Ten Little Virgins

"Bring the next basket here," Fern pointed the spot to her sister.

"Don't we have enough now?" Iris carried the container to the base of the tree.

It was Saturday and that was the day that everyone gathered fruit for jam. Tomorrow the Master was coming and He loved the fruit that the women bore and the homemade preserves.

All morning long the ladies were to gather the fruit and in the afternoon, they would fill their jars. "Please peel the fruit," called Daisy to Blossom, but it was always the same response. "Don't we have enough, yet?"

So at the end of the day it was discovered that five of the women asked their sisters to share their jam with them. Their kind sisters were happy to lend.

Sunday was always full of fun. The Master came with his arms full of gifts, new dresses and sun bonnets, pretty dinner goblets and flower vases. The Master was their provider. He was responsible for them and He cared for them well.

I have another place, a place very different from here, though this place is nice, this new place is better. The sun always shines and the work is never hard. "One day my Son will come and marry you all, He will take you all away, away to my wonderful new place.

He would sit in the big chair in the great room and all the girls would sit at His feet. They would make him sandwiches and vegetable soup, then butter cookies with jam or flaky crust pies. They loved the Master.

"When will he come?" asked Jasmine and Tulip.

"He will come very soon," replied the Master, "so always be ready."

"How will we know He is coming?" questioned Lilly and Clover.

"You will hear Him coming with a shout. A cry will be made and if you look you will see the signs. He will come on a great white horse. You will know when, if you are wise. Always have oil for your lamps because when He comes you will not want to be in the dark. When He comes you will want to be in the light.

Every Sunday when the Master left to go home, He would always remind them, "Live in the light. Always keep you lamps burning." Five ladies would kiss Him and Praise Him and the they would each discover a day's measure of new oil in their vessels, left in secret by His marvelous powers.

Monday was shopping day and the women spent the whole day at marketplace. First they would sell their goods then they would shop. Many times five of the ladies did not have enough of their homemade goods to sell, so for that week they lived without their lamps lit.

"Without the oil you live in the dark," said Violette. You must close your door for we each have separate bedrooms and if the bridegroom comes you will not see, don't forget to make your light.

"Yes, I know," remarked her sister Rose, "without the oil we have no light. We know, we know, but we are unafraid because we will hear the Master's Son coming and we will buy our oil then."

Five playful sisters did not worry. Neither did the five that worked.

Tuesday was they day to wash. All the sisters gathered their clothes, they went to the river by the water fall. First they swam and bathed, but as the long shadows fell on the weeping willow tree, they knew the time was short and their work had to be done. Fern, Daisy, Jasmine, Lillie and Violette didn't mind grabbing their sisters clothes and scrubbing them along with their own. They understood their fun, it wasn't much more to do.

Wednesday was studies, must learn the word. Thursdays brought cleaning, out with the dirt. Friday was fishing, catching to fry. Saturdays more fruit to place in the pies.

Sometimes dear Iris and Blossom would complain with sister Tulip and the others as well, Clover and Rose who sighed, all joined in the pain. Oh how they loved the pleasures of life and hated the toil of efforts and strain.

Saturdays were sunny and full of delight, the butterflies fluttered and blue birds glowed bright. It was not time for working, it was just right for play. So five sisters frolicked and five worked the day.

Sunday came with its love fresh in bloom.The Master came as always and banished the gloom.

So as He kissed each one and looked into their eyes, He warned them again. "The time is so soon you must not forget you need light to see. Five of the ladies gave Him their kisses back as the others played long and hard into the night.

Though there was lots of work it all seemed to get done so the ones that liked fun continued. Nothing changed whether they did the work or the others, all seemed the same. The Sisters that were cautious often warned to the five but was as usual. "We are listening, we are watching, we will all see the signs."

So as both playing and working take lots of energy the little cottage's inhabitants were sound asleep. Each one deep inside their own room , thick comforters pulled up tight over peaceful rest. The golden glow of work oil shone softly on five of the little virgins. The ones who earned their rest, the ones who passed the test.

All were right about the signs and the call, from far away it could be heard, invading their dreams ever so slightly, like a water drop permeates a spot of cloth. Gently covering it awakened them. Five walked to the window unfettered, five stumbled to the sound.

The dust from his steed could be seen whirling in the moonglow. The glistening white horse threw its mane back and forth, stamping the ground, it neighed. Its midnight rider shouted triumphantly, in victory. "I have come to claim my waiting bride, come on, faithful few."

The five in darkness crawled forth to the light, "Please share your oil, sisters please! Tonight we will work and tomorrow we will buy."

Tears welled in the big eyes of the sisters sweet, "Sorry, my dears, but we cannot share our oil with you and have enough for ourselves. Now it is too late and we must all meet our fate. 'The Spirit Oil of Light' is something we all must make on our own."

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Contributed by Marjeana Martin
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