The Blue Knight arrived at the entrance fee of a grand cave, with the legend, The Lair of the Face of Adversity, writ large on a panel of wood. Lighted torches available from a nearby stall, T-shirts and mugs with the Adversity logo emblazoned, also for sale. The squeaking wheels ceased their complaints and took their rests.
Under the darkening roof, he pulled the heavy symbol from its moorings upon the wheeled sledge and dragged it into the cave whither the cart could not pass. Lifting the base, his back complaining, he hauled it, drag, step, drag, backwards into. Grooves in the dust.
How shall I present in the Face? thought the BK, whilst dragging, I can barely lift. After an interminable drag in semi darkness, he found himself in a great widening cavern with light invading from a hole in the ceiling high above. Luckily, he had not invested in a torch, or a mug for that matter. On upon one wall of the rock was carven or fashioned, anyway was evident, a huge face with closed eyes, an mighty nose and a mouth to swallow a human whole.
The Blue Knight slung a rope over a projection up highly, and, catching the end, managed to haul the heavy symbol, hand over hand, into the air. He tied off the rope so that it was dangling down in front of the face. Next, he pulled the swinging symbol far to the left of the face and let go with a shove, so that the big metal thing was swishing too and then fro in front of the Face of Adversity. Eyes fast shut, the face immobile.
Excuse me! Shouted the Blue Knight, shattering the silence. The Eyes snapped open, they were not blue. No need to shout, said Adversity in a voice so sonorous that it shook the very ground. What do you….. At that moment the symbol swung past, making a whoosh sound and the eyes followed it, fixed and fascinated.
What the…. Started Adversity, as the rusty symbol swung again on its return journey. The eyes of Adversity were now riveted to the swinging object and its mouth remained slightly open.
This, said the Blue Knight, in voice as clear and authoritative as he could muster, Is the Symbol of Hope.
No, its not, said the Face, It is just a piece of rusty redundant machinery. What, pray, brings you to my lair to wave this rusty relic across my space?
I have travelled far to this cave in the hope that the Symbol of Hope, (it is not just rusty machinery) will ameliorate the depth of Adversity over which you have control. Is it working?
No, said the Face, Only kindness is effective in the face of Adversity, but there is little kindness to go around these. Shall I tell you a story of adversity and kindness?
I would listen with rapt attention, said the Blue Knight
The rock Face closed his eyes. There was once a pig whose world had turned upside down. Standing on the ceiling, the pig could not reach its food or comfort its piglets, the pig became hungry, and the piglets cried. This situation is an example of Adversity. Soon, another passing pig heard the wailing of the piglets and lifted them upon a step to be comforted by their upside-down parent. Food was also delivered by a lift. This is an example of Kindness in the face of Adversity.
Remarkable, said the BK, And the point.
Well, I had hoped that this tale of woe would evidence the strength and efficacy of Kindness in a tight spot.
If you should need to access a basket of Kindness I can advise, The Face continued, The entrance to the long-lost Kindness Mines is hidden farby. Would you care? There is a rich seam which runs beneath, that has become buried over the centuries. It can only be accessed now by trial and error, delving in the dark with a candle strapped to your bonnet. Where once the children could walk amongst kindness up to their ankles.
That would be a wonderful thing, said the Blue Knight, filled with gratitude. If I can bring a whole bunch of Kindness to the light of day. Why, the world can only be a better place. Thank you.
No problem, said the face of Adversity, Well first you must travel many miles to the north following the river, then….. And he proceeded to relate a long, long list of directions, only the first three of which did the Blue Knight actually remember, although he nodded along throughout, giving the impression that he could remember them all. Luckily it was well sign posted.
The Guardians of the Cave 