The valley was rich and beautiful - a safe haven where no one knew want. The family
worried over the newest little one - smaller and daintier than the rest. The family
named her Light. She was adored by everyone, so graceful as she ascended the high
branches, so quick and bright. The rest of the family all wanted to do for her - when
night fell wanted to nest near her nest. But she was surrounded by love - by friends,
so they felt she was safe. Nurtured thus she grew, and because she was shown only
love she grew to love everyone and she could find good in and a reason to love
everyone she met.
Her open heart became a cause for concern as she grew and became more
independent. She was as happy to keep company with all the inhabitants of the valley.
Although none could bring themselves to chide her they tried subtly to ease her
away from some in the valley. Wouldn't she rather keep company with this one
who was popular and attractive and smart rather than those who filled a place but
were on the edges - the slow, the less attractive, the ones no one else would keep
company with. When asked she simply pointed out their virtues and seeing they
could not sway her, the family shook their heads and worried. Over time the family
accepted that they would not sway her feelings - and accepted that she would spend
her days content in the company of whom she chose.
One morning the valley woke to a strange dawn - the sun should be up but it was
dark as night and the gentle breeze blew harshly through the trees. Few in the valley
had ever seen a storm. Few in the valley understood real danger. As the day
progressed the rains started - becoming increasingly torrential. Soon water ran over
the ground swiftly, then smaller plants and pebbles flowed with the water, and
finally even larger plants began to loose their hold and the waters flowed with all
manner of plants, small rocks and mud. Areas on the sides of the valley began to
flow with mud. High in the trees the inhabitants of the valley looked on in fear and
amazement and tried to shelter from the elements. A strong gust and a jarring of a
larger rock hitting the tree she sheltered in sent Light plummeting down into the
dark muddy waters. The current was swift and she could not catch a strong grip to
anything as she was carried farther and farther from safety.
Light called out to her friends - surely they would see her plight and help - but
one by one they watched and turned away - they would loose their safe place, they
would get wet, Light would get mud on them - each had an excuse - a reason, and
the muddy waters carried Light farther on from safety.
As Light fought the elements her mind drifted - back to happy times when the
valley was a safe place, back to when she had thought everyone was her friend.
She began to allow as the elements would win - and to give up. Her mind began to
drift and take her to another place away from the mud and the pain each time she
struck an object or one struck her. Suddenly she felt she was floating - then she
realized that she was being lifted.
As the fog in her mind cleared she looked at her rescuers - two she had been
advised to allow to keep to their own. As she looked at them it was clear they had
followed the entire time, trying to race the waters. The race had been as hard on
them as the waters had been on her, the wind had lashed them with the branches
they raced through and the rains had soaked them so they were wet and cold. But
they had endured, and in doing so had saved her. She was amazed as these were two
she had spent little time with as they often kept to themselves. As her strength
returned she finally asked them why. Why when her other friends would not help
had they, putting themselves in danger to do so? Because, they answered, You are
our friend.
The worth of a friend is seen in deeds done when times are hard - it's easy to stand beside someone when the sun shines upon them.
