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Water Lilly

I am cowering in the pond hiding under the pads. They are in the same lackluster state as always. The pads are the dullest vegetation I have ever seen; it is missing a piece something to complete it. It is like a berry without the sweet nectar inside. If there is no other piece there is nothing to enjoy. My secluded pond begins to vibrate as a row boat goes past. I swim hastily under the boat much like the fish.

Though many of my ancestors frown upon me living in a pond I find it quite enjoyable at times. For I like numerous cousins of mine help the humans. I am the one that entices the fish on their hooks, who often as I can untangles the caught lines, and who keeps the many humans that have fallen in from drowning. The true reason for me in to be in this pond is yet to be discovered.

As usual I swim under the low bridge that separates the two halves of the pond. Looking up at the human that gazes down at the water, I see the singularly striking face. The soft circular cheeks, high cheek bones, and clearly green gaze. She stares right at me, I stare at her. Yet we can't be for she is unable to see me even in the clear water. 'What is she staring at?' She speaks normally since she is the only one on the bridge.

"You are a beauty. Truly gorgeous, nothing can be prettier than you."

"Yes, you are," I agree underwater staring up at her. I am enthralled by her attractiveness.

"Till tomorrow my sweetheart," she says this in a very loving manner. That makes me yearn to come and appear in front of her. She leaves slowly. I make a loud splash with my brown hand to get her to turn around so I may see her beauty. The stunning human woman turns, to see nothing. I am going to show myself to her someday, I vow. The thing called love has caught up with me.

As I lay myself down to sleep on the edge of the pond as I recall the face. The crickets reach far beyond the cool quiet night, calling for love. The fish have slowed down for the night. She could have been speaking to me, if I dare show myself. My mind wanders of all the possible scenarios that could grace my love. As I fall into sleep.

I wake up to find that I have dozed into the afternoon. Much to my luck it seems the reeds have covered me well enough. The ability of invisibility only sticks to me in the water. When I get out of the water, I am visible to all. It is not the only gift I am blessed to have acquired. I can change shape and change other objects shapes, permanently. I haven't done it before, but I am sure I could harness the power. I jump into the water, it would sound like a large fish to anyone that heard, and bring the occasional fisherman to check it out.

I swim around the pond searching for her, neglecting my duties as a benefactor for the fishermen. Later, in the afternoon I see her. She is in a boat this time, probably the daughter of a fisherman. By the looks of it she is looking at the fish. I quickly catch up with her little row boat. Her head is bent over the edge of the boat. Her long locks fall down beautifully over her shoulders. I get under where she is looking. Once again it is evident she is talking to herself.

"Oh, Lillian your beauty is unbound. You are the most striking young lady in Great Britain. Oh, yes. It is undeniable."

"It is so true my dear you are, Lillian. If only you could see me. My love for you is endless, for you have stricken me with love at first sight." I say as I stare into her eyes.

Suddenly she moves to get on her knees, unaware of the consequences. The boat tips over, there is the loud splash as her body hits the water head first. I move away to see if she is able to swim. The flailing limbs tell different. So I get under her like I had seen many human fathers do with their little ones to keep them afloat and teach them to swim. I firmly plant my feet in the bottom of the soft mud pond. She is luckily light she is still flailing, but she is calmer now. She imitates a swimmer. When I get closer to the edge of the pond I drop her, for if I was to get out of the water the consequences would not justify it.

I watch as she crawls out of the water. Slowly, her dress is in ruin and it weighs her down. Lillian as she is named drops down looking towards the trees, probably trying to figure out the way to her home. I go back to get her boat and rows. I flip it back on its right side and place the rows inside. Then I slowly propel the boat towards her part of the pond. She looks up just as I get the boat ashore. Once again she is talking to herself. I am finding it quiet odd now I have never encountered a human such as her before.

"Good thing I know how to swim," She wipes her backhand on her forehead.

"I am so lucky the boat liked me enough to come to me. Maybe it's because I am so beautiful. That is what always seems to attract all those men, must work on other things, too. I best tell father where the boat is. Till 'morrow, my Beauty"

She decidedly went to the right heading back to the small dock. I am just so glad that I helped her. I was touching her, almost holding her. I swim around the pond my joy is uncontainable. I go in so many resolutions, so many I can't count. I have to show myself to her! I don't sleep all night I am too busy trying to figure out how I will do it.

I watch the sunrise, the birds call differently as if they knew something big is going to happen. It came up slowly with no hurry. I am out of water; I examine my hands while I burn my lax time. They are brown and green marbled together. They are smooth and soft like reeds. My arms are in proportion of a humans arm, but my muscles clearly lither. My whole body from what I can tell in green and brown mixed. My fingers are webbed. I begin to become bored looking at myself so I climb a tree to look for her. There is no sign of her until that afternoon.

No fishermen are around today, because it is what humans call Sunday. Yet I knew even she would come. She loves the pond. Today I see her back on the bridge. She is looking over the bridge at the pond. For the first time in a long time I walk up to the bridge. I hear her doing what she usually does.

"I am the most strikingly beautiful girl in the world." She says this softly, batting her lashes in a self absorbed way.

"An so you are, Lillian," I say to her in my deep voice.

She looks up slowly; fear is clearly evident in her eyes. She looks unapproachable, but she remains there.

"What are you?" She asks.

"What do you see Lillian?"

The poor girl named Lillian asked this question to herself as soon as she saw him. What do I see? Well, this creature has a very human face and body. He clearly a guy, but the thing that made her fear is the fact that he is green and brown. He raises up his hand and his webbed hands are visible. He is just too ugly for her to look at. Lilly covers up her eyes.

"I see a monster something that is sad to look at that is not beautiful." She finally answers.

"Lillian, I love you. Must you know what I see when I look at you? I see a lovely woman who I am in love with."

"I see a monster! You must leave me be. I am not in love with you nor will I ever be. For you are the ugliest creature I have ever seen!" She spat.

"I see where this is going. It is all about the beauty of things, Lillian. Who saved you from drowning? It wasn't you I assure you. Who brought your boat to shore? I did. Don't you dare say it was your beauty that brought it to you, Lilly!"

"You will never be as beautiful as me on the outside!" Lilly screams back full of vain pride.

"On the outside on the inside I am more human than you are. You will pay for your vanities!"

A beautiful April morning graces the pond in warmth. Upon the bridge there is an older gentleman gazing at the pond. He looks upon the flower upon one of the pond pad. He has never seen it before. He hears the sound of someone begin to walk unto the bridge.

"Excuse me, sir? You wouldn't happen to know what this beautiful flower is called would you?" He asks.

"Good morning sir. As it would happen I do, it is called a Water Lilly. I believe it is named after a fisherman's daughter. Have a wonderful afternoon," He tips his hat to reveal his green head.

"Before you go sir, I would like to know what your name is," Requests the humble old man.

"Mr. Osier," He says as he walks off toward the other side of the bridge.