In the four corners of the earth live the four winds. From these corners they blow. The South wind brings her gentleness and blessings upon the land. The East wind brings the salt from the sea and the dream of sailing on a big ship to the land of the dreamers. The West wind brings hope of new tomorrows, and the North wind brings the lights of the Aurora Borealis to the sight of all.

Life sprang anew from breathing the air of those winds-the four that made up the breath of love, the breath of the lady Gaia. Her trees put forth new leaves and the birds sang from within them.

There was an Angel named Michael. He went out daily to walk in the garden and breathe of the good, sweet air.

The Lord spoke to him, "Michael?"

"Yes, my Lord." "I am here, listening." Michael replied.

"Take care of the humans who live on the earth. Bring them the blessings of my love. Tell them how I Am within each one of them. Ask them to call on my name, for I will hear them. Tell them to open their hearts and their minds, for love is calling them."

"I will do that, Lord," said Michael.

So, Michael went out upon the earth and walked among the people who lived there. There he found a little boy who was crying. Michael wrapped his lovely wings about the boy. He held the little one in his arms and listened to his sobs.

"Little one," said Michael, "Here is the tool to use when you are unhappy." Michael put his hand in his pocket and out came a little bird. The bird hopped and sat on his finger. "This little bird knows the song in your heart and will sing it to you so that you are no longer sad."

The bird sang and sang. The little boy reached out his hand and took the bird. With his two fingers, he held the bird so tightly that it could not breathe. He kept the air away from its voice. The bird died.

Michael looked at the bird, dead in the child's hand. "Do not still the song within yourself, Love. All need to hear your voice. All need to be carried away on the strength of your words and the love of your being. All need to have you be part of the whole." With that, Michael breathed into the bird's nostrils. The bird awoke and immediately began to sing.

The child was not amused. "Michael," he said. "I do not care if the bird sings or not. I went to sing and they told me to stop. They did not care what my voice was like. They did not want to hear it."

Michael took the child by the hands and looked lovingly into his eyes. "Come with me," he said. So Michael and the boy walked out across the world until they came to a place where there was no singing. The place was completely still. It was as quiet as could be. They waited. The boy felt his heart beating inside of himself. He wondered what would happen next. He heard the breath come into and go out of his body. He waited.

Michael folded his hands. The boy did the same.

From within the silence, the boy heard his heart speak. "I Am the one who loves you. I have always loved you." He began to cry. The tears fell from his eyes and slid down his face. He cried for a long time. Michael stood by his side.

By and by, the boy became calm. His tears stopped. The breath went into and out of his lungs...........

This parable is given to those who have given up on their hopes and their dreams. As the Group explains........

"Your gifts are given back to you, my love. You may rediscover each and every one of them. Welcome them. Do not smother any of them. We are here to love you, to stay by your side and inside your hearts. Commit yourself to the work of bringing heaven to earth and light to the child within each one. Great will be your joy when you learn to love the little bird who sings from within you. And so it is........

©Copyright 1999, Catherine M. Kasper.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]