There once was a man whose heart was as cold as steel. He had nothing but hatred in his heart for all that the
Great Spirit placed on this earth. One day he went out for a walk, when he came upon a rich green meadow adorned with many
beautiful wild flowers. He looked out at these flowers and said to himself. I hate the flowers that grow here. So
he decided to pick every flower that he could see. It took him many days, but he picked every flower. When he was done
, he looked over at his deed and laughed.
All that remained upon the land was a lush green carpet of grass that danced
as the wind blew across the blades. Once again this man looked at the beauty and was not happy and said to himself, I
will rip every blade of grass out until there is nothing left but the bare ground. So the man went to work
and ripped and torn every blade of grass that was blowing in the gentle breeze. Again it took him many days to destroy
the beauty of the land. When the man saw what he had done he stood there and laughed out loud at what he had done and
was pleased with himself.
Delighted now with his deed, the man went for a walk. He continued walking until he came upon a forest where many trees stood. The
branches of the trees were full and they swayed back and forth with the gentle wind. Within the branches, the birds had built
their homes and the woodland was filled with the sweet sound of their voices. The man could not stand to look at the
beauty and enjoy the harmony that lived there. He looked at the trees and said to himself,I will cut every tree that grows here and no longer will they be in my way, and I won't have to listen to that noise
from those birds. How I hate them so. So the man went to work and destroyed all the trees that grew there;
and because of this, the birds and all the animals left. Only silence remained. The man went away happy with
what he had done.
Now there was a young maiden who this man knew and he wanted her for his wife, but she
told him, " Go and pick me some wildflowers for I love their frangrance so. It will remind me always how sweet
our love will be. " Then young girl gave him her cow and said, " Take her to the
meadows and let her eat on the grass that grows there, then I will make for you sweet butter from her cream."
Next the young maid said to him , " I will be your wife, if you build a strong house from
the trees that grow in the forest. If you do this then I will know that your love for me is as solid as those
trees."
The man coul not speak or tell her what he had done. but quickly ran back to where
the meadow once was. The ground was cold and bare. He fell upon his knees in shame and cried out," and said,
" Great Spirit , Father of all that lives here, what have I done. I have destroyed all that
you have given me and by doing so I have destroyed myself. Help me."
The man wept for many days and the Great Spirit heard his pleas and took pity upon
the man.
Beneath the man's feet the grass began to appear. Upon this grass the flowers opened their
blooms and their fragrance filled the air. The humbled man lifted his head as he watched the birds
fly above him. They landed on a branch of a tree growing nearby.
From that day on the man promised never to destroy any living thing. He also learned how much he was a
part of this cirlce of life. He wiped his eyes and went back and married the young maid . They lived forever
protecting the life that was all around them.
Why must man wait until all life is destroyed before he realizes what he is doing. By destroying his world
around him he is also destroying himself...Live in harmony and be one with the land....b.w.w.
Someday my soul shall take flight
from this earthly entrapment, though
I will still live...
In the rays of the morning sun
In the wind that touches your hair
In the voices of the birds
In the trees, in rocks, and rivers and sky
In all things I will continue to live.
Hear the words I speak, for
The earth and I are one...b.w.w.
This story and many more can be found in my book Through My Eyes: A Collection of Short Stories, Essays and Verse... available
now at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.
Please click on the link Just Published for more information.... I thank you.