The Frightened God

When the gods first opened their eyes
and found themselves alone in a world they had not made,
they were afraid to move.

I will be afraid for you, said one of the gods,
so that you  can go  into the world free of fear.
All I ask is that you return and tell me what it is like.

And so the gods walked out along the horizon 
and found the trees and the mountains and the brooks.  
They made birds, cared for flowers, gave color to everything. 
They forgot the god who was afraid for them 
until, after a thousand years, they chanced upon her,
grown old and shriveled, her eyes  yellow with terror.
The gods rushed to embrace her, 
and when they touched her, terror spread over each of them.

Now it is your turn to be afraid for me,  
said the no longer fearful god.

And she walked out along the horizon to see the world,
 leaving the others huddled together,
 staring in terror at the stars.

And that is why freedom and fear are constant companions.

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