The Job of a Shadow
On a Wednesday, Tom’s shadow called out sick. You see, it had been a dry and clear November, so Tom's shadow hadn't any time to rest.
Work can be tough for a shadow. In the long and bright days, while humans are trudging through their daily lives, their shadows spin, stretch, and glide over the surfaces of the world. That means shadows have to be quite limber and responsive, like gymnasts—or better yet, dance partners.
The job of a shadow is very important, and not just for keeping up appearances. For one thing, shadows do a lot to keep their humans from falling into things. Without your shadow on a sunny day, you'd fall right into the ground and get stuck there. But because it likes you very much, your shadow places itself between you and the ground, and chairs, and many other things, to save you the embarrassment of getting stuck.
For another, shadows help humans see shape and depths. Can you imagine a world without shadows? It would be bright, and flat, and very boring. But thanks to shadows, our world is full of layers, soft lines, and wonderful draping streaks of gray.
In most ways, shadows keep very similar hours to their humans. They are awake when their humans are awake, and they rest when their humans rest. They get their breaks on the gray days, the rainy days, and the moments when the clouds slide in front of the sun.
Shadows often use their free time for a hot chocolate, a little nap, or a quick chuckle with their shadow friends.
Have you have felt as if the world contracts in the absence of light? That's the feeling of tempering, when the world's surfaces cool and set. In those moments, the hair on the back of your neck may stand. That's your shadow. You see, shadows tickle necks to tell humans they're safe.
Do not be afraid, shadows say in the darkest moments, you will not get stuck. We are off to have a hot chocolate, and will be right back—the instant you need us.
So if you haven't already, maybe you should thank your shadow today.
But, if you recall, Tom's shadow called out sick. It was on a Wednesday, in the middle of a dry and clear November.
And just as Tom was about to step outside of his house, unaware of his imminent plummet into the earth, he realized he forgot his umbrella. So he reached into his closet and grabbed it.
When Tom opened his umbrella outside, he felt a slight tickle on his neck. He tightened his scarf, took a deep breath, then walked into the dark and rainy morning.
Tom's shadow walked back into the house, and coughed, and lay in bed for a nap. He whispered a thank you to his friends, the rain clouds (who covered for him), and then he fell asleep.
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