Phoenix, an old bird, lived in the desert.

He thought life had always been cruel to him.

His lovers had turned on him.

His wealth had never materialized and every day was a new insult.

When the sun rose, he was at his maximum rage.

"The sun shines to mock me," he cried. "It blinds and bakes me. It dries away the water and drives away all other life. I have no companionship."

Nearby, a scorpion paused to listen.

"Stand in the shade of the cliffs," the scorpion instructed.

"Drink from the springs in the caves. Also, say 'Good morning' once in a while."

Phoenix became so enraged that he burst into flames and fell to dust.

A few moments later he rose again.

"You are another curse on me," the bird spat.

"You only tell me these things to anger me to the point of self destruction."

The scorpion leapt upon the bird and stung him until he exploded.

The bird screeched,"Why did you do that?"

"To show you a lesson; how your anger hurts you more than it does me," the scorpion said.

Angry and confused, Phoenix demanded,

"Can't you see what a horrible life the creator has given me?

I have been cursed to die a thousand deaths."

"I would gladly change places," exclaimed the scorpion.

"What do you mean?" demanded the bird.

The scorpion explained, "I am filled with poison, but so are you.

My poison kills, but once.

From yours you yourself die a thousand deaths.

You have a soul filled with anger and hatred.

Yet, the creator has given you eternal life.

You think his gift is a curse.

It is not.

Your power to regenerate was not given so that you could survive self destruction.

You could die for your beliefs and rise again.

You could give love to the world until you fall to ashes and then rise again to greater acts of glory.

What a gift!

All was silent.

Phoenix flew into the sky.

As if for the first time he saw the colors of the earth below.

He heard the hum of insects, felt the thrill of the wind.

"Forgive me," the bird cried.

Phoenix exploded and then rose again.

The bird looked around and saw green fields.

The scorpion was gone and in its place sat a small dove.

"Where did the scorpion and the desert go?" Phoenix asked.

The bird stretched its wings. "I am here. The desert is here too, beneath the meadow.

It is all in the way you chose to view it.

You have simply chosen a new way."

Distressed, Phoenix asked,

"Will I ever go back to the desert?"

His companion shrugged.

"Every day you chose where you awake: the desert or the meadow?

You will choose the way you see your fellows: scorpions or doves."

"But I only want to live in the meadow with the doves," worried Phoenix.

The dove smiled,

"Then by all means, do."

Contributed by Lisa Suhay (Copyright (c) Lisa Suhay) Lisa Suhay is a freelance writer who lives in Medford, New Jersey. Her work appears regularly in the Philadelphia Inquirer and Newark Star- Ledger. mailto:LISASUHAY@prodigy.net ______________________________________________ If you are interested, there is more information about The most important event of all time and how to be part of it. Send mail to mailto:dw-follow-up@gospelcom.net or go to http://www.gospelcom.net/gf/dw/dw-level2.html ______________________________________________