The Owl's Screech

"What was that...?"

"What was what?"

"That horrendous screaming! Didn't you just hear it? It was terrifying. A truly evil sound. What was it? Do you know?"

"That was an owl... They do that to communicate with other owls when they're out hunting... Or they feel somewhat threatened by other predators... Baby owls screech like that too, I think."

"You know so many amazing things, grandpa. It must be so nice to always be aware of everything people ask you. Always have the right answers for every question. I would never have guessed that sound came from an owl. No, sir. Maybe an evil dragon, or something like that."

"I'm well aware of almost everything that interests me... But I'm nowhere near knowing everything. I'd have to live a thousand lives and remember them all in order... In order to know a spark of everything the world hides from us. That's how little I know. That's how little interest in things I have. But hey, if you wanna know a thing or two about this or that... Well there's always books, you know? As long as you know how to pick'em..."

"Was that how you knew the scream came from an owl? You read it in a book?"

"No..."

"How then?"

"I looked up, kid. Sometimes you just gotta look. Sometimes answers are right there... But if you're not looking for them you'll never find 'em. T'was a night just like this one... I heard this piercing screech, and reluctantly I looked up, and what I saw were four or five white owls all flying together. That's when I knew."

"I think I understand, grandpa. I think you were very brave to have looked up. I would have ran inside. My mom once told me that owls are birds that guide our spirits to the other side."

"She said that...? And... Well, what do you think about it? You think birds can do that? Lead our spirits... Away like that?"

"I don't know. Maybe owls can. Maybe when they screech like that, they're actually calling out to us. And then, if our souls are ready, we go with them. It's what mom said, at least. Oh! There it was again! This was a loud one! Did you hear it? Grandpa...?"