It was the end of a Great cycle. All the creatures of the Earth gathered in a Circle of Life around the great fire of Truth. In the darkness of night, it was the fire which illumined all within its Light. All those gathered faced the Creator of All That Is as the eternal flames reflected only Truth upon those gathered together.
“Welcome my beloved children, spoke the Creator of All. I ask you all now to reflect within the light of Truth, which gifts you as a race have brought to the planet and to those who share its life in this great cycle of time which is now near its ending?”
There was deep silence as all looked within their hearts to seek through Truth and the Light of Illumination. The lion stepped forward more fully into the Light and was the first to speak.
“Beloved Creator, from my heart, I have brought the world the gift of Courage. I fear no other adversary and rule my lands with pride and strength of heart and have served my race well.” The lion stepped back once more within the circle.
It was the turn next of the eagle.
“Beloved Light of Love, I have brought to the planet the gift of Higher Perspective, for I alone can soar the highest realms of light and see the world below me from the greatest heights. I see the greater picture and use that knowledge in my daily life.” The eagle returned within the great circle.
Next it was the turn of the ant.
“Great Creator of All That Is, I have brought to the planet the gift of Industry, for I never cease my labours except to rest. I work continually for the good of my fellow ants and will struggle to carry burdens far greater than myself upon my back without complaining.”
The ant returned to the circle.
Elephant then stepped forward.
“My gift is one of great strength and resilience. I cherish all my family and remember well all that I have known in my lifetime. In particular I have served man well by harnessing my strength for his use.”
Elephant returned to the circle.
The next to step forward was the dog.
“Great Creator, my gift to the planet has been to show unconditional love and loyalty to those I love most dearly. In particular I have served man and shown him these qualities of my heart.” Then dog returned to the circle.
Next it was the turn of the bee.
“Great Creator, I have shown how to make the impossible possible. Aerodynamically I should not be able to fly, and yet I have shown that anything is possible if the will to succeed is there. I work industriously at all times in harmony and with like mind for the greater good of the hive. I have fed many life forms with my golden nectar, honey, including man.” Having spoken, bee returned to the circle.
In turn, each creature spoke, sharing the gifts brought in individuality. All who listened marvelled at the beauty and uniqueness reflected by each species, and their place within the great cycle of life. The last to speak was man, who stepped forward, reluctantly.
“Great Creator of all that is, I have looked within my heart with the light of Truth, and I see that I have brought to the planet greed, selfishness, hatred and corruption. I have caused suffering to my own kind as well as to those other life forms which share this sacred space. I have ravaged the planet with little thought of the consequences for my own kind or for those other life forms whom I have not served well. I have brought everything to the brink of destruction. I have been custodian of all that is noble and magnificent, and I have failed in my sacred duty.
Weeping, man stepped back within the circle of life.
The other creatures observed, listened but did not judge, for man had already judged himself.