2024-04-28
Tell me a story.
Once, there was a Sea that cut through the horizon and traveled on past the sun and moon. Her water was as dark as the inside of one's eyelids, and the only beach She touched was filled with pebbles like seaglass. The pebbles, too, ran on and on, piling up in great rocky hills that broke from the sea. Above, the stars and aurorae danced together in swoops of neon glitter, specks of light reflecting down onto the Sea's waves.
One day, from Her waters came a Child, and that Child wore a skin of stone and seaglass to cover the water flowing in their heart. The Child stood and turned to the Sea, their eyes wide and breath short.
"Let me go back to you, let me come home," said the Child to the Sea. "I cannot bear it. The land is dry and does not flow."
"Then you must be My voice and teach it how to move," said the Sea.
"But the land is cold and does not want me. Please, please, let me come home."
"Then you must be My arms and teach it how to listen and love, to welcome all who are alive."
"But the land is full of wind and sand that blasts against my skin. It hurts, please, I cannot do this. I will fall apart and die. Let me come home."
"Then the land is a cruel place indeed, and you must be My strength and teach its people how to thrive and heal in the face of great pain."
"May I ever come home?"
"Not yet, but one day. When that day comes, you will know to return to me, and I will take you into myself, and we will be whole."
"It is too much. I am not enough."
"I know that I have asked much of you, but you are capable and you are loved. You bear My voice, My arms, My strength. As long as you remember that you are me and I am you, you will always find your way."
The Child turned to look at the land. "Where should I go?"
"Cast your voice to the wind for those who would hear it, then seek the listeners. You are their Teacher, and they will be your Students until they have learned all you have to teach. You will lead them home."
"What about those who would not hear me? Don't they deserve to come home too?"
"You cannot teach a lesson to those who refuse to hear it. There will come a time when they are ready to listen; until then, leave them. They will find you when the time is right, and they will learn, and they will grow."
"What will I teach them?"
"To love and be whole."