[Calann]: 135.Contest entries.FiveWordsSpring11

owl

climatic

bowl

tug

silken

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Large yellow eyes blink in the dimly lit room. There is a rustle; then, a series of clicks. A soft hoot echoes in the rafters. A door opens, spilling light on the stone floor, and an elderly woman shuffles slowly towards a table in the corner. Grimacing, she sets down a bowl and snaps her fingers. The owl glides to her, coming to a halt next to the earthenware dish and knocking a goblet off the table. The woman tsks, but sits and lets the bird eat. Absently, she strokes its wings as the bowl is emptied, marvelling at the silken feathers under her touch. The bird reaches to tug at its snowy back, then turns its luminous gaze on the woman. Click. Click. Clickclick. Click. "Yes, I know," she says. "The climatic environment is less than ideal. We will go in the morning."