LIFE IS SHINING FORTH | MAGICAL BEINGS
Let There Be Light
To set against the darkness
Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.
Maya Angelou
In bleak midwinter
Darkness dominated all
Save the sun’s daughters
Glimmering, glowing, golden
Inspired transfigurations
Susannah Stewart said, “I’m telling this story about Lord Sol because the winter solstice has come and gone, and with the days growing longer, we will see more and more of the sun. I’ve been reading a lot of sun mythology talking about how big and important and manly he thinks he is, so I’m telling a story with a different point of view.”
The Sun and His Daughters
It was the day after the winter solstice, and Lord Sol was on the mend. His outlook on life was much improved, and he was looking forward to the day ahead. Flattering attention, self-indulgence, he saw nothing but pleasurable things in his future.
His chief minister interrupted his good mood.
“There is the one meeting, Sire, with your daughters, Radiant Sunshine, Beaming Ray, and Bright Glow.”
Lord Sol sputtered, “What, what fool agreed to that?”
“You, Sire, two days ago, right before the winter solstice. They had come to visit, and you said to agree to anything so they would leave.”
Lord Sol asked, “What do they want?” though he had a sinking feeling that it would be more ridiculous demands about making life better for others.
“Oh, the usual, improving life for other beings, making the world more liveable, alleviating climate change. I’m afraid they have some rather detailed plans. They say they are tired of talk and empty promises. This time there must be more action.” the chief minister replied.
“Very well if I must. I know how persistent they can be. Of course, I will maintain the upper hand, and they will see who is in charge here. Show them in.”
Lord Sol put on his most imperious expression and prepared to meet his daughters.
After recounting the many good points of the sisters’ arguments and their father’s feeble responses, mostly consisting of ‘because I say so’ and ‘well because I want it that way’ , Susannah, triumphing in the sisters’ well-deserved victory over their father, brought the story to what she regarded as a highly satisfactory conclusion.
Smiling, the sisters left the room , having won every argument and having achieved every one of their goals.
Glaring at his chief minister Lord Sol snapped in a whining, petulant voice.
“Well, that’s another fine mess you led me into. A sad state of affairs when a ruler’s own children think they know better than him. Tell me, oh ever-optimistic one, in your everlasting quest to make the best of all things, do tell me one good thing about what just transpired.”
“The meeting is over, your daughters have departed, and they did not ask for another conference,” the chief minister said in a mild tone.
“Which means they think — no, they know they have won once again. Mere women, daughters, year after year, how do they do it?”
Lord Sol started to fume his way into a rage, but then he stopped.
“But you are right. It means I don’t have to deal with any new demands for now. Next year it will turn out differently. They will be weaker; I will be stronger. How can it possibly continue like this, their complete unwillingness to recognize the loftiness of my loft, the splendiferousness of my splendor? Next year, rest assured, I, the great and powerful Sol, will triumph over my lowly female offspring.”
A wise and pragmatic soul, the chief minister gave the only possible response in the circumstances.
“Yes Sire, O Mighty Lord and Ruler of All, whatever you say.”
After finishing her story Susannah went upstairs. The two classics professors, new guests in the house, stared at Grandmother Iline and said,
“ Perhaps we will just have a word with the child about literature and mythology, help her see some of the errors in her thinking.”
Horrified, Grandmother Iline started to warn them what a terrible mistake that would be when Harmony and Dissonance , Susannah’ s beloved ‘maiden aunts’ said ,
“Y’all, just go ahead and do that very thing. Might be a lot of learning in that for everybody. Just be sure Susannah has her dictionary with her in case she needs to look something up.”
As the two men left the room , Harmony said, “Dissonance, lots of Lord Sols in the world needing a comeuppance.”
Grandmother Iline said, “Let’s just pray they survive their education.”
Here is another story about Susannah Stewart and her best friend, Merriam Webster.
Teller of Tales
Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.
Theodore Roosevelt
Always be a first-rate version of yourself.
Audrey Hepburn