The Man Who Wept

The Man Who Wept
By: Crystalina A. Scales

There once was a man who travelled through the woods and sat amongst a tree weeping through out the nights. Many creatures came by wondering why he does cry, only to take a mere glance and continue on their way. One night a fox danced by and stopped to hear the horrible sobs. Without a beat the fox spoke to the man.

"dear sir, why do you cry, is the night not appeasing with such lights to play along with the moon and stars". The man looked up in surprise, to hear such a pleasant voice. "Oh fox, you see, I try and try but the stars do not allow me to play amongst them".

The fox lifted her head with a loud bark "Is that all? well dear sir I will capture those stars and make them dance for you, for I am a fox you see and foxes are well known for such swiftness and cunning talents". With a swish of her tail she pounced to the highest trees and spoke to the stars with a lullaby sound bringing small fires down to the ground.

The man rose from his sorrow and watched such fires dance, faster and faster, hotter and hotter. They danced till the man was engulfed by it's flames. Still he smiled and laughed while his flesh burned to bones and his bones to ash. Until the stars grew weary and dimmed to nothing, leaving a smell of madness and blackened wood.

The fox watched in a curious splendour and was intrigued by what foolish wants humans have, to indulge in such dangerous pleasures that only lead to their own demise.


 © 2010 Crystalina A. Scales