One day a little girl was sent on an errand for her mama.
“The road will be long but you will be safe as long as you extend kindness along the path.”
“Of course, mama,” the girl smiled knowing this would not be a difficult task.
In her head she recited the things she needed to buy: “Milk, butter, flour, and a ham hock for making soup.”
She met an old frail woman on the path. “Oh, she looks like she might trip and fall on that root.” The little girl rushed to aid the woman.
“Goodbye,” she waved after helping the woman to an even part of the path.
A little further along, she heard sobbing. She noticed a young woman with her head bent so low she might fall into the waters below. Without thinking, she bobbed over with a cheerful face and gave the young woman the bouquet she had been picking for her mama. “One so fair, let the beauty of the day drive away your cares,” She said as she skipped off.
Just outside of the village, a scrawny lad leaned against the tree. “He looks so hungry.” A tear formed in the girl’s eye. “There must be something… ” She remembered the bite size sandwich her mother had made for her journey. “I know it’s not much, but I hope you will gain strength from my small lunch.”
“But what will give you strength little one?”
“I have plenty of strength to get me safely home.”
As the man at the market loaded a canvas sack, he noted that it was too heavy for the girl. “How will you manage?” he implored. He had knowingly added some medicinal herbs and a jar of medicine for the girl’s sick mama.
“Sir, I don’t know” her face showed concern ” I am suddenly feeling tired from my journey.” The man smiled “Eat this; it will be enough.” As she ventured out, she knew she must be swift, her mama needed these things.
As she left the store, someone handed her a walking stick. “This may to you strength bring.” She smiled in “thanks” as the gift giver hurried off.
“I must be lost for I do not remember the huge tree in the way of my passage.” The tree tried to scoop her up. She waved the stick like a fly swatter and the tree shrank in size. “I hope the boy, who ate my lunch, is safe, ” she thought.
“The path can’t be right for there was no raging river in my way.” She looked and looked for a way around. She waved the stick and the river became a brook once again. “I hope the girl is free from the water’s pull.”
“I’m so tired,” the little girl huffed and puffed. There was a small donkey standing just up ahead. “I don’t remember you,” she said as she climbed gratefully on his back. “You are a wonderful creature,” she whispered in his ear.
A howling wind, accompanied by a blizzard, blocked her pathway home. “No you don’t,” she scolded as she raised the stick high. “We must get home to help mama.” The storm turned to a misty, much needed rain.
As she bounded into her small, warm home, she noticed her mother was pale and almost blue in color.
“Oh mama, take some of this that the nice man sent to make you feel well. I will make these herbs into a tea.” She raised the stick. “You have taken care of me. Please help my mama.”
The girl’s mama rose from her couch with her strength restored. As she gathered her girl into her arms, the little girl became a young woman, kindness beamed in her deep blue eyes.
“Thank you stick.” she whispered. She knew not that all along it had been her many kindnesses that had given the power to the stick.
Life’s Lesson: Remember to give a kindness today; you never know how it may be repaid.
Photography: “Walking Stick” copyright L. Moon 2013
I am participating in the A to Z month long Blog Challenge – Today’s letter “K”
penned in moon dust 