Fletcher the Kangaroo: Life and Death - Chapter Twenty Six
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“Welcome everyone, but a special welcome to Liza who is joining us for the first time.” Fletcher listened as Jeremiah spoke and looked curiously at the new kangaroo. She had big brown eyes and a youthful-looking face. “I’m sure your guide Seymour has told you a bit about us but we’d like to get to know you. Would you like to introduce yourself?”
“OK,” Liza replied shyly. “I’m Liza, I’ve been to earth fifteen times altogether and my group is getting towards the end of our studies on ego.”
Fletcher wasn’t sure exactly what Liza meant by ego but fortunately she went on to explain.
“We’ve been looking at situations where we might fall into the trap of being conceited and we’ve been working hard to find ways to be humble instead. I’ve always wanted to be a guide, so that’s why I’m here.”
Jeremiah stood up and thanked her. “You’ll get to know everyone quickly enough. We have Fletcher, Adeline and Elvin.” The kangaroos nodded to Liza.
“We have all come from different backgrounds and that diversity enriches the quality of our class. Fletcher, you’re working on grief, aren’t you?”
Fletcher nodded.
“Elvin, you’re currently studying fear?”
“That’s right,” Elvin replied.
“And Adeline, I believe you’ve just started looking at abandonment.”
“We have.”
“That means, between us, we have a wonderful mixture of skills and abilities. Your individual progress will be accelerated if you are willing to learn from each other. And of course, that will contribute to your skill level as you work towards learning to become a guide. So, please welcome any opportunities that arise. Be willing to teach each other and learn from each other. There is no syllabus for what we cover in this class—the content is self-directed. You will determine what you learn and you will choose how you learn it. My job is simply to steer you, guide you and help you reach your full potential.
“Let’s begin then with a small exercise. I’d like you to form pairs—Adeline with Liza and Fletcher with Elvin. In your pairs, one kangaroo is working on a role play and the other is the guide. I want whoever is playing the guide to contemplate what you might say to the kangaroo who is learning. Think of what words you would use, the tone of voice you would adopt and even the body language that seems appropriate. When everyone has had a go at being the guide, we will regroup and discuss what you found.”
Fletcher and Elvin hopped down the hill a little way until they found a flat, grassy patch they could sit on.
“Do you want to be the guide first?” Elvin asked.
“Sure,” Fletcher replied. “What do you want to work on?”
“As Jeremiah said, my group is looking at fear at the moment, so I think I’ll use a scenario that I’ve been working on recently.”
“That sounds good.”
“I’ll describe it to you. In my last couple of lifetimes I’ve been scared of, or intimidated by, kangaroos in authoritative positions. Sometimes it’s my parents who I’m afraid of, sometimes it’s the alpha of our mob. It doesn’t really matter who it is—I still get to learn the same lessons from each situation. So for now, let’s pretend I’m talking to the alpha kangaroo and he can be called Bob. Bob’s really stern and I’m a young, shy kangaroo. I’m terrified of him but I want to overcome that.”
Fletcher felt now was the time to imagine he was Elvin’s guide, so he held that role in his mind as Elvin continued to speak.
“Bob has come to visit our family. He’s talking with my parents and it’s all quite friendly. I’m worried, though. Earlier that day I was playing near the cliff-top and I know that area is out of bounds. I’m really scared that Bob knows what I’ve been up to and that I’ll get in trouble.”
“I see,” Fletcher said. “I want you to remember that you’re not in that situation right now. Instead you’re looking at it from afar. That way you don’t need to be overwhelmed by the emotions. Can you keep your distance and think of what you might be able to do?”
Elvin did his best to follow Fletcher’s instructions. “Yes, that makes it easier. I can’t think straight when I’m feeling everything full on. But if I look at the scene I can…. I could…. perhaps I could remind myself that nothing has been said about it so far.”
“Very good,” Fletcher said. “What else?”
“I’m worrying about something that might not even happen. I don’t know if Bob knows what I did, so worrying about it seems a waste of energy.”
“Good.”
“I mean, I was in the wrong, I don’t deny that. I shouldn’t have been at the cliff-top. But getting myself in a panic about it probably isn’t necessary.”
Fletcher smiled. “Very good. Anything else?”
“I suppose, I should make more of an effort not to break the rules in the first place. Then I wouldn’t have to go through all that stress.”
“That’s really good, Elvin. Does is feel OK to you?”
This time Elvin smiled. “It does. It feels terrific. I really liked your idea of taking a step back and putting a bit of distance between myself and the scene. That made it a lot easier.”
“And I think you made some good points. You came up with an idea to help yourself feel better while you were in the situation, as well as a way to try to prevent it from occurring again in the future. You did great.”
“Thanks. Now you have a go. I’ll be your guide.”
They swapped roles and returned to Jeremiah when they finished.
“Good,” Jeremiah said. “We’re all back. So, without going into too much detail, I’d like to hear how you found that exercise. See if you can describe one thing you discovered that would be valuable to the whole group.”
Adeline spoke first. “When I took on the role of being Liza’s guide I found I kept telling her to trust her instincts and believe in herself.”
“Great,” said Jeremiah. “And what about when you were the guide, Liza?”
Even though Liza had such a young-looking face, when she smiled Fletcher could see that her expression held a lot of knowledge and wisdom. She looked very calm and at peace.
“I felt it was important to encourage Adeline to keep talking. It didn’t feel right to give her the answers. I don’t know what the answers are anyway, and when I reflected on it, I think even as a guide, we don’t know the solutions to another kangaroo’s problems. So, I listened and let Adeline explore her own ideas.”
“Very good,” Jeremiah said. “Thank you both. Now, Elvin and Fletcher, can you tell us what you found?”
Fletcher spoke first. “I can relate to what Liza just said. I made a few small suggestions but it felt more important for Elvin to discover his own ideas rather than me telling him what those ideas should be.”
“Thanks. And Elvin?”
“I suggested that Fletcher act out the scene again with small changes so he could look at the issue from different points of view.”
“Great. Thank you, everyone. You have all done very well. And if I can summarise what you have said, as a guide, you’re not there to tell your kangaroos what to do. You are their guide—nothing more and nothing less. If you were to come up with all the answers, they wouldn’t feel any sense of ownership of those ideas, and to be honest, they probably wouldn’t even remember them for very long. I want you always to remember that it’s much more important to allow them to find their own solutions. Your job, or our job as a class, is to learn how to enable them to find their own answers. And that’s what this class is all about.”
“Jeremiah,” Adeline said, “I know what you’re saying but it takes me a bit by surprise. I always imagined that being a guide meant we had to teach our kangaroos what to do in different situations. But from what you’re saying, it seems we put the onus on them.”
“That’s right. That’s one way of looking at it. And every one of you came up with similar observations from the scenes you looked at in your pairs just now. Kangaroos must be allowed to forge their own pathways and uncover their own ideas. That’s what I want you to take away from this class.
“Before we meet again, please watch your own guides carefully. Notice their behaviours and the words they use. See if you can identify how they allow their students to discover their own answers. Bring this back with you when we next get together and we’ll talk about what you have witnessed. Thanks everyone. I’ll see you next time.”
***
It seemed that Fletcher wasn’t going to get much time to absorb what Jeremiah had said because as soon as he returned to his pod he found his group gathered together. He hopped in to join them and sat beside Silkie.
“Finally,” Ivan said with a grin, “Fletcher’s come to join us. Where have you been? You were late to our last meeting and now you’re late again.”
Fletcher was used to Ivan’s teasing tone and his mischievous antics, so he knew not to take his words seriously. “Better late than never,” he quipped, looking Ivan in the eye.
“OK, you two,” Ariana said. “Let’s settle ourselves. Does anyone have any questions about what we discussed last time we met?” There were no questions so Ariana launched straight into the lesson that she had prepared. “I know you have all been practising, so it is time to try something new. Can I have a volunteer who is willing to step forward?”
After a slight pause, Rachel hopped into the middle of the circle and waited in front of Ariana.
“Thanks Rachel. What I would like you to do is bring to mind a situation involving grief that you have experienced in a recent lifetime. Any will do. What one do you wish to use for this exercise?”
“The time when Daniel was my husband and he died just after I’d given birth.”
“Yes, that’s fine. Now, remember what happened and how you felt. There’s no need to go into the emotions in their full intensity, just a little will do.”
Rachel closed her eyes and Fletcher could tell from the expression on her face that she had immediately gone back into that pain.
“Good,” Ariana said. “That’s enough. Hold that space. Now, the rest of us can all see and feel what Rachel is experiencing, and I would like each of you to offer her a piece of advice that will help her through her grief. Think of something you have learnt that you think will assist her. By the time we have been around the circle, we should have lots of different ideas.”
Fletcher took a moment to really notice how Ariana was constructing the discussion. After all, he would be a guide one day and he would be leading his own group through similar exercises. True to what Jeremiah had said, she certainly wasn’t giving out any answers. Instead, she was asking the whole group to come up with ideas to help Rachel.
“Let’s start at my left. Bonnie, what would you like to say?”
“Rachel, remember how strong you are. You will get through this. Keep going and don’t give up.”
Ariana smiled. “Excellent. And Daniel. Your turn now.”
“Just take one step at a time,” Daniel said. “Take your time—there’s no hurry.”
“I like that,” Ariana said. “Now Fletcher.”
Fletcher thought about what he had learnt recently. He wanted to encourage Rachel to use her strengths. It was similar to what Bonnie had said but Fletcher felt he could add something more. “You’re really good at adapting to new situations, so see if you can use that quality to find a way to get used to the changes that lie ahead of you.”
“Good. And Silkie?”
“Lean on those close to you for support. You don’t have to do this on your own.”
“Very nice. Ivan?”
“Remember his life rather than his death. When you feel really sad, try to think of the good times you had together.”
“Excellent. And lastly, Laura.”
“Rather than fight against it, try to find a way to accept your loss.”
“Well done everybody. Thank you, Rachel. Take a moment to let those feelings go and rejoin the circle when you’re ready.”
When Rachel had returned to her position next to Ivan, Ariana continued to speak. “You all came up with some wonderful ideas. So Rachel, how did that feel to you?”
“Of course, holding the space felt difficult, but even as I went through it, having different ideas suggested helped me feel better. It gave me hope.”
Ariana nodded. “Go on. Can you explain that more fully?”
“In that lifetime, my response to Daniel’s death consisted mostly of anger. I felt cheated. We still had our whole lives ahead of us and yet he was taken away. To be reminded of my strengths and to be encouraged to lean on those close to me would undoubtedly help me to lift myself out of that dark place, so yes, the ideas that you all put forward were very helpful.”
“Excellent,” Ariana said. “And as we discuss these ideas, they become imprinted on the fabric that makes you who you are. The more we talk and the more you practise, the more easily you will be able to remember them when you are on earth in the future. You won’t remember them in a direct sense but they will be there, deep inside of you. And if you are present, if you are aware, you will be able to access them.
“Silkie, you are returning to earth soon. Of course, we haven’t figured out your life plan yet, but take on board what you are learning and it will help.”
“Thanks,” Silkie said. “I’ll do my best.”
***
“I’m going to my place for a while,” Silkie said. Would you like to come with me, Fletch?”
“I would. You lead the way.”
When they arrived, Fletcher followed Silkie into the middle of a grassy field full of daffodils. They sat down and warmed themselves in the sun.
“It’s nice having a bit of time together,” Fletcher said. “Just you and me.”
“It is,” Silkie replied. “Especially seeing as I’ll be going to earth soon.”
“How are you feeling about that?”
“I’m excited, of course. But most of all I want to make sure that I’m fully prepared. Even the things that we just talked about in the group—I want to remember them all. Little tips to help me through hard times.”
“I know what you mean. There’s a lot to remember, isn’t there?”
“There is, and I don’t want to forget any of it. I want to take it with me. I wish there was some way I could be reminded. It would be good if I could take you with me Fletch, so you could drop little hints when I need them.”
They both laughed, knowing that this wasn’t the way things worked. “I’ll be thinking of you from here,” Fletcher assured her. “I’ll send you lots of love and help, especially through the difficult times. Just trust yourself, Silkie. You have the knowledge—I know you have because I’ve seen all the work you’ve put in. Trust that it will be there for you.”
“Thanks Fletch. I think that’s exactly what I needed to hear. How’s your class been lately?”
“Good. We’re moving pretty quickly. A new kangaroo named Liza joined us and we’ve covered a lot already.”
“Do you like it?”
“Oh yes, I love it. Jeremiah is a great teacher. I already feel like he knows me really well. He pushes us, though. I think that’s his way of getting the best out of us. What about your class? How’s it going?”
“It’s something quite special. Oliver’s funny—he has a really serious look about him but as soon as he opens his mouth you can tell that he’s very warm and welcoming. His knowledge is amazing. He has healed kangaroos from all sorts of injuries. It doesn’t matter whether they had physical issues or emotional ones, he knew exactly how to treat them.”
“I think we’re both lucky to find such good teachers. Although, I guess the credit should go to Ariana because she led us to them.”
Silkie smiled. “I agree. I’m getting to know the other kangaroos really well—even a couple of new ones who’ve been there for less time than me. We’re all becoming really close. And of course, group healing is stronger than individual healing, so we intend to work together.”
“Mmm,” Fletcher murmured. “We’ve got all these good things going on but sometimes my favourite thing to do is just to sit still and rest, like we are right now.”
“Are you warm enough, Fletch? Do you want me to up the temperature a bit?”
Since they were in Silkie’s place, she was able to change the conditions as she wished.
“Why not?” Fletcher replied. “Not too much though. Just a little.”
He lowered his head onto his paws and basked in the warm air. He was gazing at a daffodil just in front of his nose when he noticed a butterfly flutter past him. He looked up and saw another, and then another.
“What are you doing, Silkie?”
She laughed. “Making butterflies. Shall I make some more?”
Without words, Fletcher watched the little specks of colour circle in the air above him.
“Here we go. Pink? Yellow? Purple?” Each time Silkie flicked her paw in the air, she created another butterfly. “Look, they’re flying away. A couple more. Here’s a black and white one and a Ulysses blue.”
Fletcher watched. Once the butterflies had flown away, he lowered his head and closed his eyes. He could feel Silkie leaning against him as she lay on the grass by his side. He closed his eyes and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
