My eyes flickered to the left, but swiftly returned back to the blank page. Crickets droned on outside, urging me to do something.
Anything.
“Write of great princes and stunningly beautiful maidens" they chirped.
“No," I rejected the thought immediately, "That's much to chilchè"
“Well, why not draw a romantic sunset, covered in a blanket of pink clouds?" they suggested.
“No," I said once more, “ A romantic sunset deserves color, and I have none to give."
“Perhaps scribble down a poem about stars, and all they do?"
“Stars?" I asked, “All stars do, is fall. It seems my efforts are hopeless, friends." I pushed the paper aside.
“Now, now," Squeaked the crickets, “We mustn't lose hope. How about a sketching a crying child in the rain?"
“No, that won't do," I whispered to them “Now please, keep it down."
“Oh, yes." said the crickets “But wait here, we will be back."
“Where are you going?" I asked, but with no response. The crickets had hopped away.
---
“Hello Claire.” A mouse greeted me.
“Oh, hello mouse. I’m glad you have visited, but why have you come?” I pet between her ears.
“The crickets sent me to help.” She stated.
“The crickets?” I asked, “But this was supposed to be secret…” I said under my breath.
“Yes, yes.” The mouse rolled her eyes and smiled at me, “This will remain unknown, trust me.”
“Thank you mouse.” I turned back to the paper, “What do you suggest?”
“Hmm…” The mouse paused for a moment of thought. “Draw a world so small, it fits on a page.”
“No,” I repeated, “That's much to distant.”
“Very well.” The mouse squeaked, “Why not write a story about true love?”
“No,” I recited “A story like that deserve love, and I have not to give.”
“Alright, alright.” said the mouse, annoyed, “Oh, how about a poem about hope?”
I sighed. “All hopes do, is die. This effort is worthless mouse.”
“Come now, don’t give in.” The mouse encouraged, “Um… Maybe a tall tale? About a silly girl with pigtails?”
“No, that won’t do,” I whispered, “Now please, quiet down!”
“Stop being paranoid,” said the mouse, “now stay here, I’ll be back.”
“No mouse!” I called out, “Where are you going?” I turned to reach for her, but she was gone.
---
“Hello Claire.” A crow perched mightily on my windowsill.
“Oh, well hello doctor.” I greeted him politely. “What brings you here this evening?”
“The mouse sent me.” The crow cawed.
“Mouse?” I whispered to myself, wondering how long this had to go on.
“Now then, I like to keep things short, so let's get to work.” the crow said with soulless eyes.
“A-alright then sir.” I whimpered, with a sense of pity. “What do you suggest?”
“Write a story about far off lands with world peace.” He droned.
“No, that's much to unrealistic.”
“Very well,” He adjusted his foot balance. “Draw a series of spectacular places.”
I shook my head, “But doctor, that deserves accuracy, and I have none to give.”
“Hmph” The crow grumbled, “Write a poem about birds, and how we are so free.” He boasted.
“All birds do, is fly.” I said, looking hopelessly at my blank paper.
“Than perhaps write about how foolish you are.” He spat, and flew away.
“No, Doctor!” I stood and leaned out the window, “But I need help!” I cried, but he had flown too far to hear me.
---
“How are you Claire?” A cat creeped in the room.
“Oh, hello cat.” I sat back down at my desk. “I’m doing well, other than my very blank paper.” I sighed.
“How unfortunate.” The cat stretched out across the floor. “Would you like my help?”
“Oh yes, if you don’t mind.” I steadied myself in my chair.
“Alright.” The cat said, “Have you tried seeing something inspiring?”
“Something inspiring?” I shook my head, “I don’t know anything that would look inspiring.”
“Well.” Cat began to lick his tail, “ Have you tried listening to something beautiful?”
“Something beautiful?” I asked, “I don’t know anything that would sound beautiful.”
“Alright” The cat looked confused, “Um, what about smelling something good?”
“Something good?” I looked down, “I don’t know anything that would smell good.”
“Strange.” The cat stood, “Then why not leave the paper blank?” The cat said, leaving the room.
“Nothing at all?” I looked to the cat, but he was gone. “That’s not a bad idea…” I said, leaving the room.