©2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved
Photo Credit: MamaWestWind's "Northern Adventure: The Autumn
Sky"
A wise woman was hiking in the mountains when she encountered another hiker who was a bit famished. He asked her, “What do you have in that bag you’re carrying?”She replied, “Some water, a bit of food and some joy.” He asked, “How can you carry joy in a bag?” “I don’t really carry joy in my bag but rather a note I wrote to myself when I get discouraged on the journey.” The man no longer concerned with his hunger was now more intrigued with the note. “What does the note say?”It simply says: ‘No matter what happens, don’t isolate yourself from joy; look at the clouds, they are always speaking—oh such joy.’ The hiker sighed and asked if he could just have some of the food and water. The wise woman gave him what he wanted but he had to give something in return. She asked for his address. Also she reminded him, "You will never see me again but a year from now you will receive a note from me--if you have a porch sit on it and read the note." One year later, the hiker was sitting on his front porch, his wife had died; she was killed in a horrible car accident six months ago. The last six months have been hell; he had isolated himself from everything and everybody. His only contact was with the clerk at the local grocery store, but only after hours and the mailman to receive obligatory bills and such. On this fall evening the mailman arrives approximately 6:00 pm, he gives the man his mail and leaves--they have an agreement, there is to be no small talk between them. He goes through the mail and along with bills and such there is a note. Wondering to himself: "Who could this be from?" He opens the note and immediately remembers the woman on the trail. He also recalled how ridiculous he thought she was--who would ask for a stranger's address to send him a note a year from now in exchange for food and water? He sits with the note for a few moments before opening it. He finally reads it just as the autumn evening sky made its entrance. The note said: "Happiness comes and goes but joy stays when it finds a home." This is Tuesday talk. ©2013 Theda Okona All Rights Reserved Photo Credit: MamaWestWind's "Northern Adventure: The Autumn Sky"
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Blogger Bio:Theda Okona is a former storyteller and co-host for an internet radio broadcast. She lives to be inspired. Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College, Writer, Speaker, Vocalist and Author of Clouds of Grace--she has a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in English. Archives
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