Fletcher the Kangaroo: Life and Death - Chapter Twenty Seven – Finale
Have you read the previous chapters yet?
When Fletcher arrived at his next class with Jeremiah, he saw that the other kangaroos were already there and the lesson was about to begin.
“Good,” Jeremiah said. “We’re all here now. Let’s get started.”
Fletcher sat on the hilltop beside Liza and made himself comfortable.
“In this class I’d like you all to imagine that you are my guides. Let’s pretend I am in your group, I am trying to figure out how to overcome shyness and you are working together to help me with that. In reality there would usually be one guide with a group of kangaroos, but we’re going to reverse that so you can help each other along.”
Fletcher and the others listened, ready to follow Jeremiah’s instructions.
“Let’s get straight into it, then. Imagine that in my last life I had a strict mother and a father who was often absent. Let’s also imagine that I’m the youngest of three kangaroos. In the context of this lifetime I’ve found it very difficult to stand up for myself and I’m looking for ways to improve that. What would you say or do to help me?”
Fletcher, Elvin, Adeline and Liza all looked at each other, unsure of what to say. It felt like Jeremiah had thrown them straight into this situation and they were unsure how to proceed.
“Any ideas?”
There was still no response.
“Perhaps think of an exercise you could get me to do.”
Fletcher listened with interest as Adeline spoke. “If it’s one of the first times you’ve tried working on shyness, I would proceed slowly. I would describe a scenario that’s not too difficult to get you practising different responses.”
“Wonderful,” Jeremiah said, slipping out of the role of the shy kangaroo and back into his role of class teacher. “Take it one step further by describing what that scenario could be.”
This time Elvin responded. “I would get you to practise talking to a brother or a sister rather than a parent at first. I think that would be less intimidating.”
“I like the way you’re thinking,” Jeremiah replied. “Monitor the level of difficulty. What else?”
Fletcher thought hard about what he could say. “So, we’ve got you with your brother, for example. Let’s say your brother has asked you to join in with something that you know you’re not supposed to do. Then you could practise standing up to him.”
Jeremiah nodded. “Very good. We’re getting a clear idea of the scenario, now. Let’s say that my older brother has asked me to go somewhere out of bounds with him. I know it’s wrong but I find it difficult to tell him that. I just want to hop away and avoid the situation. What would you say to me?”
“I would get you to come up with two or three sentences you could say,” Liza said. “That way, you don’t have to decide which one is the best, but you get to try a few out and see how they work.”
“Terrific. Keep going, Liza. What ideas do you have?”
Liza paused as she thought about what to say. “You could say something like, ‘No, we’re not allowed to. I’m staying here.’”
“And I would tell you that I’m simply too scared to say that to him.”
Fletcher watched Liza’s face. She looked at Jeremiah with compassion and understanding. “That’s why we’re practising. Come on, just try. I’ll be your brother. ‘Come with me, Jeremiah. Let’s go up the hill.’”
This time Jeremiah said, “But we’re not allowed up there.”
“That’s better,” Liza said. “But I’m pretty sure your brother would then say something like, ‘Don’t be a chicken. Come with me. No-one will find out.’”
She waited to see how Jeremiah would respond this time.
“I…. I’m not going. I’m staying here.”
“That’s a great start,” Liza said with a smile. “We’ll keep working on it but great effort.”
Jeremiah hopped back a bit. “OK, let’s stop there. You all made a contribution to the discussion but well done, particularly to Liza. Did anyone notice how the situation was broken down into smaller parts?”
The four kangaroos nodded.
“Yes,” Fletcher said. “We started with you talking to your brother rather than one of your parents. That was to make it a bit easier.”
“Correct,” Jeremiah replied. “What else? How else was it broken down?”
“By accepting that you’re not going to get it one hundred percent right first time,” Elvin said. “Your response, perhaps, wasn’t perfect but Liza still praised you for it and said you could build on it later.”
“That’s right,” Jeremiah said excitedly. “You don’t have to get it right straight away. In fact, it’s not realistic to get it perfect at first. Be patient with your kangaroos and let them take small steps. If those steps seem to be leading in the direction you want them to go, then praise them and encourage them. If not, make some small adjustments and let them try again. Liza, I was impressed that you didn’t push me too hard. You let me come up with my own ideas and indicated that we would tweak them in the future.”
Jeremiah looked around, trying to discern whether everyone understood what he had just said. “Let’s summarise what we have covered. Adeline, you go first. What would you like to say?”
“Just do little bits at a time.”
“Very good. Elvin? Any ideas from you?”
“Be patient and always offer encouragement.”
“Excellent. That’s so important as a guide. Liza, what can you add?”
“If the scenario is too difficult for them, find a way to make it easier. Keep it relevant but lower the level of difficulty.”
“Great. And Fletcher?”
“I guess, make sure that the situation is related to what you want them to learn.”
“Yes, that’s important too. Very good, everyone. Between now and our next class, notice what goes on around you. When we next meet, I want you to bring back to the group a situation that you have seen someone working on, and describe some ways in which you could break it down into simpler tasks.”
“Can it be something that we’re working on ourselves?” Fletcher asked.
“It’s best if it’s someone else,” Jeremiah answered, “because then you can observe it from an outside point of view. And that’s what you will be doing as a guide.”
“OK, thanks.”
“Another thing I want you to do,” Jeremiah said. He grinned as he spoke. “I’m giving you lots of homework today. I would like you to find a kangaroo in your group that you can practise being a guide to. Of course, you will need to talk to them about it and your teacher as well. The idea behind this is that you get some ongoing practice of guiding another kangaroo. Each time we meet I will give you exercises to do with your kangaroo of choice and this will build up your skill level. Give this some thought and try to make the arrangements before we next meet.”
***
As Fletcher floated through the coloured light back towards his pod, he thought about what Jeremiah had asked him to do. There was a lot to remember. First, he needed to watch a kangaroo working on a task and think about… what was it? That’s right—think about breaking it down. He could do that. He would keep his eyes open and see what he could see. Maybe Silkie, or Bonnie…. anyone really.
And the other bit of homework that Jeremiah had assigned to them was to actually be a guide to another kangaroo in the group. Who would he choose and how was he supposed to be their guide? Ariana was the guide so this would create quite a change in dynamic. Fletcher felt unsure about how it would work out.
Arriving back, he hopped easily through the wall of the pod and down to the water’s edge. He found Silkie talking to Laura. He sat beside them and listened in. They were having quite an in-depth discussion about Laura’s last lifetime.
“I had everything going for me,” she said. “I had a great relationship with my parents and I was really close to my younger brother. I had helped raise him, after all. I’d even met Ivan by then and we had started to make plans about having a family of our own. But when my dad died, everything changed. It felt like I had been living my life in full colour, then when he died, all the colour drained away and I was living in black and white. I lost my enthusiasm. I lost my spark. Ivan and I stayed together but it wasn’t the joyous relationship that it was once going to be.”
“So, you want to improve your response to that,” Silkie said.
“I do. I really do. That’s what I’m trying to work out. For a while there, I cut everyone off. I wouldn’t let my family help me. I think that was perhaps the biggest mistake I made. If I had allowed myself to be comforted, that would have softened the experience of my grief. We were all grieving—I get that now—but I think I forgot it at the time. So yes, next time, in a similar situation, I want to keep my loved ones close to me when I’m going through hard times.”
“That’s good,” Silkie said.
“Thanks. It helps to just think out loud. With you listening, I can throw ideas around and see what works and what doesn’t.”
Fletcher wondered whether this might be a situation where he could make a start on the homework that Jeremiah had assigned. “Can I add something?” he asked.
“Of course,” Laura said. “Any input is much appreciated.”
“Well, I’ve just come back from my class and we were talking about how it’s important to just make small changes.”
“Yes, so what do you suggest?”
“You said that you wanted to remain close to your family during times of grief. What if you focused on one family member at a time? Would that make the task simpler?” Fletcher wasn’t sure within himself whether this would really help, but he was trying to put into practice what Jeremiah had said.
“Do you mean that I should try to remain close to my brother, for example?”
“I just wondered if that would make it easier. You know, less overwhelming.”
“I could, I suppose. But I think if I managed to get myself into the frame of mind where I was letting loved ones stay close, it probably wouldn’t make that much difference. I’ll think about it though. Thanks, Fletch.”
Fletcher felt quite confused. He didn’t know whether he had helped Laura or made the whole situation more complicated for her. This homework task wasn’t as easy as he had thought it would be.
“I’ll be going now,” Laura said. “Thank you both for your help. I’ve got plenty to work on and I’ll keep making little changes until it feels right.”
“No worries,” Silkie called.
Fletcher waved goodbye.
“I think I really messed that up,” he said to Silkie after Laura had departed.
“Messed what up? The advice you gave Laura?”
“Yes, that. I don’t think it helped at all.”
“That’s up to her to decide. Don’t worry, Fletch. She’ll take your ideas on board and work through them. If they don’t work for her, she won’t use them. You were trying to help and that’s always a good thing.”
“I suppose so. I’ve got a lot to learn about being a guide. Ariana makes it look so easy.”
“Of course she does,” Silkie smiled. “She’s fully trained and very experienced. You’ll get there, Fletch. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve only had a couple of lessons.”
“There’s another thing we have to do too,” Fletcher explained. “We have to practise being a guide to someone in our group. I don’t know yet exactly how it’s going to work so I’m hoping Ariana will help me get some ideas. Do you think I could be your guide, Silkie?”
“Wow,” Silkie said. “That sounds like a wonderful opportunity. I would have both you and Ariana guiding me and helping me along. I’d love it but I don’t think it would work.”
“Oh,” Fletcher said in a disappointed tone.
“Only because I’m going back to earth soon. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love you to be my trainee-guide, but I’m not going to be around for much longer.”
“Yeah, of course,” Fletcher said. “I’ll have to find someone else.”
“Look,” Silkie said, wanting to boost Fletcher’s mood. “There’s Ariana. She’ll know what to do. Let’s ask her.”
***
“Ariana!” Silkie called. “Can we talk to you?”
“Of course you can,” Ariana said warmly. “What would you like to talk about?”
“Fletcher has a question for you. Go on Fletch, ask her.”
“OK. I had another class with Jeremiah and he gave us some tasks to complete. One of them is that we need to practise being a guide to someone in our group. We have to watch them, I suppose, and help them with things they’re working on.”
“Ah yes,” Ariana smiled. “That’s an important step. Do you have any ideas regarding what you would like to do?”
“I asked Silkie if I could guide her for the sake of this task but she’s about to go back to earth. So, I wanted to ask you if you could help me choose someone else.”
“I see. Perhaps Daniel would benefit from some extra help right now. He is trying to stand up for himself more in confrontational situations, but give me a moment, let me think.”
Fletcher and Silkie waited for Ariana to speak again.
“I have an idea but it’s a little unorthodox. It may not work but I would like to discuss the possibility with Jeremiah all the same. Leave it with me and I’ll get back to you.”
Ariana immediately hopped away and exited the pod. Fletcher looked at Silkie, shrugged, and they both hopped towards the water’s edge.
“Do you have any idea what she meant?” Fletcher asked.
“Not a clue. But you know Ariana. It will be something worthwhile. Just wait and see.”
“Yes, you’re right. I feel a bit out of my depth, Silkie. Becoming a guide is a big thing. Part of me is excited about it but there’s also a part of me that knows it’s going to be challenging.”
Silkie grinned. “And when have you ever shied away from a challenge? That’s what makes things interesting, isn’t it? There’s nothing more rewarding than working on something tough, something that you can really sink your teeth into, and finding a way through it. You’ll be fine, Fletch. I know you will.”
“Thanks Silkie. I’m going to miss you when you’re not here. You always know just what to say to help me.”
“You know how it works, Fletch. When one of us goes to earth, it never really seems that long before we’re back again. When we’re down there a lifetime feels like forever, but when we’re here, the time passes really quickly.”
“Yes, you’re right. Again.”
Fletcher tucked his legs beside him as he sat down and looked out over the water. He closed his eyes and tuned in to Silkie so that he could read her thoughts and feelings. He was immediately filled with a sense of excitement that buzzed through him like electricity. His own feelings of lack were washed away as he enjoyed her feelings of eagerness and enthusiasm.
Opening his eyes again he said, “You’re really excited, aren’t you?”
Silkie grinned. “I certainly am. I’ve been giving it some thought and I’ve decided that I want to live somewhere with a water view. Maybe near the ocean or a big lake.”
“That sounds nice. I loved listening to the birds. The sound of magpies early in the morning was a real treat for me.”
“And kookaburras,” Silkie laughed. “I can’t wait to hear them again.”
“You’ll get to breathe in the fresh air and feel the sun on your back.”
“And eat gum leaves!” Silkie said excitedly.
“Yes,” Fletcher smiled. “And you’ll be able to hop. Really fast.”
“Exactly. I know we hop here but it’s just not the same. Hopping on earth makes you breathe faster, makes your heart pound and makes you feel so…. alive!”
“That’s right. You’ll have all those experiences and more.” Fletcher heard something behind him and turned to see what it was. “Look,” he said. “Here comes Ariana. She’s back already. I wonder if she’s spoken to Jeremiah.”
“We’re about to find out,” Silkie said, “because she’s coming straight towards us.”
Fletcher stood up. “Hi Ariana. You’re back.”
“I am indeed.”
Fletcher felt a little bubble of excitement stir in his belly but he refrained from speaking, waiting instead to let Ariana continue.
“I’ve been talking to Jeremiah and I have a proposition for you.”
“OK,” Fletcher said. He was curious to hear what Ariana would say.
“As I hinted to you before, this idea that I had is a little unusual but I think it could work very well for you. I was wondering, Fletcher, if you would like to be Silkie’s guide while she’s living on earth.”
Fletcher tried to make sense of what was being said. “Do you mean…. like…. I draw a window on the surface of the water and talk to Silkie through that?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. You would go to earth, with Silkie, and remain by her side throughout her life.”
“What? How?” Fletcher still didn’t understand.
“Silkie won’t be fully aware of your presence but you would be there with her from the moment she is born until she returns her to us.” Turning to face Silkie, Ariana continued. “I will still guide you from here, but Fletcher will be on earth with you, right by your side. We will both guide you, just in different ways. This can only happen with your permission, of course, but I think the arrangement will benefit both of you.”
Fletcher and Silkie faced each other. Silkie smiled and Fletcher raised his eyebrows. “Shall we?” he whispered. “Shall we do this?”
“Yes let’s!” Silkie giggled. “Just think, Fletch, I get to have you with me throughout my whole life! If you see that I’m about to make a mistake or muck something up, you can drop hints to try to get me to change my mind.” She turned to face Ariana. “Is that what you mean? Is that how he would guide me?”
“Basically, yes. You won’t be able to see or hear him but he can work closely with you, helping you through the challenges that you will face.”
Silkie looked at Fletcher once more. “What do you think, Fletch? Do you want to be my guide?”
Fletcher paused. He had a feeling deep inside that this could work. After all, if it was Ariana’s idea and Jeremiah had given it his approval, it must be a pretty good plan. “I’d love to,” he said. “Yes Silkie, I’d love to guide you through your upcoming lifetime.”
Silkie clapped her paws together and Ariana beamed a smile from one side of her face to the other.
“This will be wonderful for you both. Fletcher, you will learn so much about becoming a guide. And Silkie, you will progress quickly too. We’ll need to choose your challenges carefully but I am confident that you can take on more than what I originally had in mind for you. I will leave you now as I can feel that Bonnie requires my help. See you both soon.”
Ariana reached out and hugged both Fletcher and Silkie warmly before she hopped away.
Fletcher looked out over the water once more. He felt Silkie lean in against him and lay her head on his shoulder as they both found a comfortable sitting position.
“We’re going to earth together, Fletch. I don’t know if anyone has done that before.”
“Me either. Definitely no-one in our group, anyway. It’s going to be the best. I’ll help you in every way I can, Silkie. I promise you that.”
