[Note: everything in quotations, "", has been taken from the poem 'Optimism', by Elle Wheeler Wilcox. Well, almost everything. ok, everthing that rhymes. ok, you know what, you guys are smart, you can figure it out.]

The Three Wise Men Weren't Always Wise

Three young brothers were returning to their lovely palace after a fantastic day of laughter and whimsy. Little did they know, each suffered deep inside, and dared not to tell another.

Brother one was sad, for his pet had died, his lovely bird, whom he had known since his birth.

Brother two was lost, for he had no idea what lay in store for him after death, and he had no faith, for he beleived the world was desolate, and deserved no one, man or God, deserved praise for creating such a place.

Brother three was ill, his innability to travel for long periods at a time kept him from sharing the fate of his brothers, to become grand kings of their country after their father.

The trio traveled across the dirt way, laughing and playing as though nothing could go sour.

Said the first brother, "Look, over there!" he pointed to his right.

Each man turned his head and stared in wonderment at the large tent placed next to a small market. It was purple, decorated in red and gold trims, and draped the entrance was strung with beads so one could only see the inside if he entered.

"There is still enough daylight," brother two exclaimed, "let us have our fortunes read!"

He wandered in the direcion of the camp, followed by his brothers.

They entered the tent and inhaled the warm aroma of fresh baked brownies. The inside was dimly lit with candles and a few table lanterns scattered around.

A plump lady sat at the opposite end of the room from them. She smiled warmly. "Sit down," her hand gestured to three pillows that lay in front of her.

The three brothers tookk their seats and waited patiently for their host to resume speaking. She did so.

"I've been expecting you," she said warmly. They looked startled at this, but regained their posture.

"Give me your hands," she told them, and they reached out towards her. She took them all in her grasp and sighed.

"Your pulsations are not that of a happy person. You sir," she looked at brother one, "tell me, what is on your mind?"

Brother one looked startled. "You may call me Akaih," he told her, "and I greive over the loss of my dove. He was the greatest thing I ever knew, and his loss has left me weeping at times," Akaih closed his eyes.

"Look at me," the lady said.

" 'Talk Happiness. The world is sad enough
Without your woes. No path is wholly rough;
Look for the places that are smooth and clear,
And speak of those, to rest the weary ear
Of Earth, so hurt by one continuous strain
Of human discontent and grief and pain.' "

Akaih nodded, "Thank you."

The lady let his hand go.

"Now you, sir, would you mind telling me what is troubling you?" she turned her attention toards brother two.

"You may label me as Gael, and my troubles are much more complicated than that of the loss of the living."

The Lady nodded. "Let us listen, so I may try to help you dissolve this conflict within you."

Gael continued, "Well, the church minister takes in those who are homeless and offers them food in exchange for daily worship. Is this the way to choose religion? I am confused, for many say thier beleifs grant them joy and they always 'thank God' for everything good they receive. I have no beleifs, yet I am much more wealthy and praised than the very people that go hungry. Why, I have never seen a foodless day in my life!"

The fat lady spoke,

" 'Talk faith. The world is better off without
Your uttered ignorance and morbid doubt.
If you have faith in God, or man, or self,
Say so. If not, push back upon the shelf
Of silence all your thoughts, till faith shall come;
No one will grieve because your lips are dumb.' "

Gael looked appalled, but his muscles seemed to have loosened, and he was much more at ease. She let his hand go.

The last remaining brother gulped. Here it came, his words of wisdom. But if his brothers discovered what he had kept hidden, they would most certainly be dissappointed in him, for he was hurt, and refused help when it had been offered.

His brothers looked at him expectantly. He knew what was coming, so before the lady could speak, he said, "I am Allan, and what troubles me is more sever than an inner conflict.

"I am ill. Many years ago as a young child, I was locked out of our home. I hjad returned too late and the gates were then locked. It was cold outside, and I slept there, in front of the gates. When I was discovered, I was blue, and short of breath. They rushed me to the hospital and I stayed there for weeks."

"I remember that day. It was sunny, but not cheerful." Akaih said, and Gael clasped onto Allan's hand in order to calm his light shaking.

"Please continue, brother," he said. Allan took a great breath and continued.

"When I recovered, everyone thought I was better, but something was still wrong. I asked the doctor, and he told me that my heart was ill, and always would be. If I moved too fast, or for too long, I could die. It has always been that way, which is why I never chose to race you," he looked at his brothers, "or play with you. I have always been the odd one out. I took a large risk coming along today."

The room was silent. Then the lady said:

" 'Talk health. The dreary, never-changing tale
Of mortal maladies is worn and stale.
You cannot charm, or interest, or please
By harping on that minor chord, disease.
Say you are well, or all is well with you,
And God shall hear your words and make them true.' "

Akaih, Gael, and Allan stepped out of the tent. Dark had descended upon them, and they rushed home in order to escape the cold.

When they arrived at the palace gate, the front gaurds granted them entrance. Night gaurds had been put on duty ever since the day Allan had come home too late.

They entered the palace and walked down the corridor, kissed their parents goodnight, showered, changed, and headed for bed.

The three menstood in front of three different doors along the same, long, narrow hallway, bid each other goodnight, and entered for bed.

Akaih, brother one, slept well, and dreampt of the day he had spent with his brothers, since his lovely pet bird was gone from his memories.

Gael, brother two, dreampt of chittering monkeys, attacking him in his sleep, the usual nightmare he had. But this one was different, for both brothers were there, to accompany him in his grnd quest to escape the hidden monkey utopia that held him captive in dreams.

Allan, brother three, was dream free and enjoyed his much too seemingly short rest while it lasted.

The night was brisk, and the atmosphere in the entire palace seemed much more at ease and welcoming, pleasant, even, now that the boys' problems had been resolved.

I spent about an hour typing this, tell me what you think!