I self-published this fable in Dec. 2021. By self-published I mean I used cardstock paper, a hole- puncher, and some ribbon to gift a copy to a few friends and family. Aside from correcting a few grammatical errors and one additional quote (Mark 10), the text is as originally written. To keep the posts short and sweet, this short story is presented in parts. Enjoy!
“As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him…You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother. He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” —Mark 10:17-22 (NRSV)
“Incline your ear, and come to me; listen that you may live.”—Isaiah 55:3 (NRSV)
There once was a man who lived in a small village near the ocean. The man came from a poor family, but, as he had grown older, he learned to work hard. Eventually, the man made a substantial fortune, and he was no longer poor.
As time went on, the man decided he would take a wife. But he didn’t like any of the women in the village. It was rumored that the splendor of the women in the neighboring village was beyond compare. It was told that their bronze skin shimmered in the sun; they were dutiful and loyal; and they bore healthy, beautiful children. So, the man decided he would go to the village to get one of these women.
On the way to the neighboring village, he came upon a traveller whose horse had gone lame. The man, being a generally kind person, stopped to help. He assisted the traveller and offered him some of his lunch. The traveller graciously accepted, and, under a nearby copse of trees, they sat down to lunch.
As they broke bread, the traveller inquired where the man was headed. “I have decided to take a wife, and I am traveling to the neighboring village to find one. It is rumored that any man lucky enough to have one will want for nothing. And, now that I have done well for myself, I believe I should have the best wife there is.”
The traveller smiled. “Indeed. I’m sure you do, my friend. But, if you will permit me, I will give you but a bit of advice.”
“As you wish,” the man replied.
The traveller slightly bowed his head and continued, “It is true, sir, what you have heard. These women are astounding creatures and there are no others like them. Any one of them will bear you as many children as you desire, and they will be the most admired children in your village. Any one of them will serve you as a king, and you will receive service greater than any king in this land. Any one of them will be loyal, and you will find no greater friend or confidant.”
“You may not know, however, that any man who takes a wife from that village must have a pure heart. For these women glitter as they do because of a light within that repels all darkness of spirit.”
“There are stories that men who allowed themselves to be corrupted after taking one of these wives wound up in the most pitiable of circumstances. Unable to withstand the power of the light, the fallen man flees. But, upon fleeing, he is unable to forget the beauty of the light that once graced his presence. So, they roam, looking for distractions to drive out the memory to no avail. Most end up dead from drink or the many other perils that plague a man with such a life.”
“The only cure is to cast aside the darkness inside oneself. Some are successful, but many are not.”
The man, offended, said, “Traveller, out the kindness of my heart I gave of my time and the fruits of my labor to make you comfortable. There is no evidence of corruption in my spirit. Save your warnings, therefore, for such men as those.”
The traveller was unperturbed by the man’s rebuke. “My friend, I did not mean to offend you. You are, indeed, kind and most honorable, I am sure. I’m just an old man who likes to tell stories to anyone willing to give a moment of their time. Pray, forgive me and I will take care to put a stop to my stories as I see they are not welcome here.”
The man accepted the apology and agreed they should move off the subject. The rest of the meal, however, was spent mainly in silence. They soon parted ways with the traveller thanking the man again for his hospitality and begging his forgiveness, once more, for any discomfort he had caused.
Growing impatient and feeling as though he had extended more than the appropriate amount of kindness, the man politely (albeit hurriedly) accepted the old man’s thanks and apologies and wished the traveller well. The man reached the next village by nightfall and stopped at the local inn.
—End of Part 1—
