Fear and Love - by N Smart

One day Love came across Fear sitting on the banks of a mighty river, gazing intently at the other shore.

‘What is it you are seeking’ asked love.

‘All my hopes and dreams lay across the river’ replied fear with a sigh.

Love looked upon fear with a puzzled expression,

‘Then why do you sit here’ she said.

‘Because I hate the water and fear I might drown’ snapped Fear

‘Then why don’t you just stay here’ enquired Love, ‘It is every bit as beautiful on this side of the river’

‘You must be crazy” barked Fear, “nothing but pain and sadness live in this barren landscape’

Love pondered Fears reply for a short time, and while she could not understand his thinking she felt compelled to offer her hand in friendship.

‘I will swim with you to the other side’ she suggested

‘But I cannot swim’ replied Fear, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

‘Then climb onto my back and I shall carry you across’ she suggested.

‘Have you lost the plot’ Fear said with a curled lip ‘The current is too strong, we will both be swept to our doom’

‘Then why don’t we use the bridge” Love replied.

‘A BRIDGE!, you’re going to build me a bridge now?’ Fear said angrily ‘I had heard that love could drive you crazy, I now see why!’

‘I have no need to build a bridge’ said Love, undaunted by Fears outburst, ‘for I believe that the bridge already exists.’

‘Then you are not only crazy but blind’ Fear sneered, ‘go away and leave me alone.’

‘As you wish’ said Love in a kind tone as she turned and walked away.

“So! You are not going to cross your imaginary bridge then’ giggled Fear sarcastically.

“I have no need to cross the river’ replied Love, ‘for my hopes and dreams live within me’

‘Then go wander this barren landscape alone’ said fear dismissively ‘I will one day cross this river and laugh at you from the other side’

Love then turned back to Fear and replied ‘You have no need to cross the river, for if you quiten your mind and listen to your heart you will see that there is no “this shore” and no “that shore” but that there is no river’

‘What a fool’ Fear thought as Love vanished from his sight.