a story in progress

"Always love, hate will get you every time, don't wait till the finish line."
-Nada Surf

Dear child, let me tell you a story so you may understand life.

In the days of magic and lore, 2 young mystics[who were once the closest of friends] fought a battle that nearly destroyed their world.

It all happened over a disagreement of the most serious kind.
The future.

You see they had each looked into their crystal balls and had seen a different vision of what was to come. So being good friends and having great respect for one another's skill; they came together to learn what the other had received about the future.

And when it came time to tell what he had seen, the first mystic said "I have seen the great apocalypse and have seen the devastation of our earth. Come we must build a shelter and a food storage because great tribulation is coming."

The other prophet was at a loss for words, but solemnly said to the other, "I disagree. For in my vision I have seen a land of great blessing flowing with plenty, and much joy abounds in the world. And what we must do is plant our fields and vineyards because the harvest will be great."

Each knew in his own heart to be right, and now having never differed on anything(other then tea flavors), both were at a loss.

"But aren't we now both great mystics having been guided right before", said one. "And yet we both feel like we have seen a vision of the future, much like those we have in the past. How then do we find ourselves at odds? Why do our visions contradict each other so? One of us must be wrong, or at least partially wrong." But neither felt it was them who mis-saw. So with nothing else to say to each other, for they were both sure of what they had seen, they left from one another's company. With this the silent war began.

Soon over time feud began to erupt, for though their friendship had been strong it would not hold against the prospects of the future. [For the future can even rip the strongest bonds apart.]

And it was so until one day a wise wizard walked through those parts. And hearing of this, one of the mystics [it matters not which, for both were tired of the feud] sought out the great wizard. The mystic had heard of the wizard's wisdom, and thought to himself "surely such a great wizard will know that I am indeed right, and he will find a great wise way to make peace with my friend"

And so the young sage found the wise wizard in the forest communing with the gods. Passionately, the young sage told the story of what had happened. But when asked for advice, the wise old wizard smiled a knowing smile. As wise old wizards often do.
"You are both wrong." said the wizard rather dispassionately
"You were stupid to put so much stake in knowing the future, when it is you and the other who will determine it."
'You are foolish to worry about what will come. Though neither of your visions are incorrect. There will be terrible famines, and there will be beautiful harvests; there will be great tribulation and there will be great joy.
But who knows when it will all come too pass, other than the gods themselves. And so I say to you, what use then is knowing the future but not knowing when it will come?
'So I say to you both now, throw out your crystal balls and enjoy each other's friendship. For that is the now.
"The heart of a good friendship is love, and when the time of famine comes[for it will come] and when the times of joy and blessings come[for they too will come] hold fast to each other's side, because through it all at least you will have a friend. First to share pain, and then to share joy. Then if a time comes when you and your companion must part; then part, but do so knowing that you traveled as far as you could with one another. --For you must not part ways only for the hope and the worry of the future."


And so my child learn from this example and examine your own heart, for I will not tell you any more of this story. No, I will not reveal if the two young future-seekers ever followed the wizard's advice, or what was the result, because that is only for the future to determine. And it hasn't been written yet.