On Their Final Flight.....
They came in the evening, then, and found Jonathan gliding peaceful and alone through his beloved sky.
The two gulls that appeared at his wings were pure as starlight, and the glow from them was gentle and friendly in the high night air.
But most lovely of all was the skill with which they flew, their wingtips moving a precise and constant inch from his own.
Without a word, Jonathan put them to his test, a test that no
gull had ever passed.
He twisted his wings, slowed to a single mile per hour above stall. The two radiant birds slowed with him, smoothly, locked
in position. They knew about slow flying. He folded his wings, rolled and dropped in a dive to a hundred ninety
miles per hour. They dropped with him, streaking down in flawless formation.
At last he turned that speed straight up into a long vertical
slow-roll. They rolled with him, smiling.
He recovered to level flight and was quiet for a time before he
spoke. "Very well," he said, "who are you?"
"We're from your Flock, Jonathan. We are your brothers."
The words were strong and calm.
"We've come to take you higher, to take you home."
"Home I have none.
Flock I have none.
I am Outcast. And we fly now at the peak of the Great Mountain Wind. Beyond a few hundred feet, I can lift this old body no higher."
"But you can Jonathan. For you have learned. One school is finished, and the time has come for another to begin."
As it had shined across him all his life, so understanding lighted
that moment for Jonathan Seagull.
They were right.
He could fly higher, and it was time to go home.
He gave one last look across the sky, across that magnificent silver land where he had learned so much.
"I'm ready " he said at last.
And Jonathan Livingston Seagull rose with the two starbright gulls to disappear into a perfect dark sky.
From Jonathan Livingstone Seagull
by Richard Bach
With Tipsy's respect.