Sapphic Voices General Fiction

An Unnatural Selection -- A Love Story

“It’s unnatural!” the woman grumbled, her hands resting on ample hips. “That’s what it is, unnatural!” The old man lifted his grizzled head before straightening up, one hand absently rubbing his back. The woman’s lined face softened as she looked at her husband’s tired stance. “Do you have to?” the concern roughened her voice. “I don’t understand. Who told you to do it?” The man’s perplexed eyes were hooded by frowning brows.

“I can’t explain, Pet. I just know I have to do it.”


The woman shook her head in exasperation as she waddled back towards the house, muttering to herself.

“What can he be thinking of? 40 days indeed! The whole thing’s unnatural.” Her voice rose again as she called back over her shoulder that his meal was nearly ready. “And you make sure you come in and eat it this time!”


The man looked at the unwieldy hammer in his hand and sighed as he absently shooed away a couple of colourful but persistent butterflies. He was a simple man and he didn’t understand it all. Had he got the message right? Maybe he had imagined it! His long whiskers twitched gently from side to side as he shook his head. He turned rheumy eyes towards the blue horizon, only the differing shades distinguishing between ocean and sky. Breathing in deeply, his sea-faring nose could detect no sign of rain. He looked once more at the rolling hills which hid the inland horizon.


His doubts increasing by the minute, he was jolted out of his reverie by a slight nudge to his back. Turning, he met the soft brown eyes that looked at him with a strange intensity, before the animal dropped its muzzle into his hand, gently blowing onto his fingers.

“Yes, Snowy.” The man’s brow cleared as he stroked the silken ears. “I know that you are proof that it’s all true. If only you could explain it all to me, so that I could try to explain it to……” His voice trailed off as he saw Snowy’s head lift and his ears cock forward. The tense look on the animal’s normally serene face made the old man speak with sympathy.

“She’ll come, Snowy. We’ve still got lots of time. This may be her now.” They both turned towards the sound of hooves but the disappointment showed in their eyes as it became evident that the sound came from two beasts.


They stood together watching as the two donkeys rounded a bend and came into view, their matching steps bringing them forward. Swallowing its disappointment the old man’s friend trotted over to meet the newcomers, nuzzling their necks, making them welcome.


“Noah! You just come in this minute and eat your tea! Oh my God! Not more of them? Where are we going to fit them? You just leave Snowy to sort them out and come inside right now.” Noah turned and walked towards the house, watching the silhouette of the Arab stallion against the setting sun, its proud bearing unbending a little as his beautiful Palamino mare pranced coquettishly around him. Noah scooped a precariously balanced kitten from a tree-branch, restoring her to her worriedly mewing partner.

“Come on Blackie, no daring balancing acts at this stage please. Look after her, Ginger, she’s special. You’re all very special.” He glanced once more at the lonely figure, head up, one hoof off the ground, waiting, waiting for his mate to arrive. Noah turned away, not wanting to intrude.


The old man pushed the bleating sheep away from the entrance of his dwelling just as his long-suffering wife shooed the hen and rooster from underfoot.

“Nearly finished.” Noah’s wife was cryptically informed. “One day, maybe two.” She nodded and chose not to harangue her husband again.

“Any sign of rain?” she asked gently. He shook his head. “Well,” she said teasingly, “I don’t know what we’ll be doing with all these beasties if it doesn’t come. And…” she gave a sidelong look out of the window at a few amorous couples, enjoying the warm sun-set, “and their babies! …..Any sign of Snowy’s mate yet?” The question was asked softly as both herself and Noah had fallen under the spell of the unusual animal since it had arrived, unheralded, more than a month before. She prayed that the missing animal would soon arrive.


The couple had a disturbed night, hearing the sounds of many arrivals, knowing that Snowy would welcome them all. Just before daybreak they heard the unmistakable sound of pattering rain. Noah felt a small hand tuck itself into his own gnarled one. They both knew that this was the start.


Up at dawn, Noah and his wife got busy, with Noah putting the last touches on the huge boat that everyone had laughed at. The sails were ready to be unfurled and the old boat builder’s heart raced with anticipation. His wife spent the day putting the provisions on board as late-comers arrived in a steady stream which dwindled to a few hurrying laggards. The rain teemed down, quickly soaking everything that wasn’t covered. The puddles rose and joined one to another and Noah’s eyes kept straying to the rising tide.


The pairs of animals no longer taking Snowy’s attention, he was to be seen on a high hill looking land-wards, the rain streaming off his coarse coat, making it glisten wetly. Noah walked slowly towards him, heedless of the rain soaking through his own coat.

“Snowy, lad. We’re going to have to leave at high tide. I dare not delay until the next one. I have to head out to sea, there’ll be too many dangerous hills over the land.” Snowy nuzzled Noah’s shoulder in understanding. “I’m so sorry.” The lump in Noah’s throat barely letting the words out. “We’re getting them all on board now. I’ll come for you when we’re all ready.” He turned away and hurried back to the boat, tears blurring his eyes.


“You’ll have to go for him. We’re all ready.” Noah knew his wife was right, the tide was already starting to turn. Once again he climbed the hill.

“Come on, my friend. We have to leave now.” The beautiful beast looked at him with soulful eyes and stretched its neck out, blowing into the man’s face. It then took a step backwards and shook its head from side to side. Understanding came to Noah and, reluctantly, with one last stroke of the long nose, he turned and walked away.


On board the boat, Noah hoisted the sails and aimed the bow seaward. He walked up to the hand-made wooden board and deliberately made a mark with his knife -- One day! Thirty nine more days and forty nights to go. He put his arm round his wife’s shoulders as they looked once more at the figure on the high hill surrounded by water. In silhouette they could see the animal, one hoof lifted off the ground, head held perfectly still and his one horn proudly pointing to the sky; as he waited patiently for its mate to arrive.

If you have enjoyed F.J. Davey's "An Unnatural Selection -- A Love Story", then please be certain to e-mail her at  francis7[at]bigpond.net.au  and thank her for posting this Story.

Click here for a list of all of F.J. Davey's Stories and Poetry at  Sapphic Voices Authoresses.