Self and Shadow
A Short Story by A.M.Brown
She was getting ready. A big event to attend. She gazed into the clear waters of the lake to set her nose-pin straight. As She saw her shadow, She smiled. “Following me?” “You are looking so beautiful, I’m just trying to take in every detail.” “Will you come with me?” “Always.” “ Well follow me, stay close.”
They walked together. She and Her shadow. She lead, He followed. She spent the day busy with her tasks. Her shadow was always close by. Sometimes short, sometimes tall, sometimes to Her left and sometimes to Her right.
Soon, the work was done and it was time to head home. She stood up. Shadow was right there, ahead of Her. Ready to lead Her home. They walked together. She and Her shadow. He lead, She followed.
A few days later, He was gathering his things, getting ready. A big event to attend. He looked down into the clear waters of the lake to check his countenance. As He saw his shadow, He smiled. “Following me?” “You are looking so beautiful, I’m just trying to take in every detail.” “Will you come with me?” “Always.” “ Well follow me, stay close.”
They walked together. He and His shadow. She lead, He followed. She spent the day busy with his tasks. His shadow was always close by. Sometimes short, sometimes tall, sometimes to His left and sometimes to His right.
Soon, the work was done and it was time to head home. He stood up. Shadow was right there, ahead of Him. Ready to lead Him home. They walked together. He and His shadow. She lead, He followed.
This was how they always moved around. Shadow and Self, Self and Shadow. Never always leading, never just following. Each secure in their space. Each aware of their self and thankful for their shadow.
One day, they were invited to attend an event at the home of a devotee. They went together. She as Her self, with Him as Her shadow. He as Himself with Her as His shadow. After the meal had been served and eaten; the devotees gathered around Her and Him. “Why is our shadow following us the whole day and then suddenly begins to lead us home as the day ends?”, one devotee queried. “Your shadow is a part of you. When you are busy, when you are safe, when you are in the bright clear light and cans see for yourself…your shadow just follows or stays by your side. When the day wanes, when you are surrounded by people who do not respect your ‘self’ or your ‘space’, when they move in too close and block the light; your shadow moves ahead, takes the lead and tries to take you home or just covers you to protect you.”, She explained. “Where did we get these shadows from? Did you send them?” “When the Sun disowned his shadow because he was so sure of his brightness and prowess; she came to us. She felt so unwanted. We sent her to you. She has the task to give a shadow to each of you and help you mark your ‘space’ and identify your ‘self’. As long as you and your shadow move together and you do not try to step into someone else’s ‘space’ marked by their shadow; each of you shall stay safe.” Satisfied that there was a reason behind the protective cover of their shadows, the devotees happily went about their lives and respected each other’s and their own ‘self’ and ‘shadow’.
Many years later, She sat by the lake. Shadow was right behind. “What is wrong with them? They are ripping through each other, trampling their shadows, setting into each other's space and violating their own and other ‘selves’!!” She was distraught. “They have forgotten what you taught them. It is best to stand back and wait. Either they will remember what they were taught or all will be over and we can begin anew…” He sounded calmer than he felt, His voice hurt and worried. “But the acid burns through their ‘self’ not just their ‘face’; the rip of their veil ‘rapes’ their ‘space’ not just their ‘body’ and the shadows have become shrouds for all the soldiers fighting these useless wars….” She couldn’t speak and broke down. “Look carefully…some of them are still trying their best to be as we told them to be…kind and mindful of themselves and others. Maybe the others will hear their voices…” He consoled Her. “So we do nothing?” She asked with whatever little hope she had hoarded in Her heart. “ We are already doing something…” “What?” “Nothing…that is something in itself…leaving them to fend for themselves…at least this stance of nothingness will bring them to their senses…before the fires burn everything and before the fumes choke everyone and before they destroy self and shadow forever!”
