The healer gripped her staff, feeling the familiar callouses on her fingers and palms. It was a simple wooden staff, not unlike a shepherd’s. But through it she had worked miracles for decades.
Now the years fell heavily upon her. Joints ached and her callused hands hurt. The staff had gone from a tool to her support.
In her travels, she’d cured the sick, and made the injured whole again. But she’d never been able to heal herself.
But she was not alone. Her companions and grateful friends returned to care for her as she had once cared for them.

“Walking stick” by Andrei! is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2025 by Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.