Horace soared towards the sky at the edge of a beautiful meadow

a meandering river passed nearby and offered its’ sweet water often

it is not only a human characteristic to wish to be something different, other species suffer with the same discontent

so it was with Horace, who longed to roam the fields and meadows with the other creatures or to fly above the earth as the sparrows instead of being pegged to the ground, confined to this plot

his discontent was well known, therefore he had few friends, rarely did anyone stop to say ”hello.” and so it was

he greeted each morning with contempt and stretched higher and higher towards the sky in defiance

one afternoon a storm began to form over the meadow

the clouds raced together and the sky grew dark as night

the winds began to blow until they roared through the valley

animals scurried to find cover, smaller trees toppled and fell, blown to the ground

Horace was not afraid, his roots were deep and his massive arms moved very little in the howling winds

many animals that had found shelter were dislodged by the winds

there is no greater healing than the discovery of a purpose

Horace bellowed over the meadow” come unto me and find shelter, i will not fail you”

animals came from all directions, soon hundreds nestled under his massive boughs and around his enormous trunk

the storm lasted all through the night

the morning sun brought an eerie calm and exposed the destruction of the storm

many did not make it

the owl flew to a lower branch and everyone was quiet, he was an animal of few words, respected for his wisdom and understanding

he began ” we are lucky to be alive, let us remember those that were lost, we owe a debt of gratitude and respect to this giant that shielded and protected us”

the animals cheered and paraded around the trunk, Horace was overwhelmed

gathering himself he offered these words,”i have been dissatisfied with my circumstances, but that has changed………………………by offering comfort to you, you gave me purpose and solace that i could not find, i offer my limbs and branches for your nests and homes”

so it was………………the meadow was restored over time

but the beauty was in and around Horace

 

there is no greater healing for each of us, then to discover and accept a purpose