They existed because there were shadows. Without shadow, they would have frizzled in the sun’s heat and been nothing.

Nature had made them shadow creatures because the shadows needed something to call their own. Shadows are transient, and so there evolved the shadow creatures, small and not particularly attractive but content to hug the shadows as they migrated each day east to west and sometimes north to south.

They were proud creatures and understanding of their uniqueness gathered each evening in the last of the daily shadows to settle into the largest and longest shadow of all, the night.

Realising their existence depended on the shadows they rejoiced in their good fortune, sang their songs and chanted the end of day full of praise for the being that had allowed them to exist.

If you look hard enough, you might see them. They eat the remnants of sun-kissed grasses and the bark from the tree facing sunwards.

As a new day emerges, the shadow creatures gather in expectation of not the suns warmth but the emerging life-giving shadows provided for them.

So, the next time you are sitting in the shade on a hot sunny day, and you feel a nudge on your arm, it’s probably a friendly gesture from another shade appreciative being.

Written for: https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2017/10/14/weekend-writing-prompt-24-shadows/