Gemotions

The package was small, innocuous-looking, placed at the base of the stairs, and he ignored it. It sat there for days. He kept meaning to take it to the landlord, but the thought always evaporated as soon as it occurred. He found himself avoiding the stairs.

The corners of his mouth turned down. It was always something. His own life, filled with its own struggles and frustrations, seemed insignificant compared to the effortless way others lived. He felt this as he looked at the package.

Finally, three days later, he ripped open the cardboard. A single, intricately carved wooden bird sat nestled in the packing peanuts. He threw the bird in the bin, and continued on. The bird seemed to represent the unattainable ease of others.