They had been together since the beginning, both wearing golds and greens, both fond of flowers and leaves.

They had found life useful being the sort to offer comfort and support to others. They were side by side, cozy, snug, content. Years went by and, with their time in the sun, they became a little faded, a little used and it wasn’t too long after that, even though it was after years of service, that it was decided that they had to be let go. They sat, side by side, in a little shop wondering what would become of them. Would they remain together? Would their old coverings be ripped off to be replaced by screaming red and yellow stripes? Would they loose the row of brass tacks running down each arm, surley the best decoration of all?

 No, it turned out that they were to remain together. They weren’t side by side anymore but they could see each other across the room and, best of all, they could still offer comfort and a soft, warm place to sit to anyone wanting to rest for a while.

Side Roads of Europe