Perspective

source; Wikipedia

They were on a sunny afternoon walk along the cliffs overlooking the ocean, surrounded by abundant wildflowers, swallows gliding through the air, and the sea as still and calm as a baby after an exhausting day at the zoo.

‘Look, an orchid,’ said Tom.

‘It’s gorgeous,’ agreed Alice.

‘We’ve been walking for over an hour.’ said Tom. ‘Let’s have a break,’

‘This headland will give us lovely views over the sea,’ agreed Alice. ‘We’ll sit on those rocks.’

As they ambled over the top of the rise, a couple came into view. They were dangerously close to the cliff edge. They seemed to be wrestling.

‘He is trying to push her over!’ cried Alice.

‘No, I think he is trying to hold her,’ said Tom.

‘She’s stepping away from him; trying to get away.’

‘Maybe she tried to push him off,’ said Tom. ‘That’s it, he’s reacting to her trying to push him over the edge.’

‘Oh, my god, she’s crying, and she’s starting to scream,’ cried Alice. ‘She’s so scared of him.’

‘He’s backing away from her now. She’s lost control completely. He’s scared of her,’ Tom’s voice rose an octave. ‘She’s gone completely mad.’

‘She’s definitely committed to revenge.’ Alice’s voice was harsh. ‘What did he do to her, poor woman?’

‘She’s picking up a long stick,’ cried Tom.  ‘Gosh, she’s going to attack him. She’s dangerous.’

‘She needs to defend herself,’ said Alice. ‘Look, the bully is trying to take the stick off her. But she’s pushed him back. Ah, she’s lost her footing. He’s attacking her again.’ Alice’s arms flailed in the air.’ Oh god, what shall we do?’

Tom’s eyes bulged out of his head. ‘They’re wrestling again; near the edge; she’ll pull him over.’

‘He’s got the stick. He’s going to hit her with it. What a horrible, violent man. We should stop him. Have you got your gun? Shoot him.’

Tom pulled out his gun.

‘Now she has turned on him again,’ screamed Alice.

Tom flinched. ‘She’s pushing him back towards the edge. I’ll shoot her.’

‘Better not shoot anyone,’ said a voice from behind them. ‘But you could go and help them.’

Tom and Alice turned to see an old man sitting out of sight on the rocks, watching.

Tom couldn’t believe it. ‘Help them fight?’ he asked

‘Add to the danger?’ screeched Alice.

‘They’re trying to kill each other,’ said Tom.

‘He’s trying to kill her,’ said Alice.

‘No, she tried to push him off,’ said Tom.

‘No, no, you got it all wrong,’ said the old man. He waved his hand to calm them and chuckled. ‘It’s all a matter of perspective.’ He laughed again. ‘Their pet dog fell off the cliff and they’re frantically working out how to rescue it.’