Two Roads

Woods on the East Side of Town Two Sisters, Jezze and Jennifer, were outside their house watching the beautiful afternoon slowly turn into evening. As the stars began to shine, the two girls talked of their hopes for the future. Jezze dreamed of marrying a handsome prince and living in a grand palace on a hill. Many servants and “ladies-in-waiting would surround and wait upon me,” she would say. She would wear only the finest and softest dresses adorned with the kingdom's most beautiful and expensive jewelry. Her face brightened, and her smile broadened as she thought of such things. On the other hand, Jennifer also dreamed of marrying a prince and living in a castle on a hill, yet she wished to use her wealth and influence to feed, clothe, and shelter the poor children of the kingdom. Although the girls are not rich, they are also not completely poor. Jennifer’s heart was with those less fortunate than herself. The following day, the two girls decided to take a brisk morning walk. “Oh, where shall we walk today?” asked Jennifer. “Let’s walk into the woods on the east side of town,” exclaimed Jezze. “We have never been in those woods.” So, the two girls packed a sack lunch because they felt their adventure would last until at least the late afternoon, maybe even until sunset. They put their sack lunches in the pockets of their jackets (for it was a chilly but sunny morning). They then sat out for the woods on the east side of town. “Oh, Jennifer,” Jezze said in a dreamy voice, clutching her hands close to her heart. Once I marry the handsome prince, I will have the most decadent dresses, the finest foods, and the shiniest diamonds and rubies anyone has ever seen.” “Oh, Jezze, you only think of things to make yourself feel good. Don’t you remember what Father says about such things? That they ‘cannot satisfy the soul’” “I love Father with all my heart, but he is wrong. If I had the dresses and jewels of my dreams, I would be so happy I’d never ask for anything again.” As they passed by a hungry or naked, dirty child, Jennifer would say, “I would see to it that that baby would have plenty of milk to drink and clean clothes to wear. And a nice house where she can live.” “You are more the dreamer than I,” said Jezze. “For the Great Prince, Himself said, ‘The poor you have with you always.’ But pretty dresses, fine jewels, and fancy parties are not easy to gain.” At that, Jennifer rolled her eyes and shook her head. About mid-morning, they came to the edge of the woods on the east side of town. The two girls investigated the woods and knew their lives would change forever. They found a small path into the woods and decided to follow it. And follow it they did. As they walked, Jennifer could tell by the look on Jezze’s face that her mind was not on the adventure at hand but some castle on some high hill, either eating some fine meal or at some ball adorned in the fanciest dress and wearing the most expensive jewelry anyone had ever seen. “Jezze, watch out for that branch.” Jezze woke from her dream dance with the tall, handsome prince just in time to avoid a low-hanging tree branch. Seconds later, Jennifer again rescued her sister from a large pothole on the path. About ten minutes later, the two found themselves in a small clearing. They could see an extremely high hill they had never seen before. At the very top of the mountain sat a castle. Not just any court, but THE CASTLE. The castle the two of them had dreamed of all their lives. In the castle with the handsome Prince, they both longed to marry.