Page 21 - Pierce County Lawyer Novemer December 2024

Tzi-Tzith was not afraid, just surprised. The bird had a beak and
wings and dripped seaweed from its talons. He was fascinated
by the silver-grey feathers flocked with dirt.
“Tzi-Tzith,” it said, “why are you alone crying down here?”
“Because the last of Hanukkah is tonight and Soontag has
the Menorah,” he began, then stopped and looked at the bird.
“What are you and how do you know my name?”
“I have seen you when you came on deck and the others teased
you. Now as to what I am . . . I’m a gull and I live on water.”
The bird paused and tilted its head sideways so the contrast of
shadow and light made him more visible. A flicker of light came
through and glistened off the raindrops resting on its feathers.
“It is dirty out and it has not snowed,” Tzi-Tzith said and
explained that the British could not see the lighted Menorah in
the dark, but Soontag had it and the Captain was still thinking
about letting him light the last candles.
Suddenly the bird stood up straight and leaned forward. “Must
you have the candlestick? Wouldn’t just the candles be all right.”
“I can’t do that, “ Tzi-Tzith said, but he did not know why.
“Are you afraid to let me help?”
“No!” Tzi-Tzith replied, with courage, “but I don’t even know
your name.”
The bird looked at Tzi-Tzith. “Like you, Tzi-Tzith, I have no
real name,” he said. “The boys and girls who come to watch me
swoop and are here have never given me a name.”
“That is a lot to think about!”
“Does that make you sad, gull? You know what you are,” Tzi-
Tzith said.
“But that’s not like being something special and having a
name!”
“Oh,” Tzi-Tzith answered, concerned now because he too had
no name. He had long ago forgotten whatever his parents had
called him.
“Let’s go and ask the Captain,” the gull said.
So Tzi-Tzith got up and the bird turned himself around so Tzi-
Tzith could climb on the porthole edge and step on his back.
Tzi-Tzith found the burnished feathers soft and slippery, but
he settled himself deep in the midst of the smooth surface by
parting the bark down. He could hear the voices of Soontag and
others arguing above as the wind’s howl grew shriller and the
rain pelted against the gulls down now covering him. There was
a feeling of rest, as if he were soaking in his bath, as they moved
upward together.
Below, the ship was a darker line against the dark water; the
bird dipped and they landed near the bridge. Tzi-Tzith tried to
get up, but the wind was blowing hard and something pressed
him back and held him down. He could hear Captain Mason.
“I’m hard pressed to stop before we crash against the shore,
mate, but the British are certainly nearby. I don’t know if the
others have put to oar and are moving onward.”
“Now is the time,” the boy said. “The Captain believes in prayer,
the Menorah is a prayer.
“Shh,” the gull commanded.
“If we stay,” it was Soontag’s voice, “we surely must make no
noise nor allow any lights!”
Tzi-Tzith ground his teeth. He could see Soontag, who
delighting in his teasing, now able to see that the Captain had
refused the Menorah. It had been Soontag who kidded him
about his clothes and nicknamed him after the tassels on his
prayer shawl.
Tzi-Tzith jumped up and climbed down to the bird’s leg,
jumping onto the deck and disappearing under an artillery
piece by the rail. A sharp beak grabbed quickly at his collar and
swung him back onto the feathery back.
“You’re too fast,” the gull said sharply.
“But I have the Menorah.”
“Where was it?”
“Where Soontag puts all the things he takes.”
The bird swooped up and around to the cabin.
When they were back at the porthole, Tzi-Tzith pulled at the
great beast’s feathers.
“What now?” “How do you light it?”
“We’ll think of something,” the boy assured him, as he pushed
each candle into place.
The boat’s movements became less controlled as they stopped
moving and began to bob in place.
“What is it?” the bird asked.
“We’re moored,” Tzi-Tzith announced “and in this weather we’ll
roll and bob. How do you make candles safe when we’re moving
like this?”
“I don’t know?” After a moment, the bird said, “If you want, put
it on my back.”
Continued on next page.
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