Life

Life.  

           It was a beautiful day. The sun shone in a cloudless sky and the ducks swimming in the lake and birds sang in the still trees. On a hillside, a black and white eagle was feeding her young. Nearby, a fox was squeezing into its hole with a small animal for the family supper. It would be a wonderful evening sunset.

Life was standing there, taking it all in. "What a glorious day! Nature at her finest!" He thought.

Occasionally a seagull flew across the line of vision.

"What are you doing here?" He turned around and saw Time and Force. As they were all on a break the three of them sat down and began chatting.

Running his hand through the water, time remarked on how calm the lake was.

"Yes, it is," sighed life. "But I'm always too busy to notice."

"That's true, "time said. "I've been here lots of times but I rarely see you. What about you, Force?"

"I think the last time was when you were able to stand on your own two feet."

"You were always shady. I can't understand you."

"It takes time to understand him," intervened Life.

Life playfully splashed some water on Force's face. "Is that true?"

"I do my job. What do you think?"

"I'm not judging you," Life said.

"Let's just say that everything changes over time, "Force said.

Puzzled, Life muttered, "I really don't understand."

"Look at him. His name's Time. What does that tell you? Everything runs and changes with him. Everything is subject to him, both things and people, animate and inanimate objects. People are born, they marry and then they die (hatch, match, and dispatch) to his beast. Wars, revolution, regime change are all inextricably linked to him." Glancing up at Time, he continued, "Nothing happens without you. Everybody needs you"

Time chuckled."And what about you, Force? Do you need me too?"

"Yes, certainly. When the world was created, I was just a bit of fire, a bullet in your belly. I don't know what happened but I exploded and was free. But I was still inside you, Time!."

"What a wonderful imagination! You say such nice things. I really didn't know who I was.

"Is it true, Life?"

"You became funny, too," replied Life. He looked at Time and grinned. "I think Force is overstating things."

Time made a scared face. "Now, now, be careful what you're saying. He's a bullet of fire, didn’t hear him? He might burn you if he gets angry!"

"No, I wouldn't do that," said Force Indignantly "I'm strong enough to build, rather than destroy."

"Maybe you were strong once, but not now." Life said.

"Are you kidding me?" Force looked at Life.

"Look, I'm the Emperor of Creation. I decide on everything - even you." Life said.

"No, no! You only control the weak, not me. You're just the Emperor of Weakness," Force declared.

"This is very interesting. I'd like to see who controls whom!" Time cried.

"Why don't we wrestle for it?" Life asked Force.

"OK, but wouldn't it be better to just relax here on this lovely day?"

Life took off his jacket. "Come on, let's do this. I want to use my energi to alter time."

Force threw his jacket down as well. "Come on then, Life. But aren't you too old to wrestle? You're not strong enough."

"I can look after myself," said Life through gritted teeth.

They began to grapple with each other, whilst Time looked on.

Life, out of condition, was soon blowing hard. "Give up?" asked Force.

"Never! I'm the Emperor, remember? Without me, all living things will die."

"You'll never win. No energy, no life. You're just not fit enough. Look at that belly! Your reactions aren't as quick as mine."

Life grabbed Force and hoisted him above his own shoulders. He asked Force if he'd submit but before he got a reply he dropped Force.  Doubled up in pain and clutching his heart, Life sobbed. "My ticker....it's my ticker"

"Sorry, you lost, my friend." Force sat down by his vanquished rival."I'm the same Force I ever was but you're not the same Life. I didn't want to hurt you."

"Can I take you with me?" Life asked the Force.

"I wish I could but I can't." Turning to Time, Force said, "I'm sorry but he just didn't have enough energy."

Time clapped Force on the shoulder."Don't worry my friend. There's a new Life on his way. He'll be here soon. Force looked back and saw a figure approaching in the distance. Saying goodbye to old Life. Time introduced a new Life to Force. 

"Don't waste time, Force. Converting your energy to a new life. Enjoy your life. Time is running out.
KZ