The Spring

She sits beside the spring
A guardian

Trained to give
Not to receive

One by one they come
They flatter her as she passes gourds
Full of life
Full of healing
Thirsty as they are
Once they have their fill
They do not look back

She sits beside the spring
Smiling

One day a young boy stopped by
Requesting more than his fill
For he had others that needed water
And she gave freely
And he went away, merry

Years passed and he returned

"Is it better to be rich or to be loved?"

She pondered..

"It is better to be both."

He left

She sat beside the spring
Smiling

As the sun set that day she wondered at her answer
And doubted herself

It is better to be loved, she thought

And many moons passed
And she knew in her heart that the boy had both
And she was happy for him

Even as the spring dried
And the visitors ceased
And none noticed her last breath

She was happy for him