The Taste of Honey - Eastern Parable

One sunny day a traveler set out alone on a long journey across the wild steppes.

Making his way he soon fell into a mild enchantment, dizzy at the prospect of his adventure, and then his arrival at his beloveds house.

Suddenly, the roar of a tiger shook him from his reverie. He turned to see the wild beast charging him, teeth bare, snarling, fierce eyes set upon him.

The traveler wasted no time. he dropped everything and ran for his life across the barren land.

The beast gaining on him, he was desperate for any sign of a refuge.

To his astonishment he saw a dried up well not far off. His blood surged as he leapt inside.

Falling, he saw another horror - a fire snorting dragon below, jaws snapping and claws tearing at the ground.

In despair he reached out, grasping for anything that might save him. To his delight, his hands found purchase on a long vine growing out of the ancient bricks. He quickly gathered his thoughts as he clung for his life against the wall of the well.

Above him, the tiger roared and gnashed its teeth. Below him the dragon licked its chops. The poor traveler’s arms grew tired, his thoughts consumed by fear as fate closed around him.

Still, he held on, hope flickering in his heart. Whilst he pondered this strange and cruel dilemma, he saw two mice, one black, one white, nibbling at the vine to which he clung.

The sight put him in rapture. Every molecule of bark glowed as if on fire.

It was in that moment he noticed the sweet amber honey dripping from the leaves of the vine. Smiling, he looked down at the dragon, then up toward the tiger.

He stretched out his tongue.