It was a warm summer day
when the gods placed it in her hands.
She trembled with emotion
as she saw how fragile it appeared.
This was a very special gift
the gods were entrusting to her.
A gift that would one day belong to the world.
Until then, they instructed her,
she was to be its guardian and protector.
The woman said she understood and
reverently took it home,
determined to live up to the faith
the gods had placed in her.
At first she barely let it out of her sight,
protecting it from anything
she perceived to be harmful to its well-being;
watching with fear in her heart
when it was exposed to the environment
outside of the sheltered cocoon
she had formed around it.
But the woman began to realize that she
could not shelter it forever.
It needed to learn to survive
the harsh elements in order to grow strong.
So with gentle care she gave it more space
to grow...
enough to allow it to
grow wild and untamed.
One day she became aware of
how much the gift had changed.
It no longer had a look
of vulnerability about it.
Now it seemed to glow
with strength and steadiness,
almost as if it were
developing a power within.
Month after month
she watched as it became
stronger and more powerful,
and the woman
remembered her promise.
She knew deep within her heart
that her time with the gift
was nearing an end.
The inevitable day arrived
when the gods came to take the gift
and present it to the world.
The woman felt a deep sadness,
for she would miss its
constant presence in her life.
With heartfelt gratitude
she thanked the gods for
allowing her the privilege of
watching over the precious
gift for so many years.
Straightening her shoulders,
she stood proud,
knowing that it was,
indeed, a very special gift.
One that would add to the beauty
and essence of the world around it.
And the mother let her child go.
![[Flag Campaign icon]](http://a1032.g.akamai.net/f/1032/81/30m/www.gamesville.lycos.com/art_gv/ribbon_small.gif){kind=small}
ZZZ