muse_playground Old prompt Gerould simplicity quote
77. Simplicity is an acquired taste. Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life." - Katharine Fullerton Gerould
Duty meant many things to many people. When one is created for the sole purpose of duty then the meaning takes on a whole new life, it is life. Peninnah knew humans did not understand and though she tried to explaining their lack of experience and her own struggle with words put a firm barrier in the way.
For her duty had depth. It was not merely her duty to religion, the church and those who came to it but more. She was a guardian, a protector and a sanctuary to any who came in need. That too was duty. There were duties to herself. She tended her own body not in vanity but to stay healthy and thereby continue with her other callings. Life was full for her but it was also empty.
People rarely stayed and even fewer talked. For so long they had lived on the edge of society that they had become hermits. She understood that one concept. She lived that life as well but it was not by mistake or ill-luck. For her it was by design. God had created her for duty and loneliness. Human needs came to her at times. Some days she watched others walk hand in hand and wondered what it would be to feel as they did. In that same moment she knew that was not her place. God had other intentions and she left that desire in the moment and spent her days at other things.
She did not dream of the future. She knew it would hold the same tasks as this day and every preceding day. It was a planned life and a simple life. She had few needs and they were fulfilled without fuss. The weeks had patterns and that was what she longed for.
Yesterday she fed the homeless but today was her favorite day. She could not read but she could memorize what was spoken to her. She still remembered all of Father Chrisofer’s bible stories. This day she would share them with the few eager children which were brought by. There were 6 boys and three girls but anyone was welcome to come and listen. She was not a priest, she did not give sermons but she could spin a tale from the verses of the bible.
The knitted blanket she took to the lawn had been created by an elderly woman who came to pray on Sunday afternoons. It was warm, patterned in red flowers and tree leaves. Peninnah cherished it as few had ever given her a gift. She spread it in the dappled sun and sat to wait.
They were on time. Always. Though one little boy who lived with his aunt always came early. He wanted to know if his mom and dad were in heaven. Peninnah knew deep in her heart they were and the boy’s smile always made her feel light inside.
Surrounded by eager children she began her story. Today it was of a man who had listened to God despite ridicule. He had saved many things of beauty. The children as always had questions. Why did he save spiders, they’re scary? Did Noah have to save the fish too? How did he fit a whale on the boat? What happened to the dinosaurs?
She answered them all to the best of her ability. Even the questions about why God made people all different colors from one family. She did not mind. Curiosity led to learning and wonder. Questions were what made children the precious things they were. Of course there was a round of milk and cookies on the lawn when the story was done. Then play while the children waited for parents and guardians to return. Some parents had stayed and she spoke with them. Some worried about their children at school. Others had problems with money or spouses. She listened and promised to pray for them in the evening. She gave them hope and she gave the children wonder.
The story days were when she felt the most useful. It was these days when she felt like her duty had really been fulfilled. It was more than her duty to the church or God. No this was all of those things plus more. She smiled happily as they began to depart. She would see them next week with another story.
Duty meant many things to many people. When one is created for the sole purpose of duty then the meaning takes on a whole new life, it is life. Peninnah knew humans did not understand and though she tried to explaining their lack of experience and her own struggle with words put a firm barrier in the way.
For her duty had depth. It was not merely her duty to religion, the church and those who came to it but more. She was a guardian, a protector and a sanctuary to any who came in need. That too was duty. There were duties to herself. She tended her own body not in vanity but to stay healthy and thereby continue with her other callings. Life was full for her but it was also empty.
People rarely stayed and even fewer talked. For so long they had lived on the edge of society that they had become hermits. She understood that one concept. She lived that life as well but it was not by mistake or ill-luck. For her it was by design. God had created her for duty and loneliness. Human needs came to her at times. Some days she watched others walk hand in hand and wondered what it would be to feel as they did. In that same moment she knew that was not her place. God had other intentions and she left that desire in the moment and spent her days at other things.
She did not dream of the future. She knew it would hold the same tasks as this day and every preceding day. It was a planned life and a simple life. She had few needs and they were fulfilled without fuss. The weeks had patterns and that was what she longed for.
Yesterday she fed the homeless but today was her favorite day. She could not read but she could memorize what was spoken to her. She still remembered all of Father Chrisofer’s bible stories. This day she would share them with the few eager children which were brought by. There were 6 boys and three girls but anyone was welcome to come and listen. She was not a priest, she did not give sermons but she could spin a tale from the verses of the bible.
The knitted blanket she took to the lawn had been created by an elderly woman who came to pray on Sunday afternoons. It was warm, patterned in red flowers and tree leaves. Peninnah cherished it as few had ever given her a gift. She spread it in the dappled sun and sat to wait.
They were on time. Always. Though one little boy who lived with his aunt always came early. He wanted to know if his mom and dad were in heaven. Peninnah knew deep in her heart they were and the boy’s smile always made her feel light inside.
Surrounded by eager children she began her story. Today it was of a man who had listened to God despite ridicule. He had saved many things of beauty. The children as always had questions. Why did he save spiders, they’re scary? Did Noah have to save the fish too? How did he fit a whale on the boat? What happened to the dinosaurs?
She answered them all to the best of her ability. Even the questions about why God made people all different colors from one family. She did not mind. Curiosity led to learning and wonder. Questions were what made children the precious things they were. Of course there was a round of milk and cookies on the lawn when the story was done. Then play while the children waited for parents and guardians to return. Some parents had stayed and she spoke with them. Some worried about their children at school. Others had problems with money or spouses. She listened and promised to pray for them in the evening. She gave them hope and she gave the children wonder.
The story days were when she felt the most useful. It was these days when she felt like her duty had really been fulfilled. It was more than her duty to the church or God. No this was all of those things plus more. She smiled happily as they began to depart. She would see them next week with another story.