The Urban Goose: Volume 2
The Tale of Gary: The Urban Goose’s Journey to Inner Peace
In the heart of a bustling city, amidst honking horns and towering skyscrapers, lived Gary, an urban goose. Gary was no ordinary bird—he was a thinker, a worrier, and, unfortunately, a prisoner of his own mind.
Gary spent his days waddling through crowded parks and scavenging for crumbs near food trucks. But his thoughts were heavy. "Why do the pigeons get all the attention?" he’d wonder. "Why do humans shoo me away? Why does life feel so unfair?" These questions weighed him down like stones tied to his wings.
One gray morning, as Gary gazed at his reflection in a rain puddle, he saw more than his feathers and beak. He saw the exhaustion in his eyes, the toll of carrying his negative thoughts. It was then that an old, wise raven landed beside him.
"Gary," the raven croaked, "you are lost in the maze of your mind. You seek crumbs outside, but the feast you hunger for is within."
Gary tilted his head, confused but curious. "What feast? I only find scraps."
The raven cawed knowingly. "Close your eyes, Gary. Silence your worries. Breathe deeply. Listen not to the city’s chaos but to the rhythm of your own heart."
Though sceptical, Gary tried. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. At first, all he heard was the noise of the city. But then, like the first rays of dawn breaking through clouds, he felt a calmness stir within him.
The raven spoke again. "You are not your worries, Gary. You are the wind beneath your wings, the ripples in the water. Your thoughts are just passing clouds in the sky of your soul. Let them float by."
Day by day, Gary practiced this new way of being. When negative thoughts crept in, he let them go, like fallen leaves drifting on a stream. He began to notice the beauty around him—the golden light reflecting off skyscraper windows, the laughter of children in the park, the symphony of life all around him.
Gary realized he didn’t need crumbs of validation from the outside world. He had everything he needed within. His worth wasn’t tied to human approval or comparisons with other birds. He was Gary, the urban goose, unique and whole just as he was.
From that day forward, Gary walked lighter. His spirit soared higher. He no longer scavenged for scraps of joy—he radiated it. And in his peace, he inspired others—birds and humans alike—to find their own inner calm amidst the noise of the world.
Gary’s story reminds us that no matter where we live or how chaotic life seems, the path to peace begins within. All we have to do is let go, breathe, and trust the wind to carry us forward.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TAKE ACTION.
