Long ago, a simpleton named Simon was walking along a dusty, deserted road and saw a small city up ahead on a hill. The entrance was at the highest part of the hill, so it was a bit of a slog to get there. But Simon needed a place to stay for the night and it was the only town in sight.
At last, Simon saw the city gates. Two women, identical twins, stood at the entrance. They called out simultaneously, “Whoever is simple, turn in here!” It was odd – their voices saying the same thing should have had a pleasing unity, but instead the sound was discordant. The one on the left beckoned to Simon, saying, “Don’t listen to my sister. She will only tell you lies.” The one on the right laughed and replied, “The liar accuses me of lying.” Turning to Simon she said, “Listen and think for yourself, esteemed visitor.”
The one on the left spoke again. “There are two doors into this city. We are the doorkeepers. You may only enter by one door, mine or my sister’s. Pay heed, for the wrong choice will bring you much sorrow.”
Simon asked, “How will I know which door to enter?”
The twin on the right answered, “You must listen to our invitations. It is not complicated. My sister is already trying to frighten you, but I can tell that you are not the kind of person to be easily frightened.”
The woman on the left addressed Simon, “You are simple, you lack understanding, but I can help you. Won’t you listen to me?”
Simon the simpleton was a little put off by being called simple and without understanding (there’s a reason he was known as a simpleton, after all.)
The woman on the right called out, “Sister, you said a true word there. This fellow is simple, he lacks understanding. But he’s also clearly more attuned to my voice than yours.” To him, she said, “Come closer and I will tell you what you want to hear.”
But Simon decided he should listen to both invitations to be fair. He turned to the left and gestured for her to begin.
“I have prepared a meal for you, the best meat is on my plate, roasted to perfection. See what bread I have baked. It is made from golden grains that drank sunshine all the day long. I have wine for you to drink, mixed with fruit and spices. It is a meal that will satisfy you and give you life.”
It is a good speech, one that Simon wished he could have paid complete attention to, but while she was speaking, her twin was banging on old pots and making a clamor. Still, he got enough to know that the invitation was to a meal, and it reminded him that he was very hungry. He turned to the right to hear the other invitation.
“My sister wants to fill you up with her simple food. Don’t you know that it’s cruel to kill animals to eat their meat? How could you possibly enjoy that? Doesn’t wine dull your senses? Be careful – there’s trickery on her plate! And where’s the excitement in such fare as she has to offer? She thinks to satisfy you with wine, but I know of a well that has the clearest, purest water which is only fit for kings. It would be simplicity itself for you and I to steal some of that, and the thrill of stealing it would make it sweeter than wine. As for bread…”
And here she gestured for Simon to come closer, whereupon she whispered in his ear. “I have bread that is best eaten in secret, if you know what I mean.” A broad wink and a smile accompanied that last part and Simon flushed with pleasure.
Ah, what a choice. Each sister had spoken to Simon’s simple heart. There was something in the invitation from the right, however, that had begun to entice Simon’s mind and fill his senses. Almost without thinking, he began to walk toward her door, but at the last moment, he looked over to the other sister and saw a look on her face that stopped him. There was light, love and compassion shining from her eyes. Simon was completely undone and suddenly aware that he had been guilty of the most preposterous foolishness.
The sister on the right began her clamor with banging on pots again, but it was too late. Simon walked toward the door on the left and asked, “Might I know your name, fair lady?”
“You may. I am called Wisdom and my sister is Folly. Had you entered her door, you would have joined the company of the dead in hell. Go through my door where your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you.” She held the door open for him.
Simon accepted the invitation and walked into the light.
Proverbs Chapter 9
This simple post will be deleted in the morning.
Lynniebeemuseoday 