IT ALL BEGAN WITH FLOWERS
By
-Daniel-
©
Though we be apart,
we are but a heartbeat away.
I have come to share a Truth
upon this blessed day.
And it all began with flowers...
There once were two families living in harmony
upon the same land;
one...
a family of shepherds,
the other,
tillers of the earth,
living side by side in friendship and in peace.
And there came a day that the shepherd went to visit his
neighbor to pass the time of day,
but during the course of their conversation did the shepherd's
dog tear to shreds the tiller's beautiful flower garden.
In his anger did the tiller kick the dog,
causing it to yelp in pain and a heated argument then ensued,
destroying the pleasant harmony of their day.
The anger of self-righteousness replaced the joy of friendship,
as the shepherd carried home his injured dog
and he vowed that there would be the retribution of justice.
So in the dead of night did the shepherd steal into his
neighbor's yard, cutting down the family's fig tree.
Upon seeing his fallen tree, the tiller promised...
"Justice will be mine"
and he stole from the shepherd's flock every newborn lamb.
The shepherd's sons were much aggrieved over the loss of lambs,
and in their pursuit to right this wrong,
set fire to their neighbor's vineyard.
The sons of the tiller vowed...
"An eye for an eye"
and came to slaughter the shepherd's flock.
The sons of the shepherd were overcome with blind rage,
and in an unguarded moment, fell upon one of the tiller's sons,
spilling his blood and declaring God to be on their side.
And every tiller vowed vengeance
and every shepherd spoke the same
as war broke out between the two clans.
Each father taught his children to hate,
adding to the endlessness of bloodshed and devastation
to family, home and land.
Their war raged on until no one was left to remember
the reason for such a violent hatred of the other...
...raged on until only the tiller's grandson
was left to hurt,
...wore on until only the shepherd's granddaughter
remained to mourn.
And the youngest tiller went to the shepherdess
with flowers in hand, speaking these words unto her...
"There is no family left to love,
no enemy left to hate,
only do we remain
and I refuse to live my life without Love."
He handed her the bouquet and the maiden's heart
melted within his embrace.
It was in that moment that the past was swept away
as a new family was born...
And it all began with flowers.