Sorrow's eyes are dark and cold. Her skin is toughened by the cold wind that stirs all things dwelling in The Valley. Sorrow lifts her head from time to time to look up the mountain. Her eyes catch something colorful growing on the mountain peak, but she buries her head with a fierce bitterness before she gazes too long.
Joy bounds from one sun kissed rock to another, laughing without recant. Her hair is free and billows around her. She rolls on the soft grass and inhales the sweet scent of wildflowers. Her voice sails as she sings the songs of her youth. For a moment she gazes down the mountain, to The Valley, but quickly lifts her head and runs back to the sunlight.
Every day Sorrow and Joy look to where the other dwells but never a moment longer. Each feels a strange bond to the other but a change from what they know is never considered. Sorrow longs for the carefree and happy existence of Joy. Joy longs for the deep and dependent life of Sorrow. Each knows their purpose yet wishes to have a part of the other.
One day the Lord approaches the mountain where Joy and Sorrow live. He says, "My children, why the discontent with where you are?" Joy says, "I am so happy where I am, but my life has no depth! It has been so long since I've felt your presence, O Lord!"
Sorrow lifts her tired head and says, "O Lord, you know I long to be where Joy is on top of the mountain. I've been in The Valley for so long and I'll admit I am getting weary."
Sorrow lifts her tired head and says, "O Lord, you know I long to be where Joy is on top of the mountain. I've been in The Valley for so long and I'll admit I am getting weary."
The Lord sighs and pulls Joy and Sorrow into His arms. "You know there is not a reason why both of you can't be One." Joy and Sorrow give the Lord puzzled looks and so He explains. "I made you to exist together as One. I made you so that you could be 'sorrowful yet always rejoicing.' I made you so that while in The Valley, you could have hope, and while on The Mountain- you would still need me at every hour. I am both the King of Joy and the King of Sorrow."
From that day on, through storms and still waters, Joy and Sorrow walked together. As One, the struggles of life became conquerable.
