Sammy's New Job

The room was quite dark and Sammy could just make out some barrels standing in a row .  He eyed them with a sense of alarm.
 The first barrel had a label on it 'Personality traits, '. He lifted the lid slightly just enough to peer inside. A sweet smelling breeze escaped ruffling his wings and enveloping him in a warm glow. Encouraged by this he lifted the lid some more and could see honest, loyal, bright, brilliant, brave and friendly, patient, understanding, all on the surface.
 Sammy put the lid back. He liked the sound of loyal, friendly and brave, also faithful, excitable and amusing.

Sammy went to the next barrel and lifted the lid right up. He reeled back in fright as a torrid pungent very unpleasant smell hit him with force. A slimy green foam was oozing over the edge. He slammed the lid back on and read the label, 'Personality traits, bad'. Sammy shivered and gritted his teeth. A noise behind him made him turn round. He could make out a shape in the corner near the other two barrels. For the first time he became aware that the last two barrels were gleaming and shining in the darkness of the room. The shape in the corner moved and Sammy called out.

' Hello, who's there?'

The shape came towards him and he could make out a long white beard and a midnight blue cloak.

With no introduction the shape spoke, warmth and calm in the voice,

'Hello Sammy we've been waiting for you.'

Sammy nodded towards the barrels.

'I'm not really sure what to do. It's so different from where I was before. I only had one barrel there and it was full of nice things .

'Sammy you've done so well that you will be just fine, follow your instincts. I'll stay with you for awhile in case you have any questions.

Sammy went back to the first barrel and looked at its contents. There was so much there, agreeable, adventurous,generous, funny, friendly, warm-hearted, kind, efficient, cheerful, positive, jovial, happy, patient, caring, loving, diligent, shy, ambitious, assertive, honest, true, faithful.. the list went on and on. Sammy felt happy just looking at them all.

Then he braced himself and took the lid off the other barrel, he held his breath and felt himself recoil, slovenly, selfish, weak, lazy, aggressive, conceited, mean, greed, envy, jealousy, hatred, he shuddered.

'Why do they have to have all these horrible traits?'

There was a sighing noise that swept round the room.

'Human beings are different.  They can be blessed with excellent qualities that bring joy and happiness to all that meet them but they all have some bad things too, some more than others, but all of them. There is one thing though that will help them be able to survive. They have the gift of free will and they can improve themselves all on their own, with their actions, their attitudes and their behaviour.'

Sammy felt confused but tried not to show it.

'You mean they are responsible for their actions attitude and behaviour? They can improve all by themselves?'

'It's a tricky thing though and I'm still working on it that's why there are those big silver and gold barrels at the end.'

'What's in them? Can I see''

'Oh yes, you must. You will use those a lot. You will have to. In the silver one is Love and in the gold one there is Forgiveness. Use them freely. They will help the human beings heal.'

Sammy walked towards the barrels and saw that there was another row behind.

'What are all those barrels for' What must I do?'

A gust of wind swept into the room and the midnight cloak moved towards the door.

'You will have to work hard Sammy. You see human beings hurt each other, they even kill each other. They do a lot of harm to each other. That's what's stored in the barrels at the back, resentment, bitterness, self loathing, it's not a pretty sight. There's even one for misunderstandings and revenge.'

Sammy gasped, 'Human beings sound very complicated and not very nice.'

The wind died down and the cloak disappeared, just the voice came on the breeze,

'The problem is that they are very fragile.'
There was a warm comforting breeze and Sammy was aware of great strength and goodness.

 Good luck Sammy with your new job.'