the last several hours, i've been burrowed under every blanket i own, i've downed more than the recommended amount of zinc and i've gone through chills and hot, hot heat.

maybe it's the drugs, lack of sleep or overdose on zinc; but my mind has been entertaining me, and from it comes a story, an allegory of sorts.

two of the king's recently acquired staff members showed up early for their work. they took a glance at the day's agenda and saw listed, dig holes. wanting to impress the king, they set out to start their task. lacking proper tools, both he and she found themselves struggling and straining as they used paper cups to pull up rocky, rooty soil. toiling through, working up a sweat and continuing to pull up the dirt, eight ounces at a time. their conversation was disparate, sharing conversations of the struggle to live rightly, the pressure to do good and the longing to please the king. several hours passed and they began to wonder what the next step would be for these holes that they were now so deeply caught in that only the tops of their heads were discernible.

deciding that their work was most likely sufficient for what the king had required of them, they grabbed the layers they shed, empty jugs and their worn down paper cups and headed back to their provenance. as soon as they passed their first barrier, they were astonished to see that the valley had been filled with flowers. the holes to be dug were only several inches deep and into them flowers were planted, the land was stunning and brilliantly colored.

as they reached the warehouse all of the other workers were celebrating,singing, dancing and eating. as much as the boy and the girl strived to over exceed the king's expectation, they realized that they were entirely off. as they limped toward the king, himself,before they could articulate their sorrow and mishap, the king said:

"my children, it is alright, tomorrow we will work together"