Batman & Potatoes
LaLaLanders
here is a story to tell. It is a story about a little lamp. Long ago, a certain group of people lived. They were tall and elegant and moved like dancers. One of the many tasks they enjoyed was the making of lamps. These lamps were beautifully made, having a curved frame and multi-paned crystal pieces which allowed candle light to glow softly out into the night. The crystal pieces were shaped in a graceful manner, allowing the leading to bend around them in a pleasing way. These lamps were sought after and if you were fortunate enough to find one or, better yet, have one given to you by these lovely people, you thanked your lucky stars.
This is the story about one of these precious lamps. This particular lamp was made with the greatest of delicacy. The frame of this little lamp was finely made. In the corners of the rounded contour, vines wrapped their stems and leaves in tight curves, bending and twisting in a flowing fashion. The smallest of delicate crystals was polished and fitted amongst the lushness of the vines. When a beeswax candle was lit within, the softest light sprang forth, defusing into many pastel colors resulting in a magical and romantic ambiance. When one gazed upon the beauty of this little lamp, a long sigh was heard.
The little lamp was created by a young pair of these people. They were male and female and called themselves "life partners". The term "marriage" was not used by these people. They bonded for life and even after the death of one, the other did not remarry. While bonded in this life, the commitment continued into eternity.
Together, they created this particular little lamp and were the makers of many other lamps. Each had a special skill and their lamps were known throughout the land.
For many periods of time, the little lamp was treasured and kept within the home of the lamp makers. They loved the way the light from the little lamp projected colors and dancing forms out into the velvet softness of the night. The little lamp was very happy and twinkled just as the stars. For these people were the People of the Stars, and the lamps they made were priceless beyond measure.
But time passed and after many seasons had slowly drifted by, one into the next, a new people arose. They perceived themselves to be great and in many ways, they were. Although not as tall and graceful as the people who lived before, they became very knowledgeable (but not astute). They were doers but not thinkers and they had no use for the beauty in the world around them. Perhaps, only a passing thought was given to the natural world but most of the time they used that world to fill their own ends. The People of the Stars passed on and most of the appreciation of the world around them, passed with them.
In the process of the change, the little lamp was dropped and abandoned into a large pile of leaves under a very large tree. Saddened, the little lamp lay, quiet and dark, wondering what would happen to it.
Early one morning, while out hunting, one of the new people happened upon the little lamp. It so happened that a curved corner of the lamp was visible near a pile of decayed leaves. Curious by the look of the protruding object, the man moved leaves and dirt and lifted the little lamp out of the debris. He turned it one way and then another, eying it with amusement. Thinking that it may be useful, he tucked it under his arm and carried it to his shelter.
For many years, the little lamp lived back in the dusty corner of the man's shelter. It was very sad because it knew that it had the ability to shine forth with lovely radiance. One day, a woman discovered the little lamp. She cleaned it up the best she could but she was a bit slow in her thinking and could not figure out what the little lamp was. She had not a clue that this special little lamp was a thing of great beauty and was capable of glowing with the light of the stars. These new people were not interested in stars, or anything in the natural world that bespoke of loveliness or beauty. They had it in their minds that they, themselves, produced objects that were attractive to them and it never occurred to them that the simplicity of pure beauty already surrounded them.
