Once upon a time, a long long time ago, there lived a warrior who came from the underworld. from under the sea. And he rose from the sea, riding a great while stallion, a thoroughbred. He was looked on in awe by his followers. People reveled at his feet because he had the knowledge and wisdom of a thousand men. And he was a lofty being. But not being of this earth, he could not place his footprint on this mortal soil. And so he would mount his ride, and be guided by the people, giving guidance, and credence to those that asked and providing solace and gratitude to those that needed, and for those that wanted more, he would guide their thoughts inside. And all was good.
And then, a second warrior, even more lofty rose, riding a black stallion, and he too carried reverence everywhere he rode, not being of this earth, and being of loftier awareness. and never their paths crossed.
.. until one day. It was rumored that a white rose was seen in the valley. A rose of such rarity and beauty that it transfixed the minds of all, and they would fall into a deep trance, transfixed by it’s beauty and attraction. And the king of kings of the lands said to all men, “He that brings me this rose, of great rarity will take my daughter’s hand in matrimony, and she will be his bride, and he will have all riches and wealth that man could wish for, for this rose of exquisite beauty will bring peace to our land”.
But no mortal man could pick this rose, for they fell transfixed, and could not draw on themselves to pluck such fragile beauty. And so the lords and the kings send note to the two great warriors on their stallion mounts. “You must bring the Rose of Rarity to our King, for it will bring peace to our lands, and it will bring you great wealth and riches”
And both warriors received the message, and each went to pluck their prize, and met face to face for the first time. And a battle of minds ensued. There was much fighting, and defending, and pain inflicted, and hurt felt, as the two great warriors locked minds and forces to win. And the ebb and flow of victory appeared and disappeared for each. And at dusk they paused. And waited until the dawning hour. At dawn, a single white dove flew over the mountain and flew to the rare rose, and landed on the rose bush, and the dove pricked itself on a thorn of the rose bush, it it drew blood. And a single drop of blood fell on the exquisite white rose of such beauty and rarity and it was stained forever.
And the great warriors saw this, and they paused. and considered their own past. Where they had come from, what they had learnt along the way, and what happened that they become the soul survivors of an age old battle and had never crossed paths until this day. And now the were fighting a battle for someone else.
Instantly, they released the grip they had on each others passion and left the lands forever. And those who watched realized. It was now their time to begin again and to create a different way. And this time, to do it for their own passion, and not someone elses. And cities fell, and new cities grew, and still the sun rose every morning and poured it’s blessings on the exquisite rose of such rarity and beauty, even with it’s imperfection.
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A high contrast shot of a white Andalusian stallion in the sun against a black background. (Credit: iStockphoto/Baldur Tryggvason)
