Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Peace (03/15/04)
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TITLE: The Gift By Clotilde Martinez 03/21/04 |
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"Miss. Oh, Miss." I yelled out. She turned around and looked straight at me. The words were still frozen in my mouth, therefore she continued on her way. For some strange reason, she turn around and said, "Follow me, Catherine." I thought she was mad, but I could not stay in this room anymore. Besides, there was something familiar about her. I followed her, but every time I moved the shackles cut into my legs and arms, causing me to bleed. I hate bleeding but I could not stop. Every time I rest, I heard "Come, Catherine."
Although I have not seen her lips move. It as if she was ordering me to continue. "Let me rest." I cried. The pain was too much to bear. "No, we must go or else all is lost. " "Where are we going?" "To see the Great King before it is too late for you." Wait, one bit, what does she mean "too late for me?" Whose is this Great King? I thought myself. As if she heard myself, she answered that he was the protector of those who seek his help and of those who did not seek his help. We continued our journey. Then suddenly, I found myself at the base of a treacherous hill. "Come, Catherine, climb." She got to be kidding. She want me to climb, even though I am still bound. Either she is crazy or I'm crazy because I am climbing this hill.
"Come, Catherine, the top of the hill is near and I can see The Kingdom of the Great King." I do not know how long it took me to reach the top, but I did. I want to rest, but she would not let me. The road was smooth for my weary feet, but suddenly the road was filled with thorns, prickling my feet. I tried to walked faster but the chains seem to grown heavier. I want to go back to my dungeon; at least there I could not feel pain. "Better to bleed now then later." said my tour guide whose feet were protected from the thorns.
Finally, we reached the gate of the kingdom. "Samuel." She called out. Suddenly, this old man with long flowing beard appeared. He was wearing a golden tunic and around his waist was a silver belt. In one of his arms, he was carrying an open book.
"Maura." He greeted her. "Welcome home." "Thank you, I found her." Maura said, pointing to me. Samuel looked at me. There was a look of compassion on his face. It was if he wanted to lighten my load. "Where did you find her?" " Samuel, your heart would shatter and break if you knew what condition I found this poor soul. They are not ready for her just yet." Samuel nodded "You are right." "I must give my report to the King. Where is he?" asked Maura. "In his courtroom, passing judgment." answered Samuel.
Maura bided me to follow her into this beautiful palace made of marble. I realize that my feet did not hurt as much, but I was still chained. Perhaps, someone will take these chains off me. We finally reached the courtroom. Everyone stood still. I then noticed that they wore the same outfits as Samuel and then I saw Him. He was unlike anyone in that courtroom. There was this aura around him as if I knew him from somewhere. "Catherine" He cried out as he ran over to embrace me.
He stopped hugging me when Maura spoke "Your majesty, this is how they treated your gift. You must take her back from them." The Great King answered, "Maura, you are right. Perhaps, they will never be ready."
Then a small boy stepped forward and spoke "Why do you take the gift away from those who did not harm her, but instead wanted to help her." Maura dismiss him with "Foolish child." The Great King held up his hand. "Maura, listen, my wise one. The child speaks the truth. Continue, child, speak." The child spoke. "You left her without an anchor in a sea of misguided beings. She need someone to lean on."
The Great King ponder the child's saying. "He is right. I shall have never sent you, Catherine, without help. I have forgotten the enemy's abilities. Maura step forward "If your majesty wants, I will go with her." The King smiled "Wisdom, you knew before I spoke, that I wanted you to go with her. Take Samuel for he will guide your steps."
"What about me? Said the child tugging at the robes of the Great King, who smiled. "Why Hope, did you not know that Peace could not lived without you." Then the King turned to me. "Chains of despair, be gone." My chains were gone and I breathe a sign of relief. "Catherine, do you want to go back?" Those faces from before that ones I could not see flashed before my eyes. I could hear their cries for me. "I must go. They are in dire need of me." "Go, then take Wisdom, Guidance and Hope with you. For you Peace can't exist without them." Once more, The Great King sent me, but are you willing to receive the gift?