The Shadow Knows
It’s hard being someone’s shadow. First of all, you never know where or when you are going to show up. Sometimes you follow the person you’re shadowing, which makes sense since that is what shadowing means. But sometimes you are moving side by side and other times you are leading the one you are “Shadowing’” Shouldn’t you be called a “leader” then?
And then of course there’s the size issue. Are you smaller or taller than your object or person? Are you long and thin or short and fat? A mirror doesn’t do that. But listed on your shadow job application and requirements are flexibility and adaptability. Also on the application is the requirement of stick-to-itiveness. Where ever your object goes, so must you. They may be standing still or running or digging a ditch and you have to follow their every movement. Even if they don’t work at all, you must always move, change size, shape, position. Our boss “Light” is a demanding one.
The only breaks you are allowed are at noon when the sun is directly over your assignment’s head, if it is dark, or if your boss is just too lazy to shine.
A shadow should be a well-respected entity. We are everywhere and provide a lot of comfort at times. Ask anyone sitting under a tree on a hot sunny day. We cool you down. That may be the only time we get any appreciation.
We live in a colorful world. Beautiful flowers and sky, and oceans… you name it. So considering all of the colors available and how important we are you would think shadows would be the most colorful. But no, it’s monochrome for us. How boring. No wonder no one thinks highly of us.
I mean, they even use us to make pictures. Get a strong light in a dark room and someone will put up their hands and make a dog or bird, show up on the wall. They think they’re so cool. They just have to fold their hands up, we do all the work.
Life as a shadow could be an exciting thing. It would be great if all of us shadows got together and formed a shadow union. But alas, that is forbidden in our contract. If we ever do unionize, I hope the first thing on the agenda is to give us a voice, since we are only seen and not heard. I guess that’s where the proverb came from.
Hopefully, those of you that read this will now have a better understanding of our plight. You should stand still for a while and watch us work. A little applause once in a while wouldn’t hurt. And if you position yourself just right, you’ll even see us give you applause back.
