A Talk Way Up in the Branches

by Luke Brett

(Sounds of a forest. Sound of a hummingbird zipping from place to place)

HUMMINGBIRD:
Hey owl. Hey owl! Hey owl. Hey. Hey owl, I need to talk to you for juzzt a second.

(Sound of a barred owl's hoot)

OWL:
What is it, hummingbird? Stay in one place. It makes me nervous when you zip.

(Sound of a hummingbird hovering, not zipping)

HUMMINGBIRD:
How's this? Is this better? I can do this. I can do this if that's better. I can hover and flit.

OWL:
Just hover and flit for now, thank you. That is better. What can I do for you?

HUMMINGBIRD:
Lately I find myself tormented because I want to know the meaning of life. Obsessed! Tormented! Astounded!

OWL:
Well, I can tell you the meaning of life, if you think that would help.

HUMMINGBIRD:
You can?! Oh, tell it to me! Please tell it to me. What is the meaning of life?

OWL:
“Mating, sleeping, eating, singing, flying and perching.”

HUMMINGBIRD:
...that's it?

OWL:
What, you need more than that?

HUMMINGBIRD:
I guess I thought it would be something secret and very, very comforting.

OWL:
Everything on that list is comforting.

HUMMINGBIRD:
But I do all of those things! I've mated and slept and fed and I fly all the time and I'm singing to you right now!

OWL:
They are all good things, my little friend. But you must not be afraid to perch. Perch until you want to fly.

HUMMINGBIRD:
(softly, happily) Oh.

(The sound of HUMMINGBIRD hovering stops. For a moment, there is only the sound of the forest. Then the branch shakes and the leaves rustle and wings flap as OWL and HUMMINGBIRD fly away together)