"Lie down, Child, stretch yourself out; you need to
sleep."
"I don't want to lie down and sleep, Prophet. I'm not
tired."
"Did you enjoy dinner?"
"Sure did, and now I've got to make sure Mr. Whale
eats something."
"So you've found a new friend in the whale?"
"Yes, you should have seen him, Prophet. He was
glorious in battle. Every time I said jump, he would buck so high over the
waves and make a big dive downward and land on the ocean," The Child said
excitedly.
"And as soon as you lie down, he'll eat," said
The Prophet.
"But I don't want to lie down, Prophet. I'm not tired."
"Don't you love to sleep on your lily pad?"
"I do, when I'm tired," The Child said, and she
stifled a yawn.
"What are you afraid of Child?"
"How long will you stay with me, Prophet?
"I'm never far from you."
"But sometimes I feel like you are so far away."
"Why's that?"
"Because I feel empty and alone."
"Oh my dear Child, the path you've chosen is not
easy. That's why I am never far from you."
"Which means?"
"You're never alone. So, lie down before the fire and
sleep."
Assured by what The Prophet said, the Child snuggled close
to the fire, and the sea lilies crawled up onto the lily pad and twined
together as a pillow for the Child to lay her head.
"Shall I tell you the story of courage?"
"Oh yes, Prophet. I love to hear your stories."
"Once upon a time, there was a Child with a dream…"
The Prophet began.
The Child's breathing slowed, her eyelids closed, and she surrendered
to sleep.
Shalom,
Pat Garcia
