"The Valley of the Caves" What do You think of This? Your Opinion is Very Appreciated!

You are driving along in the middle of the desert. Things outside the car are very hot and very dry. You have about two hours to go to get to your next destination. A dry mouth, tingle in your throat, and empty plastic water bottle on your seat tell you that you probably didn't drink enough water before leaving to give you a good, comfortable ride. You feel pretty thirsty.

There is a mountain looming, and your background in topography tells you that there is in fact a stream of most likely pure water running atop it. You know, though, that to take your car up is really impossible and climbing would take more time than driving on, and a lot more exertion. You round a corner and behold, you see a valley in front of the mountain. It is rife with caves. Using your topography knowledge, you can tell that the stream flows underground down the mountain and behind the entrance to several, but not all, of the caves.

Yes! Looks like fresh water is within your grasp and pretty easy to get. You park and climb down the small valley, and pick out a cave that you believe has the stream in it. The entrance looks very attractive. For some reason, you remember the curves and rocks in front of it. It's just so inviting. You bend down and climb through. You hear the rush of the water. You scrape knees and bang elbows, but you get to where you can see the water...but there are stalagmites reaching to the ceiling and a gulf beyond. You can't get to the water.

No problem. You turn and climb back out, then search for another cave where the water would be. Again, it looks inviting. You remember the entrance and want to kiss it. Again, you bang yourself up and finally fall in front of a very small bank along the underground stream. You dunk your face in it. Ahhh! Clean. Crisp. Your mouth and throat thank you!

After a few gulps, you lean back complacent. You realize, with your cold comfort, that you probably could have finished your trip with not much more difficulty. Oh well. You smile. You have what you want now.

That thirsty feeling visits again, and you bend down...then hear it. A loud crashing sound. You turn and roll, just in time to see a cave in occur. When the dust is almost dwindled to the ground, you notice that a wall fell between you and the stream. But you are still thirsty! What do you do?

Outside once more, you see yet another cave with the stream in it. This one looks different from the second one, which looked different from the first, but it looks so very much attractive!!! The gentle curves inviting you in. The rocks on the ground just asking you to use them for steps. You happily climb in and to the stream, again with a few bangs. Again, there is the stream. Yet again, you taste the water. It is gold to your body. You take your time and fill up, then fill up your plastic bottle you brought with you. More than enough. You are elated, comfortable, content.

Your drive home is sweet.

Of course you may know, this story is completely symbolic. If you would allow me, I would like to explain it without any implication that people are things are to be used. I'll explain it more fully as I go...

The caves are people. The water is what people want from people. The attraction is how we give more importance to some people above others. Every time we give importance to one person above another---think about it---we want something from that person. The water. Respect. Approval. A secure money flow into the home. Love. Sex. Inclusion. Information. We know people all around us in different positions that accord to our own position. A spouse to a spouse. An employer to an employee. A friend to a friend. A driver to another driver. We have roles for all those around us, and they are those roles because of our roles.

People are of course people, and not things---not caves. Everyone is complex and valuable to others.

*BUT here is the key to the story: People by themselves are just the same as you and me. The treasures we want are spread among many people. If you don't get respect or Love or inclusion from one person, IT IS THERE IN ANOTHER. Sometimes it takes a bit of hunting and matching someone to your own personality, but it is ALWAYS there. The world is huge and rich with diversity, and your treasure is there, in abundance, among the right people.

That's about it. I'll stop here. Hope you enjoyed the symbolic story and the explanation! As i said in the title, any input at all is very, very welcome!

Oh, one other thing form the story! The complacency after the second cave? That's supposed to tell you that perhaps your treasure might not be as valuable as you think it is once you have it. :) Just a thought I threw in.

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