Beauty and the four walls

"If walls could talk love, what a tale our walls would tell, just like a storybook saga, or the thoughts from a wishing well. A movie screen to show the scenes, of a castle dark, a fortress strong, or the chains upon our feet". This is the song which is sung by us walls everywhere. If you put your ears down deep within where we dwell, you too can hear our lullaby.

East Wall was having a really bad day. The next door neighbor's kid had been banging his fists at him for what seemed like hours. He didn't like that one, the kid was spoilt, loud and ill tempered. Whenever his parents scolded him, he ran through the hole he had made in HER fence and came to vent his frustrations on me, the innocent and beautifully painted wall. I usually minded my own business, but this kid had it coming to him. I am not really sure what I can do to him without the aid of arms or legs, but I'm sure I can think of something.

HER real name is Helena, but I call her Beauty. I protect her from the outside world as best as I can. Door knows he must be locked and keep her secure. Windows know their job, open wide and let the sunlight in during summer, and be closed tight and keep the warmth in during the harsh cold of winter nights and dreary days.

"What is that racket going on outside"? She asked, emerging from her bedroom where she had been sleeping, her hair tussled, eyes unfocused and her hand stifling the early morning yawn.

"It's Robbie from next door". I answered. I am not crazy, I know she can't hear me, the important thing is that I can hear her.

Helena walked to the window on the east side of the room, the morning sun was just beginning to peek anew, as she awakened over the horizon and cast her first rays of sunlight across the heavens. Beauty opened the window and paused for a moment to bask in its warm glow as it seeped into her pores.

Robbie had paused when the window opened, upon seeing her, he screamed again and pounded the wall, distracting her attention from the warmth of the rosy hue of the dawning sunlight.

"Hello there Robbie. Want to come around to the door and talk"? I have no idea why she likes this spoilt brat of a kid, but she always seemed to be able to calm him down.

"No, I hate everybody"! He sulked and huffed, turned and ran back through his private little covered hole, and hid among the leaves where no one could see him. Helena deliberately left the hole unmended. The child was free to use it whenever he liked, it was not immediately visible to the unknowing eye, the vines of the Golden child Ivy plant obscured it from view.

She stood for a few more moments as the sun poured in through the window. Another day had dawned, bringing with it new hopes and aspirations. Maybe Robbie will talk later when he had calmed down.

Luckily for us Walls, humans built their houses in squares, kind of like boxes built to keep them all wrapped up like Christmas and Birthday gifts. This helped us walls keep a keen check on all sides of the home. East, west, north and south walls each knew how to get the job of keeping their owners safe done properly. They report all the carryings on from each side and angle of the house to each other on a regular basis, or when demanded or necessary.

As Helena turned from the window, I was awed by her irregular and glaring beauty. She was 5ft 11 inches tall, with the face of an angel. A model in a top agency, she was in great demand by everyone in the profession. Beauty had a slim body and carried herself in a regal and majestic manner. Her hair was usually worn all free and unhindered by clasps or bands, otherwise she would wear it wound up on the top of her head. She loved to put those discs on her music player, the old fashioned type, not the ones scrunched in the ear like everyone else I see passing by. She would dance all by herself, swirling around the room, her arms embracing an imaginary partner or just waving in happy crazy motions as she smiled or laughed or sang out loud to the lyrics of the music.

Sometimes, when she is sad, she lays her head against me and cries a little. At those times I would gladly give up my bricks in exchange for arms to hold her close and comfort her. Alas, I can only stand strong and gallantly hold her head steady against my strength.

I always wonder why she never has anyone over to her house, this lovely woman, always all alone. Well, she does have us walls, she seems content to have us as her constant companions whenever she is home, she travels a lot for her job. Maybe she just loves the peace and quiet after the rather noisy nature of her profession. Whatever the reason, I am happy to surround her with love whenever she demands it.

I am East and all walls report to me. North wall heard my query and decided to enquire of other walls, why Helena preferred to be alone. We are just as inquisitive as any human can be.

Meanwhile, she has decided to take a bath. The bathroom is upstairs on my wall, so that the sun which she so loves, greets her window every morning.

"Close your eyes, you pervert"! Shouts North wall.

"Why should I, the naked form is perfect and amazing. I am curious about everything they do, clothed or unclosed. What else do I have to entertain me, standing here all day and all night". I do avert my eyes sometimes, let her have some privacy.

"Lucky old devil, you are on the right side of the house. Aside from South side, who has the bedroom, West and North gets none of those pleasures". North wall was sulking just a bit.

"People pass by your sides all day long, what are you complaining about"? South wall chimed in.

"Yes, but not naked ones, those I would like to see too". Replied North.

"Now who is the pervert"? Chuckled West.

"Quiet, you lot. East wall next door has some news". West admonished.

"She heard from South wall next door, who heard from West wall three houses over, who heard from the Highrise posh building, who heard from the swanky new complex down by the waterfront, who heard from...".

"Alright already, interrupted West rather rudely, we get it, it's coming from a far way away. Spill it already"! He harrumphed.

"Well, it seems there was one whom Beauty had loved, he was a military man. He cared about her very much. Treated her like a queen, they were engaged and were very happy indeed. There was, however, an incident with two aircrafts while on active duty overseas and he never returned. They used to dance to that disc machine that she always plays. Maybe she thinks that he may return someday, if she continues playing and dancing the way they used to do".

All the walls were quiet for a long time. All vowing silently to keep their lovely mistress safe and sound.

Helena felt safe and comforted within the walls of her home. She always long to return home whenever she has to work. She had a kind of heartfelt vibration whenever she touched the walls. They yelled in pain whenever she hung her marvelous pictures and photographs. There were a few of her award winning ones of which we were proud to display, despite the intrusion of the pinpricks now and then.

Beauty felt at home and at peace in this precious place.

Only the walls knew why!