Stones
Page 1, Stones, Winds and Life

The old man paused to rest by the street. He had taken this trip each day up the hill from the market place to his cottage on the crest of the hill. Today was
different, however. His spirit was burdened.
As he reflected out on the view of the sea, he heard a voice,
“Your footsteps are very heavy today.”

He looked around.

“I said your footsteps are very heavy today.”

Again he looked around. Right, left, to the archway of the building behind him.
He saw no one close.

“I said your footsteps are heavier today than usual.”

Now with that the man leaped to his feet and looked all around. No one in the windows above, no one near. “This is not a day for jokes or trickery,” he explained, still looking around.

“I know, your footsteps tell me that,” was the answer.

“Where are you? Who are you?” asked the old man.

“You’re standing on me,” was the reply.

“Very funny,” spoke the old man.

“No really, you are. I’m part of the earth. I am the spirit of these granite cobblestones. I’m still of the earth, you see, just moved from my original location. My powers are still very much intact, however.”

“Why are you speaking with me?” asked the old one.

“Because you are very burdened today, your feet are heavy like stone, your spirit is but a flicker,” was the reply.

“That is true. It is a sad day,” the old man said.

“It’s about the children or young ones, isn’t it?”

“Yes, you are right. Many more are joining the legions and going off to war,”
said the old man.

“And they won’t all be coming back, will they?” was the reply.

“No, they won’t. And those who do will most likely be crippled in body or crippled in the mind,” said the old man.

CONTINUE >

|| CLOSE WINDOW ||

© 2003, David Sweet. All Rights Reserved.