Stolen Treasure

Once upon a time, in a land far away, a small princess born into wealth and power was captured by jealous pirates who had none (princesses, wealth, or power). Even though the princess was very small and very young, her captors feared her because of her father: the powerful, great king. Afterall, she looked just like him, which really made them shudder. They used every means of storytelling to convince her she was just a servantgirl who´s best chance at survival was in keeping them happy and doing exactly everything they said. One morning while foraging for berries in the woods, the young girl heard a song so beautiful, she stood still just to listen for a long time. The voice sang of love, and wisdom, and beauty so deep she stood weeping as it resonated through her little body. It awakened something in her she could not yet name. Setting down her basket, she waded into the water and stooped to wash her tear-stained face. As the dingy mud of servitude washed away from her she began to see a reflection in the still water: hers.

It was the first time seeing her own reflection since her capture, and her image sparked a connection deep inside her being--an ancient memory, or a knowing, or...something very different from what her captors had always taught her. She felt...guilt? Confusion? It was wrong to feel such things, to entertain such nonsense. But she could not shake it. She knew not to tell her captors, because they always scolded her for her questions and ridiculed her ideas. As the months and years wore on, the girl found herself in the woods more often--foraging, and listening. She brought home edible treasures of berries, mushrooms, and greens to share with her captors, and audible treasures of the songs she´d heard to ponder privately in her heart.

Written 11.20.2025 by Rev Kelly Stack Scott