by A. Non

Created on: September 14, 2010

They gathered, sprayed in scattered orbit about Beela. Like all children, the eldest sat apart while the youngest ached for attention.

The mother began her tale.
“In a place near, in a time recent, there was a family with a great mother. The children minded their mother in their travels and deeds. The mother cared for them, giving life and light in the dark and cold. Knowing the story of a mother, she held her children tightly when young and loosely when mature. The mother, knowing the story of all mothers, asked for nothing in return.

“One day, the greatest of the mother’s children pushed away.

The mother said: ‘Great Son, do not push too far, or I can not feed you my strength.

The child said: ‘I am your greatest child, Mother. I can move without you.’

He pushed to the edge of her reach, where distant children dwell.

The mother said: ‘Great son, do not pull too far, or I can not light your way.’

The child said: ‘I am your greatest child, Mother. I should go further than my brothers and sisters.’

The mother said: ‘Great child of mine, sometimes the larger need the smaller.’

The child ignored her and pulled further, almost beyond the sight of the family.

The child taunted: ‘Look at me Mother. I am as great as you. I can have greater children, even larger than my weak siblings.’

The mother said: ‘Great child of mine, do not push too far...’

Her voice grew faint.

The youngest shivered, coiled about Beela. She continued.

“Her son began to drift, lost in the cold and dark. He was unable to pull himself back to company of his family. She called upon her children, to add their strength to hers, and to keep the Lost Brother from spinning into the void. The brothers and sisters added their strength to the mothers; their brother circling in the mute darkness.”

The youngest asked “Can that happen?”

Beela smiled and turned her gaze to the reaches of space.

“Yes child, if you become to proud of your gravity or spurn your orbit. Respect your mother and remember your place among your brothers and sisters.

The youngest looked out into the vastness, and saw the echo of sadness, spinning.

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