Inle Lake, Myanmar (Photo: Julien de Salaberry on Unsplash)
Arkar waited. The sky, his namesake, spread gray and calm above him.
Sometimes it took Dachen a little longer to make it. No matter.
Long breaths passed. A dog barked in the distance. Children laughed, and Arkar thought of the first time he’d met Dachen. They were but boys themselves then. Dachen had just come to live with his grandparents, who lived downstream from Arkan’s childhood home. The old folk enfolded the young orphan. “Our great joy, he is, true to his name.”
Dachen was as gregarious as Arkar was shy. They balanced each other. Then and since.
A pat sounded and Arkar lifted his pole in welcome. Dachen neared and expertly swiveled his boat to face Arkar’s.
“Twelve fish today,” Dachen’s face shone. He accepted a cup from Arkar. “Two big ones here for your wife.”
Arkar smiled his thanks. For the fish. For his friend. “Tea time?”
Na'ama Yehuda 
Na’ama Y’karah,
Your story of friendship just makes me smile. Friendship and human kindness are (or should be) universal. Wonderful piece of writing.
Shalom and good night,
Rochelle
Mine is here: https://rochellewisoff.com/2019/11/16/economics/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rochelle! Yes to friendship and human kindness! 🙂 Off to read yours! Good night! Na’ama
LikeLike
Love this simple tale of lasting friendship. You story reflects the simplicity of life which is so commonly taken for granted. Well written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Tien! I believe that for many of us, most of life’s joy is in the moments of simple connection. I am glad this came through! 🙂 Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cannot say other than Tien has already said. A beautiful tale of what’s so often taken for granted and thus ignored.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Crispina! I’m glad this came across … because indeed so many times it is the day in and day out moments of true connection — whatever form they take — that make joy. And should not be taken for granted, though all too often are. Thanks again for this comment, Na’ama
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Delightful portrait of a friendship. I love how this is written.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, J! 🙂 I love friendships and connection between people (or people and pets, or between animals … you get the gist …), and the small but meaningful exchanges that make them. 🙂 Glad if it came across! Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s such a lovely, loving scene between old friends. Well told and gorgeously done
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lynn, for this lovely and generous feedback! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
LikeLike
I love this story, Na’ama. You’ve given it a quiet tranquillity, in the subject matter, in the descriptions, and in the style of writing. Beautiful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay, Penny. I’m so glad the calm contentment of it got communicated. There is such delicate beauty in the image, and such grace in the people of Myanmar I’d met (not many, granted, but lovely people all), that I wanted to try and capture it. 🙂 Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a fabulous photo, Na’ama, and your story captures it beautifully. I love this phrase, considering the way the two boaters are perched on their narrow skiffs:They balanced each other. Truly meditative.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I was moved by the balance (almost against gravity) of the two men on their boats! And I’m so glad you ‘got it’ that this was part of what I was trying to convey! 🙂 The photo is sublime, isn’t it? Not my photo (as you can see in the credit), but absolutely fantastic and evocative. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely tale of friendship, but also of mindfulness. Made me smile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Karen! 🙂 Mission accomplished … 😉
LikeLike
I’ve had this up on my tabs for days now… Finally I can tell you that his is such a beautifully written story… I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I’m so pleased! A friend of mine had been to, and works with people from Myanmar, in part with refugees, in part with people who still live there. Some of her stories obviously made a home in me. 🙂
And that photo … well … as soon as I saw it, the story became.
So delighted it resonated! Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a wonderful one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
XOXO
LikeLiked by 1 person