THE SLAVE GIRL'S SISTER
By
-Daniel-
©
Though we be apart,
we are but a heartbeat away.
I have come to share a Truth
upon this blessed day.
There once lived two souls whose lives
were intertwined...
...One was born a princess, while the other
was born her slave;
and every spoken wish became the other's
only command, for one was garbed with the
robes of royalty while the other wore the
submission of servitude.
As they grew together through childhood,
the slave girl tended to the Princess's
every need, calling her not by royal title
but only as sister, for all to hear.
And the Princess would become furious at the
slave girl's attitude of familiarity, speaking
harshly of things that would never be...
"No kin of mine are you, for you were born my
slave and naught but my slave shall you ever be."
But no matter what punishment the Princess meted out,
nothing could deter the slave girl's speech or diminish
the love that she felt for her sister.
Then, while walking deep within the forest, came the
storm that forever changed the life of the Princess.
Struck by lightning, did she lay as still as death
within the cradle of her slave's embrace.
As the slave girl prayed to God, that her sister might
live, the tears of love fell upon her lifeless face
and the Princess awakened unto the curse of darkness,
for she had been struck forever blind.
Now sore afraid was the royal one, no longer being in
command of the world she knew, so she demanded that her
slave help her to her feet and take her back to the
palace at once.
And the slave girl hugged the Princess and joyfully said...
"Oh sister, gladly will I help you, for you are my boon
companion throughout this life."
But the Princess answered with her usual fury...
"It is not sisterhood that prompts you to do my bidding,
but fear of the stinging whip; for you were born my
slave and naught but my slave shall you ever be."
The slave girl only smiled as she responded...
"One held in bondage would seize the opportunity of
this hour, leaving you here to die;
embracing her own salvation and rejoicing in her
new found freedom.
Only a sister would give her life in willing sacrifice
that another might live a more meaningful life...
...Once, I lived the life you now enjoy.
I, too, was princess of a vast kingdom;
but I failed to walk Life's Path in humility,
failed to learn the ways of Compassion and Love.
I cared not to give my life in service to others and
followed rather the selfish way of desire.
I missed the opportunity God had laid before my feet
and now I come again that I might know the ways of
Compassion, Love and Service.
I have come to walk Life's Path in humility...
...to complete my lessons unlearned...
...once as princess and now as slave."
The seeds of change had thus been planted,
and in silent reflection did they walk, arm in arm,
back to the palace grounds.
As they arrived, the people came forth to greet the
Princess and to know for themselves what had happened
that day.
And all the people marveled at her story, saying how
fortunate she was to own such a trustworthy slave.
And the Princess said unto all who would hear...
"Slave?
Nay, I see before me no slave...
...for she was born my sister and naught but my
beloved sister shall she ever be."