| The young man stood on the steps of the library, | | | | "The ultimate measure of a person is not where |
| waiting for it to open. | | | | they stand when things are going well. |
| The librarians, three elderly ladies sedately dressed | | | | It is where they stand when things are not going |
| and whispering even amongst themselves, came | | | | well. When challenge affects them. |
| at the appointed hour, unlocked the door, and | | | | When controversy stalks them. |
| went in. | | | | "One who is truly alive in mind will risk position, |
| Ten minutes later, after completing their opening | | | | prestige, and everything else to make a dream |
| ritual, they decided to open the door five minutes | | | | come true. |
| earlier to let the young man in. | | | | "And one who is awoken in spirit, will lift the |
| "How may we help you?" asked one of the ladies. | | | | bruised and beaten neighbor to a higher and more |
| "It is I who have come to help you," he said. | | | | noble life with their special talent, their gift to the |
| "Please gather your colleagues around, I'd like to | | | | world. |
| speak to them as well." | | | | "Those who are alive in mind and awoken in spirit |
| "I'm sorry, young man," said the librarian sternly, | | | | are happy. They have the capacity to feel deeply. |
| "we don't accept sales solicitations." | | | | They enjoy simply. They think freely. They risk |
| "It's not about selling," he said. He showed her a | | | | everything because they need nothing more than |
| sacred symbol, which he pulled out of his coat | | | | to follow their special dream. |
| pocket. It gleamed in the small branch library with | | | | "Now ladies, I will be back someday. And |
| an eerie glow. | | | | whenever I return, it will always be too early. |
| The librarian turned still and pale, her breathing and | | | | "Instead I have come to tell you that the risk it |
| her heartbeat quickened almost instantly. | | | | takes to repress your passion and talent will |
| "Mary and Jean," she snapped, "You had better | | | | become more painful with each passing year. It is |
| come here quickly. He has a message for us." | | | | time for you to risk bloom before I return again. |
| Once they were all gathered in a little circle, the | | | | With those ominous closing words, he disappeared |
| mysterious young man made his speech. | | | | into thin air. |
| "Many people die while still alive. They live an | | | | Gretchen woke up, gasping for air. "What's the |
| unlived life. They live in fear of falling, and never | | | | matter," asked her husband who saw her panic. |
| rise. They inhabit their days in as safe a way as | | | | He was knotting up his tie and had come into the |
| possible. They do not allow their living to happen. | | | | room to wake her up. |
| They are afraid, inaccessible, with tight feelings in | | | | "I had a dream." |
| their chest as they suppress their emotions. They | | | | "Oh, just a dream. You'll get over it soon enough. |
| do not choose to risk their significance. They | | | | Come on, get dressed, I'll drop you off at the |
| watch with surprise and an element of dismay as | | | | library." |
| others take the seed of an idea and make it | | | | "I'm not going back there anymore," said |
| bloom and go to fruit. | | | | Gretchen. "It's time for me to start the life that |
| "Every year that passes, they are convinced that | | | | I've always wanted to live. I've got to start my |
| the fault is not their own. It lies in the love that | | | | writing life and start it today." |
| they have not been given. Their sorrow is due to | | | | "You have to go to work, honey," he protested. |
| the talent that they have but that no one | | | | "It wasn't an ordinary dream, Steve," she said. "It |
| encourage them to use. | | | | was very crisp and clear, like it was really |
| "In trying to avoid pain, they miss happiness. In | | | | happening. It was more like a visitation and a |
| trying to be prudent, they shirk adventure and | | | | warning." |
| the growth that comes with it as they encounter | | | | "It's too late to be a great novelist," he said, rolling |
| new people, new experiences, and new learning. | | | | his eyes. "We have bills to pay. Please hurry up, I |
| "They live on a short rein. Afraid of what might | | | | have to go to work, too." |
| happen if they test their leash out to the fullest. | | | | "Steve, you don't understand. I met the angel of |
| They conform, just in case they have no leash | | | | death. |
| and are free after all. | | | | |