Thought for the day - February 18, 2001

Subject: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:52 AM

Lady of Pearls

A woman walked down a road in a dark night with few stars and little moonlight. She was clothed in long, flowing robelike garments, layered, as the night was also chill.

Down her face fell silent teardrops, luminescent on their own...turning into pearls as they fell to the ground. Each pearl which touched the earth instantly transformed into a small green plant with one, wide-open, four-petaled flower, which shone with a pearly sheen.

After walking in tearful silence most of the night, the woman felt the first warm ray of sunshine on her back, threw back her cloak, turned, upraised her arms and smiled. The tears were gone. She suddenly shimmered and disappeared in a burst of light.

That day, many folk came along the same road, each seeking the small illusive teardrop flowers left by the woman. Even though she had shed many tears, not all had met the ground, some had soaked into her clothing, so there were not many flowers. With the bright sunshine of the turn of the year they were also hard to espy, being shy with their ethereal beauty which came with the night.

A few people did find flowers, just as happened every year at this time. A small girl whose mother was gravely ill discovered one on the side of the road, in the shelter of a kindly tree. She silently said, "Thank you Lady Of Pearls," then bent over and gently picked the flower. Carefully she cradled it, brought it to her mother who opened her mouth to catch the drops of dew which ran from its center. Being pure of heart and intention, with great love for one another, the mother was instantly better and her daughter rejoiced.

Another person found another flower. This person was wealthy with many common pearls, gold, silver, and other gems. She felt as though she would never have enough, though, and had always coveted a teardrop pearl from the Lady. Furtively watching the other seekers, she scanned the side of the road. There! She spied one, caught in the hardpacked earth among the rubble of the roadway. Tugging at it with the eagerness of greed, she clutched it, hands shaking. Laughing with glee, she hungrily brought it to her lips and sucked the dew down.

At that instant she suddenly realised the warnings were true. She saw into her own heart and it was dark and small. She saw her life for the miserly way it was and knew she was doomed. For the next year, she would wander the darker realms of the night, reliving all of her evil deeds, feeling all of the pain and suffering she had caused others. One year from this day, she would be allowed to return for one night to walk the Road of Sorrow. If she was able to cry genuine tears, tears of pearls which would then help others of pure heart and condemn one of such evil as she had been, then she would be released into the Light and live forever in service to others.

© 2001 Kathleen LaFrance

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 01:09 AM

Thank you, kat. Reminds me that there is more than just my troubles..........that's been hard to do today.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 08:11 AM

Ah, Sorcha, I am sorry it's been troubling for you, lately. Thanks for your comments, darlin'...luvyakat

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: hesperis
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 11:38 AM

Beautiful! Thanks, kat.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 12:40 PM

Love it. Thanks, kat.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 01:43 PM

Thanks, very much. I appreciate your comments.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: Melani
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 01:45 PM

Wow. I am sending it to a friemd.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Feb 01 - 06:21 PM

Thanks, Melani, that is really sweet.

kat

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 18, 2001
From: Auxiris
Date: 22 Feb 01 - 11:04 AM

Took me a few days, but I finally got here. . . lovely story; thanks.

Aux