Livora Gracely

Grandpa and Grandma had been traveling together for so long that nobody remembered who started following whom.

Some believed Grandpa was leading.

Others believed Grandma was.

The camel remained unconvinced.

The desert stretched endlessly in every direction.

Sand.

Heat.

More sand.

Then slightly warmer sand.

Most travelers found this discouraging.

Grandpa found it peaceful.

Grandma found it romantic.

The camel found it suspicious.

Every morning Grandpa took hold of the rope.

Every morning Grandma climbed onto the saddle.

Every morning a small bird appeared from nowhere.

The arrangement never changed.

One afternoon the bird finally asked.

“Why do you keep traveling through the desert?”

Grandpa shrugged.

“Fresh air.”

The bird looked around.

The air appeared to be ninety percent sunshine.

Grandma smiled.

“We enjoy the scenery.”

The bird examined the scenery.

The scenery appeared to be hiding.

The camel continued walking.

It had learned not to ask questions.

Several days later the bird returned with a practical concern.

“There is almost no food out here.”

Grandma opened a basket.

Inside were seeds.

Bread.

Fruit.

Biscuits.

And enough snacks to support a medium-sized festival.

The bird immediately reconsidered its position.

The next morning it returned earlier.

For research purposes.

Naturally.

The camel also began walking more enthusiastically.

This was not related to the snacks.

Officially.

Weeks passed.

The strange little caravan became well known.

Travelers often waved.

Some asked where they were going.

Grandpa always gave the same answer.

“Forward.”

This sounded philosophical.

Mostly because nobody could think of a follow-up question.

One evening, as the sun painted the dunes gold, the bird landed beside Grandma.

“I think I understand now.”

“Understand what?” asked Grandma.

“Why you travel.”

Grandpa smiled.

The camel rolled its eyes.

The bird continued.

“You love adventure.”

Grandma laughed.

“No.”

“You love the desert.”

“No.”

“You love exploring.”

“Not really.”

The bird became confused.

“Then why are you here?”

Grandma reached over and gently squeezed Grandpa’s hand.

The answer arrived immediately.

“We were never traveling through the desert.”

The bird blinked.

The camel stopped walking.

Grandma smiled.

“We were simply spending time together.”

A long silence followed.

Even the wind seemed to pause.

Finally the camel sighed.

That explained everything.

Including the snacks.

Especially the snacks.

The next morning the bird returned again.

Not because it enjoyed philosophy.

It just wanted another biscuit.

The camel claimed exactly the same reason.