***********************************************************
The Wolf fell in love with the moon, as wolves are ought to do. She was mesmerizing. So brilliant, so bright, there to guide the way throughout the night. In the darkest of times, Wolf need only look up to know that his love would be there, guiding his way through the pitfalls of a world cast in shadow. So far away she was. No matter how much he sang of their love, the moon could not sing back, the moon could not love back, the moon could not see Wolf. So much did he love the moon that Wolf would sing to her. Songs of longing. Songs of want. Songs of joy. Songs of sorrow. Songs of love. Songs of soul. Wolf did not mind that she was so far away, her guiding light would be his beacon. He would bask in her glory and follow her across the world, just to be able to see her.
One night, Wolf left his den to sing to the moon, but saw that it was not there. The light of the night was gone, and nowhere to be seen. Shaken, he began to sing a Song of Mourning, in hopes it will bring her back to the night.
"Why do you sing to the moon?" came a voice from the trees
"You know you are but a lowly wolf, and she is the great celestial being of the night"
"Such a creature as yourself does not deserve her attention"
Wolf looked around, seeing a small white rabbit sitting on a branch in the trees. The rabbit was carrying a mallet in one hand, and a small glass vial in the other. Though the moon was gone and the dim light of the stars were shining, this rabbit seemed to almost glow. It was beautiful and brilliant to behold, and unlike anything Wolf had seen before.
"Who are you?" cried startled Wolf
"I am the Jade Hare" chuckled the voice
"I make the immortal elixir of the gods in the Moon Palace"
"If you look closely on a clear night, you can see my outline on the Moon"
"I know you! I sing to you and gaze at your beauty"
"Of course you do" sighed Hare
"I hear you all the time, and have come to tell you to stop"
"I am busy up there all the time, and your songs distract me from very important work"
"I did not mean to disturb you, I only wish to show my love for the Moon"
"I will be softer, and I will be sure to not disturb you with my songs"
"But please, let me sing to you, for you guide me through the dark"
Wolf was delighted to see that his songs had brought the moon to him. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought the moon could actually hear him, though he was embarrassed to know his songs had disturbed the work of one so important and grand. In the future, he would sing softly and only when the Hare was not so busy with his work.
"Very well" resigned Hare
"But only if you bring me riches, for you are not worthy as you are now"
"How will I bring riches? I only know how to sing to the Moon"
"You'll figure it out"
So Wolf decided to learn how to make elixir's, just like the Jade Hare. He would bring life and longevity to the people around him, for that seems to be how the world makes lots of riches. Though his hands were not as clever as that of Hare, he still managed to make a decent draught. It did not bring immortality, but it brought understanding, knowledge, discipline, and happiness. Many people liked the work of Wolf, and brought him many gifts. They came from far and wide to have a sip of his elixir, and to know some of the wonders of the world. Wolf was overjoyed at his ingenuity, for he was just as useful as Hare, and could keep singing to her. Soft songs of longing. Soft songs of want. Soft songs of joy. Soft songs of sorrow. Soft songs of love. Soft songs of soul.
"Why do you sing to the moon?" came a voice from the trees
"You know you are but a lowly wolf, and she is the great celestial being of the night"
"Such a creature as yourself does not deserve her attention"
"I was told I could if I brought you riches. I have made an elixir of my own to sharpen the mind and calm the soul."
"I do not make a lot, but here are the riches you asked for"
"Now I may sing to you, just like we agreed to"
"This is not worth anything" cackled Hare
"I make an elixir of immortality"
"The gods themselves depend on me for their power"
"You think this makes you worthy?"
"Your songs distract me and make me lose focus"
"I did not mean to disturb you, I only wish to show my appreciation for the Moon"
"I will be quieter, and I will be sure to not disturb you with my songs"
"But please, let me sing to you, for you guide me through the dark"
Wolf was ashamed that his songs were still too loud. The important work of the Moon was being disrupted still by his howls. His mind was weary from making these elixirs, but it was only a pale comparison to the work of the Moon that inspired him. Wolf was ashamed of his cleverness, for he could not be as clever as Hare. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought the moon could still hear him. In the future, he would sing quietly and only when the Hare was far away.
"Very well" snickered Hare
"But only if you give me protection when I must wander the world"
"For you are not worthy as you are now"
"How will I protect you? I only know how to sing to the Moon and make my Elixir"
"You'll figure it out"
Wolf knew this would be a daunting task. So many people wanted the Jade Hare and her magic elixir. There would be many other creatures, many stronger and more powerful than he, that wanted Hare for themselves. So Wolf sharpened his fangs and toughened his hide. He trained his mind and body to be a warrior. To protect the Moon that was so important to the world, and be sure that no harm would come to her. Every trip Hare took, Wolf found that he was better able to protect her from harm. Though Bear was stronger, Wolf learned to be cunning. Though Weasel was faster, Wolf learned to be wiser. Though Hawk was smarter, Wolf learned to be more diligent. The dangers of the world was no longer a threat to Wolf and Hare. When he was not protecting Hare, Wolf would protect other creatures of the forest who asked for his protection. Many people appreciated the work of Wolf, and brought him many gifts. Many would ask for his help to travel far and wide, and see the world they thought too dangerous for them. Wolf was overjoyed at his stewardship, for he was now a guardian, and could keep singing to her. Quiet songs of longing. Quiet songs of want. Quiet songs of joy. Quiet songs of sorrow. Quiet songs of love. Quiet songs of soul.
"Why do you sing to the moon?" said the Jade Hare one day
"You know you are but a lowly wolf, and I am the great celestial being of the night"
"Such a creature as yourself does not deserve my attention"
"I was told I could if I protected you. I have kept away the Bear, the Weasel, the Hawk."
"I do not sleep a lot, but you are kept from their jaws"
"Now I may sing to you, just like we agreed"
"You are not worth anything" cackled Hare
"I make an elixir of immortality"
"The gods themselves depend on me for their power"
"You think this makes you worthy?"
"Your songs distract me and make me lose focus"
"I did not mean to disturb you, I only wish to show my appreciation for the Moon"
"I will be silent, and I will be sure to not disturb you with my songs"
"But please let me follow you, for you guide me through the dark"
Wolf was ashamed that his songs were still too loud. The important work of the Moon was being disrupted still by his calls. His body was weary from protecting all these creatures, but it was only a pale comparison to the work of the Moon that inspired him. Wolf was ashamed of his diligence, for he could not be as important as Hare. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought the moon could still hear him. In the future, he would sing not at all.
"No, for you are nothing and I am the Moon"
"I have no use for you"
"You got me where I needed to be and gave me riches"
"But you are still a lowly wolf, and I am the Jade Hare"
"I will be lost without the Moon"
"You have inspired me to make my Elixir"
"It is worthless"
"You have inspired me to become a Guardian"
"It is worthless"
"You have helped make me all that I am"
"You are worthless"
"Why do you sing to the Moon?"
"Because I loved you"
"Worthless"
***********************************************************
It is rather incredible how much we allow one person have so much power over what we determine is our self worth. Despite the acts of wolf, and the fact that many other people determined his actions to have worth, the person we love has a direct line to our heart. They can inspire us to be great, and rip us to shreds with just a few choice words. It was this interaction that made me believe I was a submissive in truth. Putting your "other" at the heart of your needs and doing everything in your power to support them, I thought that was only the right of the submissive. But as someone told me, there are dominants who serve others just as much as submissives. I do not know what to classify this interaction though, for it was before I became aware of this community. Regardless of the roles though, I now have the terms to understand what I feel was the issue here. An issue that, this community, seems to put at the forefront of their interactions and exchanges.
Respect
The act of service or the gift of dominance, however it is presented, requires an understanding and a respect from both sides of the dynamic. The dominant needs to respect the power they have been gifted by their submissive, and the submissive needs to respect the effort of the dominant in providing their service. If the respect is only given one way, the relationship can be toxic. Too much given without anything received is just a way for disaster to take hold. Wherever you are, or whatever you do, you must respect yourself. In a community that depends so heavily on it, if you do not have it for yourself, you can never give it to your other. If your other only wishes to take your respect from you, and not earn it or return it, then that is abuse of power, abuse of submission. Perhaps that is the kind of abuse someone is looking for, but that is not for me. Nobody should have the power to tell your soul that you are worthless. That your love is worthless. That your power is worthless. That sort of play I do not understand, but if that's your boat, that is you. It is not for me.
Third story musings ~ Thank you for your eyes
ShirooKuma
