Majnun and the Frog

Majnun was wandering through the wilderness searching eagerly for Layli. After many days, he grew weary from his constant searching and he fell up on the ground, exhausted. As he slept he dreamed of his beloved. When he awoke the fire of his longing and given way to burning thirst. Weakly he made his way to a nearby pool.

As he approached he heard an enchanting song. He was shocked to find that the melody was coming from a simple, little frog. He sat there enraptured, the delicate, feminine voice reminding him of his distant love. Not until long after the sing had finished was he able to return from deep within his own heart. As he stirred, the frog heard his sighs and called to him.

"Please sir, come near and hear my tale. I was not always as you see me now. I am a daughter of the King, a princess of this land. An evil spirit cursed me, and transformed into a frog. Only the love of one of noble birth can free me. I see that you have the bearing of a noble man, would you sit with me here and learn to love me."

"Alas," replied to lover, "I cannot for my heart belongs to Layli. I have given up my rank and all that is associated with it in my longing. I am but a wanderer in this wilderness, like you. And I must continue my search. Perhaps, though, we can look for our love together."

It is not known if she went with him, for Majnun kept divers company and happened upon many in his search. I believe that she did, and that they became true, long-lasting companions. Of course, as with all tales of man, accounts vary.

Passing Through the Wind in the Willows

Well Mr Toad! I hope you are happy.  I cannot sleep because the Sun is shining in my eyes through this gaping hole in my home!  Yet I cannot truely be mad either for I dearly love the Sun.

I do not think I really understood about the Sun, until I met you.  Sure, I dimly percieved the changing of the seasons, burried in my lonely sanctuary.  Sure, I understood that some force called the Sun drove such changes, that from His tender affections Mother Nature bore life.  I could feel that life stir as the walls unfroze and the roots above my headed needed constrant triming, but I was blind.

Then you came and broke down the door to my room.  Sure the time had come; I would have gone out eventually.  I know myself.  I am no mole content to pass all his life in his little hole.  But I could be, and that scares me.  In the past I had tried to venture out of my hole, to change my life, but always found myself having gone there and back again: a small adventure with little lasting results.  Still, Mr. Toad, you didn't have to be the one to break my door;  I may even have done it myself.  But you did, and without even meaning to.

Now, at this moment, I can feel the Sun on my face.  I can smell the spring flowers growing under His Warmth.  And how warm He is!  My tiny little hearth is shamed by the fire of His Presence.  At times I fear He is too much, searing my skin with His Rays, tearing my eyes with His Glare.  And yet love it.  

For without his warmth I would not have the courage to explore this world.  And, as I Abide by His Light, I, like the trees and tender plants around me, can grow upward and outward. 

O Abider, I call on Thee, O Abider!

Thou the Ever-Abiding, O Thou Abiding One!

Perhaps someday I, having tempered my courage against the tides of time, will join you in Toad Hall and we can spend out our days having grand adventures together.  Perhaps you will have gone, having spent away the Hall on some grand adventure.  Then I will have no choice but to pass from this land, like the wind passing through the willows.  Haply our paths may cross and we may adventure again.