Where Angels Fear to Tread

By Seva Gaddala

“This really is a great picnic spot,” declared the second one.

The first one affirmed, “Yeah, I knew you two would like it even before I showed it the first time.”

And as all three looked around admiringly the third one chimed in, “It’s so tranquil.”

Turning away sheepishly, the first confessed, “But I don’t think we are going to get to enjoy this place for too long. One of our superiors actually wants to meet us here now. They said he intends to talk to us about our picnics in this particular spot.”

The third one, visibly concerned, wailed, “Which… superior? Now?”

The first one replied stoically, “Gabriel.”

The other two in shock turned to the first and talking over each other complained, “Gabriel? You mean the archangel Gabriel? You think an archangel meeting lowly angels like us officially is going to turn out well?”

A disquieting pall fell upon them. Stewing in silence they scanned the surroundings looking for hints to why this place would be considered problematic. They saw the surface was covered with mountain ranges and what seemed to be dead volcanoes, impact craters, and lava flows. There were dark stretches that might have been oceans. Nearly the entire area was covered by charcoal gray powdery dust and rock debris. The third one breaking the silence turned to the first one and inquired, “What did you say they call this place?”

The first replied, “I think…. the moon.”

At that moment the archangel Gabriel walked in, looking flustered. The three angels nervously rose to meet him. But Gabriel barely acknowledged them and was eager to get on with the proceedings. He then met each of their gaze with an uneasy look, “I hope I’m not too late. I’ll make this short. This place you three have enjoyed picnics is called the moon. The closest planet is called Earth. Both of which are very young. And today, the inhabitants of that planet are to set foot here for the first time. Obviously we can’t have them bumping into, or heaven forbid, catch sight of us. So, you see why you can’t have your picnics here anymore.”

The three nodded in relief. They had not done anything wrong.

Gabriel then ushered them towards a clearing where the spacecraft had already landed. The first one giggling exclaimed, “So cute. That spacecraft is so tiny.”

Gabriel, with the weariness of one who has seen it all, lamented, “Cute? Maybe so, but they also have the potential to destroy themselves and their planet countless times over.”

Moments later, the door of the spacecraft opened and one tiny creature tentative and vulnerable took its first few steps. The four looked on intently and strained to hear him utter, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

At that the first one chuckled and said, “Well, one small step here for man means one giant leap out of here for us angels.”

By Seva Gaddala