Omphaloskepsis – Sunday Photo Fiction

AnElephantCant deny he’s uneducated
His grasp of foreign languages is weak
His Latin ain’t much
French is all double Dutch
And he only knows one word of Greek

This is a weekly invitation to write a short piece of fiction (c. 150 words) based on a photo prompt (below) provided by Alastair.
Just click on the link to find a torrent of tumultuous tales in response to this week’s excellent image.
But please first cast an eye over AnElephant’s watery wailings.

Copyright – Al Forbes

Omphaloskepsis

Sylvan glades.
I love that expression.
I think of it every time I stroll through these verdant woods.
But, much as the trees give me pleasure, they are only bit players in today’s scenario.
Because I am going, as always, to the waterfall.
I sit on the bank of the stream and gaze at its splendour.
There is something especially soothing about the sight of water cascading into a frothing, pounding maelstrom.
And the sound of it tumbling, splashing and rippling is music to my ears.
This is where I come to think.
To ponder life’s great mysteries.
To agonise over which course of action is the right one, for myself and for those dear to me.
To contemplate life, the universe, and everything.
And my navel.
In short, to solve life’s problems, large and small.
I am in an almost yoga-like trance, enjoying a near-mystical experience.
Except that this time I am not.
Usually I find peace here, tranquility of spirit.
But not today.
Try as I might, I cannot come up with a good title for today’s story.