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| The Gift of the Gods |
It was a warm summer day when the gods placed it in her
hands. She trembled with emotion as she saw how fragile
it appeared. This was a very special gift the gods were
entrusting to her. A gift that would one day belong to
the world. Until then, they instructed her, she was to
be its guardian and protector. The woman said she
understood and reverently took it home, determined to
live up to the faith the gods had placed in her.
At first she barely let it out of her sight, protecting
it from anything she perceived to be harmful to its
well-being; watching with fear in her heart when it was
exposed to the environment outside of the sheltered cocoon
she had formed around it. But the woman began to realize
that she could not shelter it forever. It needed to learn
to survive the harsh elements in order to grow strong.
So with gentle care she gave it more space to grow...
enough to allow it to grow wild and untamed.
One day she became aware of how much the gift had changed.
It no longer had a look of vulnerability about it. Now it
seemed to glow with strength and steadiness, almost as if
it were developing a power within. Month after month she
watched as it became stronger and more powerful, and the
woman remembered her promise. She knew deep within her
heart that her time with the gift was nearing an end.
The inevitable day arrived when the gods came to take
the gift and present it to the world. The woman felt a
deep sadness, for she would miss its constant presence
in her life. With heartfelt gratitude she thanked the
gods for allowing her the privilege of watching over
the precious gift for so many years. Straightening her
shoulders, she stood proud, knowing that it was, indeed,
a very special gift. One that would add to the beauty
and essence of the world around it. And the mother let
her child go.
-- Renee R. Vroman |
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