Finally, the fire was out...
Illustration
Finally, the fire was out. Where yesterday a beautiful woodlands had been, today stood a smoldering, charred wasteland. The fire had been burning for days and scores of firefighters had worked around the clock to end it. Now it was ended; but even though noticing the destruction was inescapable, a great cheer came up from the exhausted foresters. Their joy? Their task was ended for now, and that was a relief. But more than that, they knew that the earth would reclaim the woodlands, that soon green sprouts would work their way through the ashes, and hardy plants would transform the starkness into lush foliage. It would not happen overnight, but it would happen. And it was not in their hands, but the hands of the Creator. Their job was complete. Their celebration would reflect both what is now ended, and what is to come. -- Lintern
