Forlorn with Flowers and Forgiveness

Prompt: Write a story about a character finding something unexpected in the snow, grass, or water.

Secondary prompts: Start of end your story with a sensory detail (something that evokes scent, texture, taste, sight, and/or sound). Write the story about the aftermath of someone’s sacrifice.

Forlorn with Flowers and Forgiveness

The arid breeze was making breathing difficult for Mary Magdeline or Mae as her late father called her. Her nostrils flared at the scent of the earth, dust and metallic odors coming from the rocks and sand of the desert. Instinctively, she knew that her journey would be difficult. Already her lips were chapped, and her rosy cheeks were drawn tight by the unforgiving wind. Her hasty departure meant she was without many provisions for her journey to the capital city in the south. The open sandals on her feet did not protect her from the sharp particles of sand and stones that pierced her skin. For now, it did not matter to her. She was distraught and heavy in heart once she learned the horrible fate of the man she eagerly hoped one day would be betrothed to her. Her gait was quick. The man she loved had been arrested and would soon be on trial for his crimes.

The city was a long way off. Unfortunately, there was no available means to convey her to her destination. No horse, no carriage or cartage service to use. Plus, no one dared to go with her. They felt he would be dead long before she would arrive. She knew her travels would be wrought with danger. She had to walk through desolate fields and sandy hills. Snakes, scorpions and bandits lurked behind every natural rock formation waiting for unsuspecting prey. She felt so vulnerable. Tears immediately dried leaving streaks across those drawn, rosy cheeks. It was a two-day walk if she hurried. It did not matter. She would walk to the ends of the earth for him.

A few hours into her journey, the terrain became even more hostile. The winds picked up in strength. Blowing sand made it difficult to see ahead in the narrowing road. Mae knew she would have to find cover until the winds would subside. Then as though God had heard her heart, there off to the side was a small rock formation with a crevice large enough for her to wait.

She thought of the man she loved while she hid. She whispered, “O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” (1)

Just then the sun poked through the clouds above the horizon; the winds had subsided. Mae continued on her way. Nightfall would be soon upon her. She momentarily stopped taking note of something unusual amongst some roadside thistles and thorns in a small pool of water. Mae spoke as though she had a traveling companion with her.

“Such a find! I must have this pink Desert Rose flower. I will present it to my loved one once I arrive in the capital. Oh, and here is another! It’s a Black Iris! Separately, each has its own beauty. Together they are amazing and so striking, like my love whom I adore!”

The terrain changed again. The road wound along a small river. There were some palm trees. She knew she had to be extra cautious because this was likely the only source of water in the vicinity. Mae took a clay urn filling it to the brim. She drank most of it and then refilled it again, mouthing out loud these words,

“My Beloved, my lips are dry and I long for you to soften them with your kiss. The water I drink satisfies my body but only your love for me can satisfy my soul. My heart yearns for you, and I promise to see you soon. I am weak so now I rest dreaming of your caresses and sweet nudges.”

The air had become moist with a slight chill in the air. Mae laid her head on a stone gazing into the night sky. She recognized some of the clusters. Her late father showed her some of the star patterns. She then repeated some verses from the days of old that her father had taught her. A prayer to the Maker of heaven and earth.

Her words formed a vapor in the cool air of the night. “Is not God in the height of heaven? And see the highest stars, how lofty they are!” (2) “Praise Him, sun and moon, all you stars of light!” (3) Overcome by fatigue, Mae quickly fell into a deep sleep.

A rain cloud passed overhead, briefly sprinkling tiny drops onto the landscape. Mae was startled by the sensation of the drops on her face. She quickly stood up gathering her provisions. She continued her quest to make it to the capital city by dawn’s early light. She had not eaten anything and was famished. As she moved along the road, she learned that the river still followed the road which would pass near the city. More fruit trees lined the riverbank. She decided to walk the river’s edge to find something to eat. Her persistence ended up with some figs. Mae ate them as she walked toward the city, now visible at the horizon’s edge. Mae pondered aloud,

“O my Love, I am almost there! How I long for you to be in my arms. You, my Love, give so much of yourself to others. Yet we are kindred spirits that have passed through the night. I want you all for myself, but I know how much you love and care for the lost, downtrodden, and the poor of this nation. The government has accused you of treason and insurrection. But I know your heart is one of peace, joy, and compassion. Do not let them take you from my arms! I pray that they see the error of their ways and release you! Oh, my Darling, I love you so much!”

She thinks about the figs she had just eaten. She recalls a memory when they were together. He said “The fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming. Rise up my darling! Come away with me, my fair one!” (4) She becomes invigorated by the words.

Mae quickens her pace as the image of the city grows larger and larger in her eyes. Her heart races. She stumbles on her feet but quickly rights herself. She now is joined by other travelers walking into the city. A couple of women acknowledge her presence as they walk together.

One much older woman mockingly says to her, “You must have traveled far. Your clothes carry the weight of the desert road. Perhaps the house that receives you has ample water to bathe you, ha, ha.”

Another younger woman sarcastically rebukes the older one saying, “Mother, do not be so cruel. Obviously, this woman is a stranger to this city. She does look haggard and poor. Perhaps we can give her some of the table scraps before we give them to the dogs, ha, ha. Where are you from and why do you come to our city?”

Mae was not deterred by the cruelty of their words and privately forgave them. She remembered what her beloved once told her, “For if you forgive their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (5)

She said, “My name is Mary Magdeline. I live in a rural village north of the capital. I traveled to the city to see my betrothed. Presently, he is in the custody of the government for crimes I know he did not commit. I need to go to the magistrate’s house to plead for his release.”

She continued on. “He is a marvelous man, gifted in speech. He has spoken to thousands throughout this land. He speaks of love, peace, and compassion. He speaks of the dawning of a new age where there is no more war; no more hatred. But I do not understand why the authorities have arrested him?”

The older woman said, “I heard some of the people say that he will overthrow the current government. He claims his ways are better than the ruling authorities and even the religious leaders. I know we need a change, but this man’s way of doing things speak of a revolution, not peace!”

Mae responded, “I need to find him. Have you not heard of his ability to heal people? He most assuredly has healed my heart. I hope someday this man will marry me, but I am now realizing this man has a greater purpose. But if not, I know his incredible gifts will be a lifesaving salve for many people! Please dear lady I need to know where he is!”

The younger lady said, “Why do you waste your time on a criminal? There are so many rich men in the city. Many of them would gladly take you in as their maid servant. Or are you afraid of this? Perhaps these men will recognize you as the prostitute that you really are? I think this is the true reason why you came here! You are nothing more than a whore!”

Mae is stunned by the accusation. She counters saying, “No, no, no! I have truly come to find my one and only love! Please, please women of the city tell me where he is now!”

The older women smirks and harshly says “He is not here in the city. They have placed him on the hill over there.”

Mae looks to the hill. The clouds began to gather and the sky was darkening. She scrambled to the hillside. Incredulously, she gasped in horror as she arrived at the top. Between two others, her beloved mercilessly dangled on a leafless tree.

“Oh, my love, what have they done to you? Mae sputtered in grief.

She heard from him say, “It is finished.” And he gave up his spirit.

Lightning streaked across the sky. Again, the rain mixed with tears across her smudged, rosy cheeks. She wept bitterly, for herself and for others who would never know Him as a man of righteousness and enduring love.

Even though He was gone, in her heart Mae knew that a day would come when all the world would be made right through Him.

Mae planted the Desert Rose and the Black Iris at the feet of her love. She watered them with her tears, crying “Yeshua, oh my Yeshua!”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (6)

-END-

NJKV=New King James Version

NLT= New Living Translation

1 Song of Solomon 2: 14, NKJV

2 Job 22: 12, NKJV

3 Psalm 148:3, NKJV

4 Song of Solomon 2:13, NLT

5 Matthew 6: 14, NKJV

6 1Peter 1:3, NKJV

Author: Peter Gautchier

Acknowledgement: Reedsyprompts.com