ONE SPLASH FROM THE CHILD (A SHORT STORY)

A man awoke from a long rest.

He found himself before a palace, with parades of people. 
All shades, tones, and sizes they were; 
gracefully and peacefully walking into the palace.

The palace was open on all sides. 
 The guards danced, 
and colorful birds circled around it.  
Trumpets played. 
And marching bands played rhythms 
so perfect they seemed electronic.

All sounds sweet, acoustic, and heavenly.
Nature sang with the winds that blew and droplets of water that dropped.

The man stood up and followed.

They were all dressed in white, with gold trimmings bare foot.
Crowns upon their heads, and the finest jewelry ever seen.

They walked.
With bouquets of lavender flowers at hand, 
they walked joyously.
There seemed to be a great mission at hand.

Within the palace there was a carpet of red rose petals
leading down the center.

There were thousands of shining people playing and singing from the balconies.
There were organs, and flutes.
There was one harp, and the voices of children giggling rhythmically.
All sounds worked into a symphony written in D major.

The man was marveled as he walked with tears in his eyes
and looking above read poetry of joy and triumph written in Greek;
painted in blue, the words were engraved into the ceiling of this palace.

All were walking to the center of the palace.
There was a great fountain made of Gold,
spewing out water crystal clear
glimmering in the light reflected by the Gold and Diamond all around.

There were 3 thrones before the fountain with no one sitting in them.
But from them were 3 great lights, shining as one before the foot of the fountain.

There lay a new born child, cozy and warm
as a young man and a young woman knelt beside him with eyes of awe.
Winged animals cuddled before him, 
and an abundant harvest of fruits and vegetables of all kinds
were laid out, circling around the man, the woman, and the child.

The parade was marching to the child.
As they laid their lavender flowers before him
the man who awoke to this place was overcome by this sight.

And he looked in his reflection to see, that unlike the members of this parade
he was dressed in black.  But his shoes were Golden.

As he reached into his right pocket he found but one black flower, crumpled and broken.
Ashamed he turned to hide himself from all.
Crying, he knew how unworthy he was of this place and he sat to take off of his shoes 
for they seemed to be the only gift fit for this divine family of love.

Instantly, the child turned and splashed some of the water from the fountain on the man.
The man began to rise into the air, along with all of the members of the parade..

The child smiled and the light from the three thrones then shone upon the man.
At once all of the parade members were sent out, and a great light covered all of the land.
All across the earth people followed the light identified by the shadow of the man,
and they came to the palace.

Leaving all they had before, and they were made royal.

- The Symbol
- All is Love