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Simple Wisdom ~ Hadiya Olwyn ~ An older woman sits, rocking gently before the crackling fire, a simple quilt across her lap as she watches the flames leap and play. She smiles down at you from between her white streaked braids of palest gold. Kindly wrinkles crease her eyes and frame her face as she settles a light shawl over her wide shoulders.

"I was not always so you know, oh I could tell you stories. Some would curdle your blood, others gift you wings of moonlight." The room is warm and comfortable, scented with honeysuckle and just-baked bread. "Ah, but who wishes to hear a story to chill their heart? This is not a night for such dark tales, it is a time of warmth and friendship, a time for gathering close those whom you hold dear. And do hold them, cling to them and tell them how important they are to you, for you never know when fate might snatch them away.." Her eyes grow wistful and return to the fire, her golden eyes and intricate pattern across her cheeks sparkling with its reflected light.

Abruptly the woman smiles and she begins to speak, her voice stronger than before, as though a much younger woman were speaking through her. "Always has this world been plagued by dark days. Dark forces, dark men and dark thoughts lurk. It is for folk like us to cling to what our hearts know to be true. To foster light and happiness in all ways, to aid our neighbor and to share what bounty we have with those in need. Most folk think to fight darkness you need yet more darkness, but this is not true. It is the little things that win this world for light's right path." Her golden eyes blink in the firelight and sweep back to her meagre audience, hawklike as they had not been before. "It is after all, the smallest seeds that become the greatest forest giants. And it is they who stand firm through frost and gale to shelter their smaller fellows." Her eyes turn wistful again and her tone takes on a soulful quality. "BE Those Trees.. Become strong because others need your strength. Not to best your fellows. Become clever because there are others in dire straights who cannot solve their troubles. Not so that you can earn more than you need to live. Become wise.. because there is always a need for wisdom, and with wisdom comes an understanding of one's place in the world. Then take that wisdom and use it! Use it to make a difference in this place. Be a light for others to follow, a beacon in a dark place full of dark men. Because oh there is so much need for you all.. So much need for Light."