Steps dissolve in mist,
Ancient echoes guide your feet,
Spirit hums the tune.
Labyrinth of stars,
Threads of fate entwined in dust,
Unseen doors appear.
Not the path you gift,
But the art of weaving worlds,
Taught through whispered winds.
Once, in a small village at the edge of an ancient forest, there lived a child named Kai. Every morning, Kai would wake to the sounds of birds singing and the distant murmur of a stream that wound its way through the village. Like the generations before him, Kai’s parents had built their lives around the land, following a path laid out by their ancestors. “This is the way,” his mother would say, “a gift from those who came before us.” His father would nod, “Honor the path, for it leads to wisdom and peace.”
One day, Kai’s parents took him to the entrance of the sacred community labyrinth, its winding walls stretching beyond what his eyes could see. They handed him a smooth stone engraved with a symbol, a plus sign with dots, which had been passed down through the family. “This symbol is called the Life Seed, and this stone will guide you. Plant it within your heart where it will grow,” his father whispered. “Follow the steps we have taken, and you will be safe.”
So, Kai began his walk, holding the stone tightly. For a while, the path felt comfortable and safe, knowing his parents and others had walked here before. But then there came a quiet longing, which stirred within him, a curiosity about what might exist beyond the path he had been given.
As he wandered deeper into the labyrinth, he noticed a shadow passing over him from an eagle soaring with wings outstretched. The large bird circled once, then landed silently on a nearby branch, fixing its piercing eyes on him. Kai had learned from the village elders that Great Spirit often took the form of Eagle to guide those who were ready and who were seeking deeper wisdom. He then felt an unspoken message in the bird’s gaze: to honor those who were here before but to trust his instincts and explore with passion. Eagle was encouraging him to find something new. So, Kai looked around and saw a small opening in the labyrinth wall, half-hidden by vines. With a deep breath he calmed his anxieties, then he stepped through and onto a new path.
With Eagle watching and protecting, Kai found himself in a place he had never seen. The trees here stood taller, whispering secrets in the wind, and the earth under his feet felt untouched. Although in a new and strange place, Kai knew he was and would continue to be guided and protected.
Eventually, Kai found familiar landmarks and soon came back to the entrance of the labyrinth. His parents were surprised to see him approach from an unexpected opening in the trees. But as he came near, they could see the sparkle of Eagle in his eye and the quiet confidence in his stride. And so, they smiled with understanding. “The labyrinth we gave you is not a gift to possess,” his mother said softly, “but a guide for you to build your own. Great Spirit will show the way and protect you, but it is, and always will be, your own path to build.”
Years later, Kai stood at the entrance once more, now with his own daughter by his side. He handed over the smooth, engraved stone, with the plus sign and dots, and pointed to the sky, where Eagle soared in the distance. “This is our family’s gift, passed to me when I was your age,” Kai said gently. “But the true gift is this: Great Spirit, your ancestors, and I will guide and protect you through this ancient labyrinth, but you must find the courage and passion to also build your own paths to happiness.” And with this his young daughter excitedly stepped through the opening and into her own journey.
This is my journey
— Nate Long “Owl”