So, this little story kept me awake last night for awhile - I couldn't get it out of my head. I don't know what's up lately, but I can't seem to shut off very well.

Anyway...

The Parable of Souls

A soon-to-be father approached the great Keeper of Souls and said, "I need a soul for my future son, who is yet to be born."

The Keeper nodded and remained still until the man's next question.

"Do you have any souls that are strong and brave so my son may be revered and seldom afraid?"

The Keeper's reply, "Of souls of that sort, I have none."

The father, disappointed, thought for a span of time upon other values that make a good man.

After a time, he said, "Do you have any souls thoughtful and wise so my son may live a meaningful life?"

The Keeper's reply, "Of souls of that sort, I have none."

The father, disappointed, thought for a span of time upon other values that make a good man.

After a time, he said, "Do you have any souls clever and quick so that at least my son might make due with his wit?"

The Keeper's reply, "Of souls of that sort, I have none."

The father, disappointed again, thought for a span upon other values that might make a good man.

After a time, he said, "Do you have any souls of patience and humility so my son may be happy with humble productivity?"

The Keeper's reply, "Of souls of that sort, I have none."

The father, disappointed, thought for a span of time upon other values which might make a good man.

After a time, he said, "Do you have any souls of endurance and hope so that my son may never feel at the end of his rope?"

The Keeper's reply, "Of souls of that sort, I have none."

The father, disappointed, with this repeated reply began to feel weary as he thought what next to try.

After a time, he said, "Do you have any souls honorable and just so those who deal with my son may do so with trust?"

The Keeper's reply, "Of souls of that sort, I have none."

The father again thought on other values he knows, to try to find a set of which with his son might proudly grow.

After a time, he said, "Do you have any souls loving and kind so that among happy companions my son may find peace of mind?"

The Keeper's reply, "Of souls of that sort, I have none."

The father, frustrated, let be known his contempt for this Keeper of Souls who seemed to keep nothing for him.

The Keeper's reply to the father's grievance, "Sir, you seem a man of virtue who will care for his son. You show you are strong and brave for demanding from me a soul much the same. You are thoughtful and wise for all of your requests are of positive kind. You are clever and quick for under stress all of your pairings of values make good sense. You show patience and humility for not turning away from me. Your endurance and hope maintained your composure to your last request. With honor and justice you will surely raise your son, and you possess love and kindness for showing such deep concern for his fate.

I have a soul for your son, best suited for him, you will find it is fit for the world you live in. This soul is of nothing - no values, no shame - and as soon as he's born you must teach within him all of those values you've just asked he be given."

And so, since that day the nature of fathers to sons, mothers to daughters, and parents to children carries on and will do so for all of humanity, forever and ever.