The Fortress

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Juliet added the last strand of barbed wire and stood back to admire the view. Her fortress was done. Finally. No one would ever get to her again.

Julia also stood back to admire to view. There sure was a lot of barbed wire. What needs that much protection, she wondered. Just then, she caught a glimpse. Their eyes met. There was no mistaking the fear in those electric blue eyes.

Juliet recoiled. Someone out there had seen her. She went to find more barbed wire, but she had none.

Julia stood and stared. What was there to fear when there was so much love in the world? Suddenly she remembered an old story, a fable really. And so she started walking around and around the fortress.

What is she doing? Why won't she leave? Juliet pondered.

Every once in awhile Julia would see her, there behind the barbed wire. She kept walking.

After many days, Juliet approached the edge of her fortress, peered through the barbed wire, and spoke. "I don't want you here. Why don't you go away?'"

Julia stopped and looked into Juliet's eyes. "Because love conquers fear. I am here to show you the way."

Juliet gasped and ran.

Steadfast in her resolve, Julia continued walking. One day the barbed wire would be no more and fear would give way to love. Today was not that day, but there was always tomorrow.

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