Isabella was mad, really mad! Who did those girls think they were? She was not evil or bad. How could they say she was? They didn't know anything about her. Isabella had been sitting there for over an hour with the same questions going round and round in her head. She didn't want to admit it, but she was also a little confused and afraid. She had run to her favorite place, the base of a huge old oak tree on the bank of the creek in her backyard. Isabella came here often, especially when something was troubling her. Just being there made her feel better. This time, however, she was having trouble understanding why those girls didn't like her. She hadn't done anything to them, and Isabella didn't even know their names. They had said awful things about her and her family. Isabella was crying, she cradled herself in among the roots of the giant oak and leaned her head against the trunk. In the dappled shade of the afternoon, Isabella soon cried herself to sleep.
There was someone standing in front of her calling her name. Isabella tried to wake up and see who it was; she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and tried to focus. Isabella jumped to her feet," I must still be asleep," she thought. �I don't believe what I'm seeing." Standing before her was the most beautiful woman Isabella had ever seen. She had long flowing hair that was so shinny Isabella couldn't be certain just what color it was, her eyes sparkled with love and kindness and her whole body seemed to have a sort of glow around it. She smelled like the rain and all the flowers Isabella had ever seen, like warm cookies and everything else that had ever smelled good to Isabella, she had a smile that made Isabella feel like she was being hugged. Isabella felt happy, she felt safe, she felt like everything would be wonderful. Then Isabella knew this beautiful woman must be the Goddess.
"I heard your tears Isabella."
"I have come to help you."
All that her mother and grandmother had taught her ran through her mind. They were right, the Goddess did love her, not that she had ever doubted it. She had seen the love of the Goddess all her life in so many ways, the food on the table, a sunny day, the love of her family, the trees and the flowers and all the beautiful animals. She had been taught that even the rainy days and bad times were for a reason. The rain was cleansing and gave nourishment to all the plants and animals, like her old oak tree. So Isabella was never sad when it rained, it kept her old friend alive and healthy. Her mother has always told her that each day was a gift and should be treasured.
"You have learned well Isabella."
"Now dry your tears and tell me, little one, how may you use your
knowledge to solve your problem?"
At first Isabella was a little confused. What did she mean? She was crying because those girls had been so mean to her. They said she was evil and bad and that her....., Isabella stopped. She knew.
"Know thyself.� Isabella said.
Those girls, their words, couldn't change who she was or make her and her family bad or evil. They were just words said out of fear and out of a lack of knowledge about Isabella, her family and what they believed. Isabella would show them that she was a good person by her actions.
"Ever mind the rule of three," Isabella added.
Isabella's mother had taught her that you reap what you sow, that you should always treat others the way you want to be treated. Her mother had taught a practical approach to the rule of three along with the traditional meaning. Isabella didn't know how to be any other way. Isabella smiled; her mother and grandmother were very wise. She was very happy that she hadn't said anything mean back to them. Now she felt silly that she had gotten mad. Getting mad had only made her feel bad and hadn't fixed anything.
Isabella looked up and the Goddess was gone. In the place where the Goddess had been standing was the most beautiful stone she had ever seen. Isabella gently picked it up and held it the palm of her hand. It felt very warm and comforting. It was shaped like a heart and was every color she could imagine. Isabella closed her hand over the stone and sat back down in the comfort of the oak tree thinking about the experiences of the day. The Goddess was also very wise. She had not given Isabella the answers; but had let Isabella discover that the answers were already in her. Isabella not only felt better about what had happened that day but she also felt a sense of accomplishment. She curled up in her favorite place and was soon asleep again.
Isabella was awaked by the sound of her mother's voice calling her. For just a moment she was confused, had she been dreaming? Had the Goddess really been there?
Then she felt the warm stone in her hand. Isabella smiled and hugged the stone to her. What a wonderful day it had been! She sat there for another moment or two taking in the beauty around her and thanking the tree for sheltering her and keeping her company. She stood up and stretched then headed home for supper. Isabella decided that tonight she would give special thanks for her mother and grandmother, for all they had taught her and for the girls she had encountered earlier, and for the lesson she had learned from it. Of course for the Goddess, and Her love and the special gift that she would always treasure.
Willow Riverwoods 2006 (LKM)