At the Feet of an Old Woman
An original fairytale
This is the story of my journey to seek wisdom.
I sought first at the gates of a great cathedral. With such
trepidation did I enter that place! Its high ceilings dwarfed
me, its still, cool air wrapped silence around me. The light
was dappled where I entered, changed to many colours by the
beautiful windows.
I sat on the cool wooden pew, waiting for wisdom to come. But
there was only silence.
So I journeyed out into the desert. I journeyed for days, for
so long that I thought that I would never reach my
destination. I walked across burning sand, scorching my feet,
dehydrating my body. I experienced every deprivation, emptied
out every deep part of myself.
And when I reached the heart of the desert, I waited for
wisdom to come. But there was only silence.
Next, I journeyed to the courts of the king. Everything there
was rich, and everybody beautiful. I tasted the finest of
fine things, and slept in the softest bed. All was colour and
light and sound.
In the evening, I climbed up to the top of the highest tower
in the castle, and waited for wisdom to come. But there was
only silence.
In desperation, I journeyed across the ocean. The sea was
calm, blue. There was a constant music, the lapping of waves
against the boat, the soft breeze around my face. I listened
to this music, and allowed my thoughts to harmonise with it.
And I thought, surely there must be wisdom in this. But there
was only silence.
Many other places I journeyed, and many other places I sought.
Finally, worn out from travelling, I came to a house. An old
woman sat outside tending her fire. I went and sat at her
feet, looking into her wise eyes, and I asked her to help me.
"Do not seek wisdom any more," she told me. "Seek life - live
the life you have been given. Love those near to you, help
those who need you, lean on those who support you. And wisdom
will find you."
And so I journeyed home, and began to live my life, to share
it with others. And, to my surprise, I discovered that wisdom
had come to dwell in my heart.
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