INTRODUCTION
This story is congruent with Marianne Williamson's proposal that "It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." But this story also reminds us that perhaps it is not just the light that we are wary of: it is fire. Fire is heat and it burns, and we know burns hurt. So what then, in our lives, gives light but might signal danger instead of comfort and safety? What experiences in life can potentially burn us, but paradoxically also provides wisdom and clarity? Rumi gives a hint at what might help us endure life's heat: "Through love burning fire is pleasing light."
This story is congruent with Marianne Williamson's proposal that "It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." But this story also reminds us that perhaps it is not just the light that we are wary of: it is fire. Fire is heat and it burns, and we know burns hurt. So what then, in our lives, gives light but might signal danger instead of comfort and safety? What experiences in life can potentially burn us, but paradoxically also provides wisdom and clarity? Rumi gives a hint at what might help us endure life's heat: "Through love burning fire is pleasing light."
THE FEARFUL CANDLE
(Author unknown; adapted from these two links: Webpage 1 and Webpage 2)
Once upon a time a little candle stood in a room filled with other candles of different kinds. She had no idea why she was there. She did not know what her purpose was. Besides, the other candles made her feel rather small and insignificant. When the sun went down and the room got dark. And she noticed that in the room were many people, each holding a candle…including her. THEN she saw a person walking toward her with a ball of fire. She realized that the man was going to set her on fire.
“No, no!” she cried; “Don’t burn me, please don’t burn me!”
But she knew that she could not be heard and prepared for the pain that would surely follow. To her surprise, the room filled with light. She wondered where it came from since the person had extinguished the ball of fire. To her delight, she realized that the light came from herself. She observed what was taking place.
(Author unknown; adapted from these two links: Webpage 1 and Webpage 2)
Once upon a time a little candle stood in a room filled with other candles of different kinds. She had no idea why she was there. She did not know what her purpose was. Besides, the other candles made her feel rather small and insignificant. When the sun went down and the room got dark. And she noticed that in the room were many people, each holding a candle…including her. THEN she saw a person walking toward her with a ball of fire. She realized that the man was going to set her on fire.
“No, no!” she cried; “Don’t burn me, please don’t burn me!”
But she knew that she could not be heard and prepared for the pain that would surely follow. To her surprise, the room filled with light. She wondered where it came from since the person had extinguished the ball of fire. To her delight, she realized that the light came from herself. She observed what was taking place.
First, her fire was used to light the candles that’s close to her. Then the light from those candles were used to light the candles in the next row. And the light from that circle was used to light the candles in the next row, and so on and so forth. Each candle gave out the same light that she did and the room got brighter and brighter.
She noticed that, slowly, her wax began to melt and got shorter and shorter. She became aware that her life as light would soon end. With this realization came a sense of why she had been created.
“Perhaps the purpose of my limited life is to spread the light”, she mused. And that’s exactly what she did.
She noticed that, slowly, her wax began to melt and got shorter and shorter. She became aware that her life as light would soon end. With this realization came a sense of why she had been created.
“Perhaps the purpose of my limited life is to spread the light”, she mused. And that’s exactly what she did.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What did you find to be the most important part of the story? What resonated with you?
- What experiences have you had that is close to this story?
- Where do you find yourself in this story? Which part of the story is about you?
Guide for Facilitators of Spiritual Care Support Groups
Practice Spirit Play storytelling:
- STORY MATERIALS
- VIDEO
- SCRIPT
