Once upon a time, but not so long ago, six Magnificent Makers gathered atop a very high hill. They buzzed like flies with tales of their travels. For years, they had walked their separate paths upon the earth, trying to befriend all creatures. But sadly, no wild animal could approach them without becoming tame, and no human could look at them without becoming crazed. So powerfully did the light shine out from the Makers, it instantly and forever changed the nature of every living thing they met. Huddled there on the hilltop, these six lonely Makers brainstormed what might be done. “Let us disguise ourselves in magic cloth,” suggested the Maker of Weaving, spinning a great ball of yarn. “Let us charm all creatures with an entrancing tune,” sang the Maker of Music, giving a trill on the flute. “Let us plant poppies around their living places,” mused the Maker of Blooms, braiding a garland of lilacs. “When they fall asleep, we can visit them in dreams!” “Let a beautiful spell be cast,” rhymed the Maker of Poetry, “that all living things might love us at last!” “Let us cover our faces with paint,” proposed the Maker of Art, juggling a set of brushes. “Let us blaze a trail to paradise,”declared the Maker of Journeys, “where every creature learns to love its own light.”
These six Makers talked and thought, and thought and talked, until finally they agreed on a plan: Before they would walk one step more upon this earth, they would send a messenger to prepare the way. This messenger would be like no other creature: more wild, yet somehow also more tame; more sane, yet somehow also more crazy—crazy in love with the world. The Makers began their work, forming the messenger’s body from the enchanted dust of the hill. When they finished, they propped it up against an ancient tree. “You,” they declared, “will be known as Clown." Then the Maker of Weaving said, “Let there be cloth.” And a bright green and yellow costume appeared on Clown’s body, puffing in the breeze. The Maker saw that it was good and blessed Clown, saying, “Wear your garment well. When it rips, show the world that love has an endless supply of patches to mend the torn.” And there was morning and evening, the first glorious day in the creation of Clown. Then the Maker of Music said, “Let there be an instrument.” And a small guitar appeared under Clown’s arm, its strings glinting in the sun. The Maker saw that it was good and blessed Clown, saying, “Play your music well. When your guitar goes out of tune, show the world that love can harmonize even the sourest of notes.” And there was morning and evening, the second glorious day in the creation of Clown. Then the Maker of Blooms said, “Let there be a flower.” And a yellow daisy appeared, sprouting like a tassel from the tip of Clown’s green cap. The Maker saw that it was good and blessed Clown, saying, “Tend your flower well. When its dead petals fall, show the world that love will always grow again.” And there was morning and evening, the third glorious day in the creation of Clown. Then the Maker of Poetry said, “Let there be a mouth.” And beneath Clown’s big red nose, a mouth appeared that smiled and frowned at the very same time. The Maker saw that it was good and blessed Clown, saying: Speak well, though you have no voice. Through pranks and jests tell the world how love rejoices when by its spell any heart is blessed. And there was morning and evening, the fourth glorious day in the creation of Clown. Then the Maker of Art said, “Let there be vision.” And two purple-star eyes, still closed in sleep, appeared on Clown’s white-painted face. The Maker saw that it was good and blessed Clown, saying, "Watch earth’s creatures well. When you are saddened by what you see, show the world how love can transform suffering into unexpected grace.” And there was morning and evening, the fifth glorious day in the creation of Clown. Then the Maker of Journeys said, “Let there be shoes.” And huge floppy yellow shoes appeared on Clown’s feet. The Maker saw that it was good and blessed Clown, saying, “Wear your shoes well. When you stumble and fall, show the world how love picks you up and leads you ever forward.” And there was morning and evening, the sixth glorious day in the creation of Clown. So it was that Clown came to be.
On the seventh day, the Magnificent Makers celebrated what they had created together with feasting, song—all manner of amusements. At last, one by one, they drifted into a deep and satisfied sleep. As the Makers slumbered, the eighth day dawned over the rim of the world. The sunlight of morning tiptoed over the clouds and kissed the enchanted hilltop. A tear of joy slipped from the corner of one purple-star eye. Gently, sweetly, that great tear slid down a painted cheek. It dropped onto the ground, to bless the waiting earth. It was then that Clown stirred with a yawn— And sighed— And stretched— And stood— And started down the hill . . .
The Gentle Nudge
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Excellent story, Phyllis! I so love that "good and blessed Clown" and the Makers who give Clown so much... not least those marvelous "huge floppy yellow shoes." Wonderful!
The last sentence here filled my eyes….. “The Maker saw that it was good and blessed Clown, saying, “Wear your shoes well. ❤️When you stumble and fall, show the world how love picks you up and leads you ever forward.” ❤️
Love carries us through…….