Once upon a time, there were two friends.
They shared everything together. The sunshine, the raindrops,
smiles, tears, giggles, and play. They would race up and down
the mountain and climb tall trees overlooking the shimmering
lakes below.
Words were spoken easily and trust was understood. One knew
the other's thoughts before they were even spoken. There was
a close bond.
One day, a group of new young people arrived at the village. They
had fine clothes and spoke about far away places. The two
friends did not pay much attention to the new young people
because they had one another. Until one day, the group
approached one of the two and spoke in secret.
"Come over here", one whispered. "Why do you want to spend all
of your time with that person? We have travelled all over the world!
Look how we dress! Are you not curious about the world? Do you
really want to stay in this small corner of the world your whole life?"
This made the one friend wonder about the other.
One never notices the whole world until the challenge
to look beyond yourself arrives. For each day that the two
friends races up and down the mountaintop during the next
few days, one of the friends became less and less enchanted
with the other's company.
Each day, the one friend was approached by the group of
new comers and given a new piece of information about his
friend. Being naive, the friend trusted the newcomers word. Not
to ask why or how come, but just to take the word over the deed.
And each day the words got meaner and meaner. The truth
was twisted into a vicious lie. Until the one friend could
stand it no longer. And shouted
"Stop! How can this be true ? How do you know? ", the friend
challenged the group.
"We are better than you because we have been to more places!
Look how we are dressed and the money in our pockets! You
are simple minded. Come join us and you will be better than your
friend!"
"No, I will not join you!! You are not better than my friend. My friend
has stood by me when I was sick and well. My friend does not
care how much money I have in my pocket but would share
if I needed some. My friend would not slander me as you have
slandered him!"
He is my friend because he accepts me as I am. It matters not
where I live.
My friend waits for me at the mountaintop. Each day is new
and different. Kindness and forgiveness are our treasures, not
money! Follow me to the top of the mountain.
"You will see."
The trail to the mountaintop was steep and slippery. Many of
the newcomers tried to walk up the trail but fell and gave up
easily. Only a few made it to the top of the mountain. The
Ones below shout
"What fools you are to believe those silly little friends. What do they
know? We are better!"
The two friends met and embrace. The few that made it to the
top of the mountain watched with skepticism.
"Watch". said the friend.
The friend take a feather pillow and a knife. And pierced the feather
pillow with the knife. Feathers flew to the East, the West, the North,
the South. The Wind taking the feathers to each direction.
"Now, see the feathers fly? The feathers are the true words. One kind
heart shares the truth with you in good faith. You want to feel
superior to them so you twist that truth, almost like the wind
takes the feathers in each direction. You share your version of
that truth with one, then another tells another adding their
own exaggeration or twist and it swirls around like a dance
of lies.
A true friend would not ever lie or question your words. Trust
would be your bond. One accepts the other just the way
they are and words flow like water between the two.
Words or no words the understanding is the truth. The bond
of friendship comes from the heart and soul of you. It
matters not where you live or the clothes on your back
or the money in your pocket.
The feather pillow tells the tale of truth
or lies. The truth will
set you free....
Friends are forever ....
