Hi, my name is N'nako Kande. I am doing something a little fun and silly today by sharing an amusing story I wrote shortly after having my "Nature Fix."
I am borrowing the term "nature fix" from the title of a book I am greatly enjoying reading at the moment.
The book and its author dig into my passion for nature and its health benefits. While providing data to things I attest to intuitively and by personal experience (see my award-winning book, The Art of Rooting)
Please consider this story a writing prompt and a first draft. I haven't had time to revise it, and it's more of a storytelling exercise.
If you enjoy this short story, maybe your feedback will inspire me to publish it as a fun little storybook.
So here's our short, and silly story, a writing prompt inspired by my super short, slightly uncomfortable but enriching afternoon "escapade" ( whispering, "I cannot say that I went on a short hike!")
Let me know how you are enjoying this story.
Disclaimer: This story is meant to be humorous, and I do not condone any patient disobeying their doctor's order. It only reflects my experience with some humor.
"The Foot with a Special Boot That Could not Stay Away from the Water." by N'nako Kande'
There was a foot that needed a special boot.
Initially, the boot was black, plain, and boring
and the foot wouldn't have it.
It needed something cool to wear.
Something it would find less embarrassing to camouflage its limping.
The foot wanted something it would enjoy while walking...
So the foot insisted that the boot gets a makeover.
It wanted the boot embellished with some art and some paint,
The foot felt that some symbols and lettering
would make the boot more interesting.
With the new art on the boot and words that felt both amusing and motivating,
"On avance! Oui! Oui!" thee foot somehow felt better, but there was still one thing missing
something that would make the foot happier.
Left with a dilemma, the foot started to scheme and plot a little escapade.
Thinking of shortcuts and timeframes, the foot started plotting, and planning.
To be honest, the foot was not supposed to do too much walking.
But the foot could no stand being still too long,
It felt too depressing and frustrating
and indeed, thought the foot,
"frustration and depression
are not healthy!"
Something was missing and for our foot that was the only thing that would be comforting.
So the foot, a little stubborn, you may think, was determined to go to the water.
A trip to a creek was the only thing that could make it feel better.
It saw the sign spelling " hiking trails,"
without an ounce of guilt, the foot, secured in its boots, entered the woods
passed the tall trees, smiled and the birds and carefully marched to the water...
a path it knew very well.
After all, limping is not running or hiking.
The foot knew its boot would make it walk slower
but there was no denying that the boot also made it stronger
and that caused the foot to feel more assured and prouder.
The foot did not mind going slow, slow wasn't a bad pace, it would simply enjoy some
" Shinrin-yoku", some forest bathing.
Dragging a folding chair that would even serve as a cane and a backpack full of books to keep it company,
off went our foot for the shimmering and bubbly water.
Taking it easy didn't mean being sedentary
"Au Pas!"
"On y va!"
As it got closer,
the foot got more eager!
All the foot wanted was to splash in the water.
A simple pleasure that would make its day brighter.
The foot couldn't wait to be in its unique spot a place it valued as its own treasure!
So slow and secured in its boot, now prettier.
the foot headed for the trails.
The very trails it could not be running or hiking.
Today was all leisure
even though the path certainly felt a little more challenging.
Arrived at the water,
the foot, all excited, tossed its boot, removed its sock, and slipped on a Teva.
It was time to turn its little toes into happy splashers.
There was no contending.
Now, in the water,
the foot was happier.
Discomfort and pain were somehow gone, and the foot now had "its spa!"
"On avance! Oui Oui!" the foot started splashing and chanting
"On avance! Oui! Oui!
Now our foot was in a much better mood
" when you feel happier
you certainly heal faster
and nature and water
are the best places for pleasure and leisure
it makes you calmer and stronger!"
As a painter and illustrator, anything can be my canvas
"Water is a powerful healer!"
the happy foot observed,
glancing at the boot sunbathing
while it, our foot, kept splashing!
As if to convince itself that it was somehow obeying its doctors' order, the foot was thinking:
"I am being still and resting anyway!" thought the foot proudly.
"It's not like I am running or hiking, but this is certainly healthy," concluded the foot.
Feeling good was essential to the foot, which believed that when your mind is happier
your body does heal a little faster
and movement is always good, even if you must stay still to enjoy moving water...
When it was time to leave the water
the foot slipped off its Teva
and stepped back in its pretty boot.
saying a little prayer,
A grateful whisper
" Thank you for having me
Thank you for calming me
Thank you for healing me!"
Looking at the water with gratitude
it was time to part from its unique spa.
Now free from its previous feeling of anxiety.
the foot appreciated this simple luxury.
Nature therapy made always made our foot happy!
Now, it did not mind wearing its boot.
Suddenly, the boot looked quite pretty
and our foot was more confident in its fast recovery!
With a lot less trouble, the foot was gently but firmly limping away from the water.
the happy hormones were kicking in!
"Yay to dopamine, and serotonin!"
cheered our foot! At this instant, the pain was nowhere to be found, and this was a win.
Satisfied the foot slowly walked off the trails thinking:
"Nature is a healer
You do heal faster
when you are calmer."
Of this, the foot was a believer: nature is a healer.
"On avance! Oui! Oui!"
How did you enjoy this short story?
I am healing from a foot injury that has kept me from running and hiking, but taking it easy does not mean being sedentary.
Convalescence can be frustrating, and for people used to being on the move, the impact on our mental health can be as important as our physical condition.
Nature is a phenomenal anti-depressant.
Proverbs 15:20: "Good news gives health to the bones."
I believe that even when we can't do things at our usual pace, we need slow movements to heal.
Slow, moderate movements coupled with deep breathing can work wonders on the mind, body, and spirit.
It is important to listen to our bodies and also to our minds.
Our body is not the only thing that needs minding.
We also have to mind our mind and diligently work on taking good care of it.
In my book The Art of Rooting, I addressed how sitting by a tree, even for a moment, can be calming for our nervous system.
Water is a known healer in countless ways.
Nature is Medicine.
The Art of Rooting is a 2024 winner of the International Impact Book Award.
Can you attest to the healing benefits of nature on your physical and mental well-being?
Write a happy ending for our foot recovery. How would you end our story?
Before I move on to other shenanigans.
Visit Amazon to check out more of my books.
My first storybook Little Corey & Cousin Nia's Fun Trip to the Farmers Market earned me a little love note from the White House from Michelle and Barack Obama, during their last year of presidency.
In the past year (2023-2024) I have published
The Nakbook Journal collection,
and The Self-Love Blessing ( Lyrics in 3 languages).
You can relax with those affirming and empowering words recorded in two languages. (Apple Music and Spotify)For more access to my work, books, clips of performances, ways to follow me on social media, and more, please visit my Linktree.
Thank You
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