The Mouse and the Light

In the beginning of the world, the Creator of all things made the light and the darkness. When the sun shone down upon the land, it created shade so that creatures great and small might find a cool place in which to rest.

In the center of the most beautiful garden in the world stood the greatest of all trees, the Tree of Wisdom. From this great tree there grew many branches, leaves and many roots spread throughout the land.

The tree was a place of comfort and creatures would often come to it and sit in its shade and feel its great truths.For many years there was harmony, until one day a shade from one, long, branch decided that it was not happy with its lot in life. The shade did not care to give comfort or shelter. It did not like being stretched across the ground beneath the great tree."Fools!" spat the shade, as it looked at all those who flocked to the Tree of Wisdom. "I know more than any of them. I am not made to serve. I am made to be worshipped."And so it was that, in pride and hatred, the shade tugged and pulled and stretched itself until at last it was able to break its attachment to the great tree. It became the first shadow. The Shadow of Doubt.Instead of using its power to give shade, it created a cold darkness that blinded all those it touched. Instead of using its subtle voice to impart great truths to those around it, the shadow spoke only an imitation, a dark silhouette of the great truths.

The shadow crept away from the Tree of Wisdom and drifted far into the desert where it crawled into a hole in the sand. It sank deep into the sands, above which no trees grew and no true shade could be found for many a mile.

From its place deep in the sand, the shadow grew and plotted. It would wait beneath the surface until a creature crossed over the sand. It waited for one in doubt or suffering from sadness or fear. Then would the shadow slip between the grains and overtake the unsuspecting creature and blind and bend it to the shadow's will.

Over many years and many more miles, the shadow created an underground army. Then the army of the shadow began to strike without warning. The shadows would spring from the ground or pounce from the sky, striking a dark, cold, terror into the hearts of other innocent creatures. Everyone it touched began to doubt all they believed to be true and right.

"The Creator has sent me to destroy all those who do not join with me," it whispered in a cold breath that froze the blood of living things. "You cannot fight the Creator. I will win through that greatest of all powers."

Some began to hide and fear the very light of day, for they thought that it was the cause of the shadow. Others began to hate and fear all the shades of the world, not being able to tell the difference between shade and shadow. They began to believe the cold whispers in the night.They named the shadow Osama, which meant "The Cold One." It came to pass that creatures began to feel anger toward the Creator of all things.

One day, a field mouse went to the Tree of Wisdom, shook its small fist and shouted, "How could you create such a scourge upon us? Why is this allowed to continue? Where is the Creator?"

The great tree bent as if the weight of all creation bowed its great frame. It shook and leaves fell like tears, but it did not answer.Then a voice spoke from all around, "I created light and darkness. I created creatures great and small. To one and all I gave the power to build or destroy, bring joy or pain. One among you has chosen darkness and pain. This is not my wish for my creation."

Though dazzled by being in the presence of the Creator the Mouse was still angry. "Why do you not stop Osama?" cried the Mouse.

"Because I have given that power to those the shadow creature harms.

Osama has grown through the lack of will and vigilance in creatures. Now it is your job to stop it," the Creator answered.

Then the Creator told Mouse the story of how the shadow had broken from the great tree to take a new and terrible path.

"I will tell you this," The Creator said, "To be rid of darkness - shine a powerful light of truth. To be rid or cold - bring only warmth wherever you go. Kindle the fire of strength that is within each of you and the cold and dark cannot survive."

The Mouse thought and thought. Then it answered, "I will go out and tell the others the truth. They will know that Osama was made by the Creator, but is not doing a greater will, only its own. I will not hate, for hate is a tool of the shadow. I will teach others to bring only warmth of spirit with them so as not to be added to the growing chill."

Then Mouse hesitated and said humbly, "But I am only one small being and the shadows are now many. How can I ever hope to succeed?"

Suddenly, Mouse was surrounded in a beautiful golden light and warmth, "You will remember this moment. You will know that as the shadow began with one small dark being that was not driven by me. Now, the light will grow with you, my messenger."

So it was that one tiny creature set out into the world. With every word it spoke, every place its footstep marked the land, and every ripple it made upon the water, creation and the spirits of those it touched healed.

The shadows faded. Osama sank back into its hole in the desert, for as its followers fell before the mouse and the light. The shadow power shrank away and vanished like drops of water in the burning sands of time.

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Contributed by Lisa Suhay suhays@comcast.net(Copyright (c) Lisa Suhay)
Lisa Suhay lives in Southern New Jersey. She is a correspondent for theNew York Times, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and her books include"Tell Me a Story" life-lesson fables, available fromParaclete Press.Visit the author's site.