THE ORCHID AND THE BANYAN TREE
By
-Daniel-
©
Though we be apart,
we are but a heartbeat away.
I have come to share a Truth
upon this blessed day.
Deep in the valleys, east of the highest mountains known,
lived a young maiden whose beauty was unmatched in
all the world;
and the purity of her heart was reflected in the
all that she was...
...a common girl,
bound in servitude by a powerful prince
who was able to demand all that he desired.
Everything of worldly value belonged to the prince,
save the affection of this one servant girl.
And his wanton lust for her grew into obsession,
as he focused his every waking thought into possessing
the one desire that he could not demand...
...for Love is not an earthly craving but rather a
blessing granted from above.
The shower of his gifts and attention meant nothing to the young maiden,
for in secret her heart belonged to another;
and often it was that they would steal away together,
sharing Life for a moment, speaking of dreams unrealized
and of Truths untold.
Hand in hand would they walk through the quietness of the glade,
unseen by all, save the Master of Love;
and the Master would silently watch over them,
protecting their Love from prying eyes while the young couple
dreamed of a life together.
Happiness was finally hers within the arms of his embrace,
and there was she forever safe and secure from a lust-filled world.
As the Master whispered his Love Song upon the wind,
would she dance within her beloved's embrace and the promise
of eternal joy was theirs alone.
Within the sanctuary of this glade was the secret of their Love safe,
but the young couple grew careless in their secret and rumor made
its way back to the forlorn and brooding prince.
The news of another possessing that which he demanded,
enraged the prince and he vowed that no other would stand
in the way of his own desire;
and if he could not seize that which he demanded,
then he would destroy the very thing he had sought so hard to gain.
In the company of his palace guard did the prince seek
to follow the young couple,
that he might find the Sanctuary of Love and put to death
that which he could not command.
But the Master of Love knew the wickedness residing within
the heart of the prince and he appeared before the eyes
of the young couple, sitting in the glade,
and unto them did the Master speak his words of warning...
"Behold, my children, even as I speak shall the Prince of Earthly Things
come to slay that which is not under his dominion.
He who is of the earth cannot look up to find the Kingdom of Love,
for the focus of his being is centered upon the realm of earthly self;
but Love is not of this earth and only through the sacrifice of self
can your Love be saved."
In silence did the young couple tearfully embrace for a final time
and then spoke in unison unto the Master of Love...
"Master, please save my beloved."
With a mighty thought, did the Master change the young man
into a gigantic Banyan Tree and he placed the young maiden high
into the branches above the earth, where she would remain
forever hidden unto the lustful desires of men.
Long after the prince had given up his futile search did
the maiden cling to the branches of the Banyan Tree,
and even though she knew it was safe to flee,
she refused to leave behind her dearly beloved.
And the Master saw the purity of this Love and with a glorious thought,
did he change the young maiden into a beautiful Orchid,
forever clinging to the embrace of the Banyan Tree.
And even unto this day, should you walk within the quiet
sanctuary of this hidden glade,
lift up thine eyes unto the Kingdom of Love and behold the
radiance of the blooming orchid, dancing to the Master's
windsong of Love.
Look close, and you shall see that her roots are not bound by
earthly soil but rather cling to the strength of her beloved.
Look closer still and you shall come to see the Tree of Life
imprinted upon her petals and the Dove of Peace that flies
forth from the center of her very soul...
...Lift up thine eyes and know the glory that is Love.