Week Forty-Four

Once upon a time, there were moments of awakeness, and then a lifetime of slumber.

At first, the thought is appealing; to sleep forever, and then awake, restful and refreshed. But for Acedianna, the awake never came.

     Acedianna was a young girl who had much to live for, and much to gain. She knew this, but sadly took it for granted. Her parents worked hard and strove for success so that she, their daughter could have a happy and wonderful life. But this too, she took for granted. She did not work hard for herself, she did not care about her future, all she cared about was now. And now, she wanted to be happy. But it was the wrong kind of happy. It was a happy based solely off of self pleasure, and comfort, and over time Acedianna became lazy.

The days melted into one another for Acedianna, but she did not notice. She was too busy not being busy; sleeping, being pampered, and eating fine delicacies were what her days consisted of. For awhile, it was utterly wonderful, but her spirit soon became slothful. Over time, she started to feel bored with her life. But she was so used to having things done for her that she did not know how to do them for herself. Everything became dull, lifeless, slow. She started to have a burning desire for adventure, but she did not how to acquire it. She searched and searched, trying to find it, buy it, but she did not realize that adventure never finds us. We have to go out into the world and find it for ourselves.

 

But that was too hard. Acedianna wanted something easier.

 

She became tired, tired of her life, tired of everything; so her favorite pastime became resting, and soon her days were slept away. She was sad, for she did not know how to be happy without being indolent. 

She had a favorite spot outside under a tree, where she would rest her conflicted mind. She would often wake up to the songs of the birds, and it would make her heart heavy, for they had a wonderful, simple life, she thought. Completely wild and free, full of adventure. So tired was she, straining to lift her head; to catch a glimpse of the creatures, for the sounds drew her in. Still, it puzzled her, for how could they be happy without having anything, and especially without having anything done for them? It must be because they are stupid, she convinced herself. Yes, that was it. She was so much better than the birds. She didn't have to do anything, after all! They were just silly, petty little animals, and if they knew any better they would demand the other birds to get things for them. She had glimpsed for a second, the simple and beautiful life she could have, but her stubborn heart would not have it. She was too bent in her ways and determined on having things done for her. What she did not realize was that by doing this, her life was being lived by others.

One day, as she lay down in her favorite spot, she thought about her life and despite how stupid the birds really were, they were the closest things to friends she had, for they didn't do anything for her. They never helped her, served her, or worked for her. They just simply were. 

 

 

Acedianna lay her head down to sleep like she always had.

And to awake in this life, nevermore.