The Little Well

“The Little Well” – Sue Lester (c) 2009

The people who created The Little Well did so lovingly, ensuring only the best foundations were laid so The Little Well would stay strong for a very long time.  Very soon The Little Well filled to the brim with pure life-giving water.  The Little Well was very happy as every day people came, lingered, chatted and laughed.  They occasionally spilt a little water, so flowers were able to grow, adding beauty and a splash of colour.  There was more than enough for everyone.

One fine day, a crow alighted on The Little Well’s edge, and after drinking his fill, he cocked his head and considered her.  “Aren’t you afraid?” he asked.  “Afraid?  Of what?” responded The Little Well.  “Well, you know that if you continue filling up so full, one day soon you’ll overflow, flooding down the hill, washing away the village – drowning them all.” With that, the crow flew off, chuckling to himself.  The Little Well was devastated, she had no idea that could happen, and she didn’t want to harm those she loved.  So, she shut off the spring which nourished her, not mentioning it to anyone.

The rains came frequently, so no one noticed anything different, and over time The Little Well even forgot she had closed down her ability to replenish herself, all because of the careless remarks of a passing crow.   Then one year the rains didn’t come.  The Little Well kept giving and giving as she had always done, allowing everyone to take whatever they needed from her.  The difference now was that her level started to drop because no water was being added.  The people noticed and became concerned.  The talk around the well each day grew more and more sombre, and the flowers dried up and died.  Eventually, all that The Little Well had inside to offer was slime, and rotting dead things in mud.  Her misery was obvious to all.

A migratory Storm Bird stopped by to drink and was amazed and concerned to find The Little Well in such bad shape.  “Help me change,” begged The Little Well.  The Storm Bird listened and talked with The Little Well, assuring her the answer was within, and she could find it, with persistence, patience and firm support.  The Little Well searched and searched inside, and whenever she was ready to give up, the Storm Bird was there for her, encouraging, pushing and motivating her to continue her quest.  In a relatively short time The Little Well uncovered the place she had blocked the spring, and set herself free in a whoosh of wet tears.  

Now she had filled herself again, and had rediscovered the secret to keeping herself full, The Little Well had enough to give others. Gradually she attracted the people back, and her life was once again filled with friendship, laughter and beauty.