‘WORDS OF WISDOM’

A SHORT STORY OF REFLECTION BY LAZARUS CARPENTER

Image kindly provided by Gill Brooks

Lazarus sat cross-legged on the forest floor, with a book open in his hands. He had always been fascinated by bibliomancy, the art of divination through books. He had spent years studying various texts and had become quite skilled at interpreting the messages he found within them. As he sat there, the sounds of the forest surrounding him, he focused his mind on his question. He had been struggling with a difficult decision and was hoping to find some guidance from the book in his hands. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then opened the book at random. His eyes scanned the page until they landed on a passage that seemed to jump out at him.

“Follow your heart,” the words read, “and trust in your instincts. The path may be difficult, but it will lead you to where you are meant to be.”

Lazarus felt a sense of relief wash over him as he read the words. It was as if the book had been written specifically for him and his situation. He closed his eyes again and sat in silence for a few moments, letting the message sink in. When he opened his eyes, he knew what he needed to do. He stood up, closed the book, and took a deep breath of the forest air. He felt more at peace than he had in weeks. Lazarus walked out of the forest that day with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. He knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but he trusted that it would lead him to where he was meant to be. And with the guidance of his trusty book, he was ready to face whatever lay ahead. Looking up at the sun he watched for clouds in a cobalt-blue sky but none were there, and with the wind at his back he strode on toward the future.