“Do Something!” The Child screamed.
“I am doing something,” said The Prophet as he sat by the Palm tree growing on the lily pad. He was preparing the fish Mr. Whale caught with his mouth or flipped with his fluke on the green moss, surrounding the patch of seaweed.
“That’s not what I mean, and you know it,” The Child said.
“What do you want me to do besides what I’m doing?”
“Prophet?”
“Yes, Child?”
“We’ve been cruising since we left the cove. The only thing that’s happened is I saw a beautiful sunrise, and Mr. Whale showed up, and I almost went the wrong way.”
“So, you’re bored, Child.”
“Not bored, just need to do something.”
“Help me clean the fish,” The Prophet said.
“What will that do?”
“It might strengthen you and chase away your boredom.”
“But I’m already strong.”
“Let me see you walk on the water. You haven’t done that since we started cruising.”
The Child stood and walked to the edge of the lily pad. Defiantly, she stamped one foot on the ocean and fell in the water.
“Prophet,” she screamed, “I can’t do it anymore.”
“Yes, you can, Child. Get out of the water and try again.”
“But I just tried.” The Child said, hanging onto the lily pad.
“No, in your boredom, you demanded.”
The Child grasped a top part of the lily pad and heaved herself out of the water. Standing on its edge, she closed her eyes and saw an image appear. She smiled and opened her eyes. Again, she put one foot on the water, but this time, she stepped instead of stamped.
“Whee, Prophet, look!”
“I told you; you could do it, Child. Inner peace and confidence are your strengths.”
Shalom,
Pat Garcia
