The eye of the lion

He stretched a little and moved his tiny eyes, trying to see the light again. This time he couldn’t find it, and instead felt a sensation of helplessness. He clasped his delicate hands together and curled up his little body, as though he was cold.

Lately that unpleasant sensation was occurring more frequently. Sometimes it was followed by a more pleasant one, one which comforted him and made him feel good, which bathed him in a warmth which lulled him to sleep. Suddenly he felt it approaching and recognized it. It was a murmur, hardly audible and distant, tremulous and sweet, which came from everywhere and enveloped him like a tender embrace, wrapping him in a sensation of peace which was like nothing else in the world.

Then, placidly, imperturbably, little Joshua fell asleep again in the cozy world which was his mother’s belly, lulled to sleep by Marina’s gentle voice.