The Box of Ages
By G. W. Thomas
In a cave, in a forest, in a valley, buried in a range of serpent-backed mountains lived a god named Balus. He was an old god. Since the beginning of Time, it had been Balus' boon to guard the Box of Ages wherein all the days, hours, minutes and seconds of life were stored. Balus gave these precious moments back to no one.
The Rainbow Man came to the serpent-backed mountains. He travelled to the valley. He navigated the forest. He located the cave. He found Balus and the Box of Ages.
"I have come to see my hours and minutes and seconds," said the wizard simply.
"You can't have them," answered Balus, who towered over the odd little man.
"I have not come to take them back, merely to see if you have taken good care of them."
Balus scratched his thick head, then agreed tothe Box of Ages. Inside, the Rainbow Man found his hours and minutes and seconds amongst those of all the other people in the world, even Balus'. The old god eyed him closely, watching for tricks to steal the contents of the Box of Ages.
"Here, look at this," offered the wizard, holding up one of his days and one of Balus'. "Look and compare."
The god did as he was instructed, seeing the wizard reveling and wenching and casting curious magic. In his own day, there was only sitting and staring at the wide valley.
"Doesn't seem fair, does it?" sighed the strange four-armed wizard. "Still, we all have our lot in life."
Balus had an odd look pass over his massive face, then he stood up suddenly. "I am going, wizard. I do not want all my days to be exactly as those in the Box of Ages. You may stay and watch over it if you wish." With that Balus was gone, striding off in the direction of the wide, wide world.
The Rainbow Mand the Box of Ages, took back all his days, all his hours, minutes and seconds. And that is why he never dies.
© 1999 G. W. Thomas. All Rights Reserved.
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