for it all adds up Alethea knows how to budget;she's had long enough to learn Five a. in. and the milkman is on his rounds. He sees a drab, middle-aged woman wearing old but well-cared for clothes She is excitedly shuffling along the path, carrying a worn suitcase and staggering with the weight of a large iron birdcage The dove inside does not seem to be disturbed by its sudden removal but rather is plump and content "Excuse me, Ma'am, but I was wondering if you need some help with your bag?" Aletheajumps nervously but smiles timidl back at the milkman. She accepts his offer but keeps tightly clutching at the birdcage. Hailing a taxi together, the milkman helps the woman in. Wishing her good luck, he continues on his rounds MelonieJones I O England Story section of the winning JuniorChor!orte djoncourtFdklore Competition 2000 entry The topic was *howhowo dove changes someone31ifo, to eave

AnnoJocobson 8Mockoy