LONG, LONG AGO

Once upon a time long long ago there was a girl that made a terrible mistake. She left home without blowing out the candle burning in her room. The house burnt down and her Mother died in the flames. She returned home later that evening to an empty space of where there house used to be.

She ran to the nearest neighbors desperatly seeking their help admitting her guilt. They took her to the authoroties. She was thrown into jail for she admitted her guilt. The following morning the whole town came to request her death for her deed. She was brought before the King. The King took into consideration that she was forgetful and did not do it on purpose but sentenced her to fifteen years imprisonment.

After serving her sentence she was released. The whole town did not forget nor forgive. The walls she build became higher and higher. She did not have any place to go. She fled to the mountains staying in a cave.
Although to the naked eye perfectly healthy, in her minds eye both her arms were broken her legs limping as if they were severely broken at a stage. Her heart hung from her body the deep cuts clearly visible.

The years passed and slowly all the people passed away. They got to heaven and was seated in a big courtroom. The girl entered dressed in a shiny silver dress with light glowing around her. The Judge called her  to appear in front of him. The dreadful nights events played off in front of her and she bowed her head with tears streaming down her face. He told her that she was forgiven and set her free. He said that her remorse and sorrow was heard in her prayers and that she already served her sentence. The fellow citizens of the town watched in amazement as she walked out into the most beautiful green pastures.

The judge then called each of the citizens one by one. Playing the recordings of how they spat on this girl. How they made jokes and called names to her face. How they broke her and cut her open. He further showed them their unforgivenes. Some bowed their heads in shame but others protested. We did not do anything wrong she was the felon. She committed the highest crime she caused her mothers death, therefore she has the blood on her hands and you let her into heaven? The judge spoke with firm words " She had remorse and begged forgiveness. You committed the highest of crimes, you committed first degree murder. You killed this girl's whole being, her entire life was taken". With these words each one received their sentence they had to serve.

As the girl walked looking at the flowers gazing at the most beautiful scenery she has ever seen, she felt a comfort a deeper knowledge that she for once accepted herself. She forgave herself for her mistake. In the mist a figure came over and held her so tight she could hardly breathe. Her voice hardly audible, "Mother.....".