Bartholomew and the Very Important Hurry

Bartholomew Snailsworth was late.

At least, that was what everyone kept telling him.

"Morning, Bartholomew!" called Mr Bramble as he hurried past with his postbag. "Best get a move on!"

"Coming!" called Bartholomew.

He wasn't.

He was looking at a particularly beautiful patch of clover.

A little further along the lane, the Clockmaker Rabbit appeared outside his workshop, pocket watch already in paw.

"Goodness, Bartholomew! Have you seen the time?"

Bartholomew hadn't.

He'd been watching a ladybird climb a blade of grass.

By the time he reached Mr Tea Toad's teahouse, the morning tables were already full.

"You're rather late today," said Mr Tea Toad kindly, placing a tiny cup before him.

"Apparently so," sighed Bartholomew.

He looked around.

Everyone seemed to be doing something.

Mr Bramble had letters to deliver.

The Clockmaker Rabbit had clocks to mend.

The Crow Sisters were rushing around gathering news that simply couldn't wait until tomorrow.

Even the Key Keeper had a mountain of parcels to prepare.

Bartholomew looked down at his tea.

"What exactly am I late for?"

Mr Tea Toad stopped polishing a cup.

"That's a very good question."

Bartholomew thought about it all afternoon.

Perhaps everyone else knew something he didn't.

So the following morning, he decided he would hurry.

He passed the clover without stopping.

He didn't watch the bees wobbling amongst the lavender.

He ignored a perfectly magnificent mushroom growing beside the bridge.

When the Ancient Whispering Tree rustled its branches in greeting, Bartholomew called, "Can't stop!"

By lunchtime, he'd travelled further than he'd ever managed before noon.

He was exhausted.

But rather pleased with himself.

Then he heard a tiny voice behind him.

"Excuse me?"

Bartholomew turned.

A little field mouse stood beside the path.

"I've lost my button," she said. "It fell somewhere along here."

Bartholomew looked towards the village.

He was making excellent time.

For once.

Then he looked at the mouse.

"Oh," he said.

And Bartholomew stopped.

They searched beneath the ferns.

They looked amongst the moss.

They checked beside the blackberry bushes.

Bartholomew searched slowly.

Very slowly.

Which, as it happened, was exactly the right speed for finding very small buttons.

"There!"

Nestled beneath a buttercup was a tiny blue button.

The mouse's face lit up.

"You found it!"

Bartholomew smiled.

And suddenly he didn't feel late anymore.

On the way home, he stopped to admire the magnificent mushroom.

He watched the bees amongst the lavender.

He said good evening to the Ancient Whispering Tree.

And when the Clockmaker Rabbit appeared at his workshop door and called, "Bartholomew! Do you know what time it is?"

Bartholomew smiled.

"No," he replied.

"And I think that's quite all right."

The world is very good at making us feel behind.

Behind other people.

Behind where we thought we'd be.

Behind some invisible schedule we never actually agreed to follow.

But perhaps not everything worthwhile happens quickly.

Some things need time.

A friendship.

A dream.

A garden.

A new beginning.

Even becoming the person you're meant to be.

Bartholomew didn't get very far that day.

But he noticed the flowers.

He helped someone who needed him.

And he made it home in time for tea.

Perhaps that isn't falling behind at all.

Perhaps it's simply travelling at your own pace.

So if everyone else seems to be racing ahead this week, remember Bartholomew.

You don't have to hurry simply because everyone around you is running.

There are beautiful things beside the path that can only be noticed when you travel slowly enough to see them.

Until next Friday's Forest Fable...

May you never mistake a slower path for the wrong one, and may you always leave enough time to notice the magic along the way.

With warm wishes,

Becky
The Key Keeper
Down Whimsy Way