Many years ago, among the tribes of the Native Americans, there was shared a story of a young child, a Native American boy that became lost while chasing the most beautiful butterfly he had ever seen. Each time he tried to grab the butterfly, it would briskly flutter away. If only he could catch that elusive butterfly, the other children of the tribe would be so envious! He continued through the forest, not understanding that he was going farther and farther away from the rest of his people.
He chased the butterfly into a field. He ran faster and jumped, missing his prey, just barely out of reach. Suddenly, as again he jumped, he was knocked backwards and stunned. He did not immediately realize what had happened. As he looked up, his dream of catching his prey shattered as he saw the butterfly flutter over a massive stone wall!
He looked around and began to notice that he was in a strange place. He had no idea of where he was. He had been so focused on his dream all was lost. He thought that if only he could reach the other side of the wall, he would be safe and return to his family. He tried climbing the wall and with each attempt he would fall and hurt himself. He continually and repeatedly pounded the wall with hope of breaking through and achieving his freedom! Each time the wall stood firm, unmoving, cold and solid. The young boy would stop and cry and wish and dream of the day he could get over the wall and return to his people.
As the days progressed, so did his obsession to get over the wall. The days became months and continually he pounded and screamed and made every attempt to conquer the wall. Unknowingly the wall became the reason for his survival. He hunted the animals that scurried along the wall with the same hope of reaching the other side. In the heat of the summer, the wall provided the shade from the sun and the cool stone became a comfort from the blazing heat.
The months became years and the young man's obsession to conquer the wall lessened. He began to understand that if he were to survive in this cruel and heartless region in which he was trapped, he would have to make that survival happen.
One day he reached down for a wild turkey that he had just killed with a piece of rock from the wall. At that moment, he noticed in the distance what seemed to be the end of the wall! The emotions that welled up from deep inside his body were more than he thought he could bear. He ran, swift as the wind, stumbling and falling and back on his feet. All the while, his keen eyes focused intensely on the end of the wall!
As he was reaching the end, he looked back at the unyielding wall. The glance brought different feelings, feelings of security and an understanding of his surroundings. He understood that his freedom was just ahead. Just minutes away he would leave the security and shelter of the cold, hard, unmovable and unconquerable wall! Close to the end he slowed and finally stopped. One last look back at the memories of the years at the wall, ready to step into the unknown world where others may be. Will they remember him? Will they embrace and comfort him? These thoughts were bombarding him; similar to the way he had continually bombarded that massive stone wall.
As he started forward into the unknown future, the sky darkened and a threatening cloud appeared overhead. He instinctively started to run to the wall for shelter. Suddenly a strong majestic voice thundered through the heavens! "My child", the voice roared! "When you were but a boy, I noticed you one day chasing your dream of catching that most beautiful butterfly". "So intent on chasing your dream, you threw caution to the wind". "You came dangerously close to the edge of a vast ravine". "A ravine so deep that if you would have fallen, you would surely be dead!" "It was I that put up that wall", the voice said calmly. "To protect you, my child, to protect you from harm". "To provide you with food and shelter so your body could grow strong and your mind become focused on your need for survival until one day you become a man". "Today you are a man!" "Go into the future with the understanding that you can survive and also with the knowledge that if you would have just followed the wall instead of your constant dedication to go over, you would have realized that the wall was gently curving, winding it's way back to your people". "Hold fond memories of the wall, my son, for it was only there for your protection and guidance".
