Life of a River

High up above the world, the Sun smiles and lovingly strokes the Glacier.

Warmed by the loving touch the Glacier melts and drop by drop forms a tiny Brook. The Brook trickles down gradually gathering speek and volume until it becomes a raging Torrent; a loud, rushing Torrent

rushing off to ---- where? It does not know.

It is drawn forward, pulled and dragged as though by an unseen Force; as though rushing to keep an appointment (with Fate?) Hurrying along, gleefully grabbing the turf, thoughtlessly tearing down the rocks that obstruct its path, mindless in its mirthful play, dashing headlong on its riotous way it gouges a path right thru the heart of the lofty Mountain.

At first the Mountain resists the Force of the Torrent, but bit by bit is worn down by the Torrent's formidable determination to keep its date with Fate. The Torrent did not know how to give up; the Torrent couldnt give up; and so it cut a deep Gorge right thru the heart of the Mountain and the Mountain was changed forever.

Celebrating its strength the wild and turbulent waves of the Torrent now leap up full of Hope and the sheer joy of its existence; now sink to the rocky bottom in Despair of the Journey ever ending.

Continuing its' headlong course, in time the earth carried off from the heart of the Mountain makes the Torrent heavy and thoughtful. It learns to look around at the ever changing scene, reveling in the beauty around it, slowing its pace, learning to relax and enjoy itself. Though the Torrent still lives in the heart of the River, it is now a Torrent no more, but a River grown large and deep.

The River still does not know where its Journey will end, or why it began, but it understands now that no amount of haste will bring it to its destination; no amount of fighting the forces of Nature will end its Journey until the time is ripe. Lazily looking around, it gently sings to itself, nibbling at its Boundaries, forever growing in size; continually spreading all around the Largesse brought down from the Mountain. The River hums along, all thru the day and night, enjoying its Journey towards its destiny.

Slowly, gradually it stops fighting Obstructions in its way, learning to change its course instead. It seems unmoving, yet it is always moving calmly peacefully continuing the Journey that started in such wild elation.

The end of the Journey is in sight when the River smells the closeness of the Ocean. The Oceans beckons and not knowing what is in store, the River breaks up; running hither and thither yet drawn inexorably to its final destination.

The Journey ends one day with the inevitable union, the Reason for it all, as each part of the River falls into the embrace of the boundless Ocean. The mingling waters change the Ocean and the River. Each is changed forever, and yet, each forever remains the same.