Intro: Pounding bass note and a stirring fanfare of horns. Welcome to another edition of things to think about. Here's Stacy. The horns continue with a keyboard note held.
Relaxing piano music is in the background. Welcome to the Things To Think About Podcast where we use fables and fairy tales to come to deeper truths about our subconscious world. I’m Stacy Casson and today’s tale explores how to keep going when you don’t want to be here. We will explore this topic in a tale I call, Be Still. And now, get comfortable and relax. Take a Deep Breathe in and exhale. A Deep Breath in, and exhale. Deep breath in and exhale. And if you'd like, you can slowly...close...your eyes.
There were so many balls to carry and no basket. She carefully picked them up, one by one, cradling them against her chest. She used her left arm as a makeshift basket; each ball making a delicate ‘chink’ sound as she nestled them in. They reflected all the colors of the forest in a mesmerizing array of greens and blue, but she couldn’t see them. She was focused on the path before her. “I’m so late,” she thought to herself and willed herself to go faster. She had to be careful because the forest floor was uneven. The balls rattled a warning, but it was too late. All of a sudden, everything was reduced to that moment in painstaking detail. The balls fell in horrifyingly slow motion and she felt the world upend and she heard the tinkling crash of the delicate glass pieces around her. She heard each distinct crash, a million accusations of her failure. Everything went quiet.
“Whoo whoo.” Slowly she came to and bolted upright. It was dark and she nearly retched as her head swam in pain. She must have hit it after tripping on that tree root. “Oh no no no no. What am I going to do?” she wailed to herself. Those balls would have fetched a high price at the market. She stood up gingerly and saw a pond lit by the reflection of the moon. She walked over and carefully rinsed off her hands and face. Then she sat next to the pond and sobbed without making a sound. “What shall I do? What shall I do?” Hundreds of scenarios ran through her head. She imagined herself destitute, the children begging for bread, dying of hunger, or freezing to death. Each thought sank her deeper and deeper into despair. “I don’t want to be here.” She knew she couldn’t give up, but how could she go on?
There were torches approaching. She froze. “May we share your pond fellow traveler?” Their colorful sequined robes sparkled in the moonlight as they neared. “Sister, we mean you no harm and are only passing through. Our village was burned, but we have each other so all is not lost.”
“Stay back!” she shouted. “I mean, be careful! There is broken glass all around” she warned.
“We are wearing sandals,” they sang back. “No harm will come to us.” True to their word, they filled their waterskins and continued on their way. She was alone. “I am alone” she sobbed.
She resolved to not move from this spot until THEY spoke to her. Her friends were guided by the presence of THEM but she never heard THEM speak. She heard the owl again, the rustling leaves, crickets chirping, and the wind. They provided no answers. “Speak to me!” she pleaded. “Tell me what to do.” Again, she sat still, straining her ears. “Rest, lay your head down.” That was what she wanted to hear. “No,” she told herself, “I do a poor job of running my life. I break everything I touch.” She did not realize that she had fallen asleep. “I am here.” She stirred awake. “I don’t see you!” she cried. “I have not yet come forth” it replied. She leaned her ear closer to the ground. “You planted a seed; I am putting down roots. What fruit will you bear? Your tears and pain watered me, but I shall not bear fruit for some time. You must continue your journey. Come back and reap my fruit.” She was still unsure, but she rinsed away her dried tears, stood up, and took a step forward.
This ends our story for today. What will our traveler find on her journey? Who will she meet? She chose to continue her story, and so can you. And now, you can take a deep breath in and exhale. A deep breath in and exhale. Deep breath in, and exhale. And when you're ready, wiggle your toes, wiggle your fingers, and slowly open your eyes. If you are enjoying this podcast, please subscribe and never miss an episode.
Closing: Closing jazzy keyboard and thrumming bass. Hope you enjoyed today's segment. Tell a friend. See you next time. Music fades.
