An Oyster's Story - a Parable for all Times

[thoughts from    ~a burning woman~   Sha’Tara]

Once, in the great "All That Is" an oyster became aware of itself and found a voice.  It called to Creator and said:

"I desire to do something great, out of the ordinary."

"What would that be?" graciously asks Creator.

"I don't know!" sadly replies the oyster.  "I'm just an oyster."

"Yes, that is what you are.  Let me see: I could give you a task to perform that would set you apart."

"Yes!" replies she, eagerly.  "Please give me that task."

"I will give you a grain of sand to carry for me.  You will carry it for the rest of your life."

The oyster did not want to admit her disappointment at being given such a lowly task, so accepts, though less than gratefully.

As time passes, the oyster feels increasing pain inside.  Every day becomes more and more difficult for her.  She doesn't know it is the grain of sand that is causing her pain.  She cries out to Creator,  "I cannot go on like this, it is too painful."

"Ah, but you asked for a task that would set you apart and that's what you got, being an oyster.  There wasn't much else I could give you..."

"Oh.  How long must this pain last before I become, well, you know, set apart?"

"Not much longer and you will be set apart.  You see, the grain of sand that you accepted to carry has turned into something quite beautiful and valuable.  But its beauty and value cannot be known until you are killed and it is taken from you."

The oyster was quite shocked to hear this.  "I have to die to become set apart?"

"Yes, of course."

"Why did you not tell me this in the beginning?"

"Because you would still have accepted the task, and likely filled yourself with pride in the knowledge that you were sacrificing yourself for this thing.  Then it would have been for naught." 

"But at least, this wonderful thing I carry inside myself will be of great benefit to my race?"

"I'm afraid not.  Creatures you have never seen and cannot communicate with; who care nothing for you or your people, will come upon you and kill many of you to find this thing you carry.  You will die the same death as all your people in this oyster bed.  Everyone of you will die because you carry this thing they greatly value.  But what you carry within you is of no value to you or yours.  That is the mystery of it, dear oyster, but not the end of your story.” 

With a voice filled with sorrow, she says: "It is not the end?  I and my family, friends, neighbors, everybody, are killed for something I grew inside myself, yet is of no value, in fact, is going to be the cause of our death?  If that is not the end, what is then?"

"For all of you, a new beginning."

"But what of those who will kill us to get this treasure?"

"Their end will be sad.  They will have to abandon their stolen treasure but they will still hunger for it.  That which they wanted most will not be given to them until they learn to create their own treasure, instead of killing others for it.  It is a long and pain-filled road, but your sacrifice will help them to realize their mistake, should they so choose, in the mists of future time."

"It seems so very complicated, strange and terrible a fate..." mumbles the oyster.  "Why?"

And Creator sadly replies: "That is the one question I cannot answer."