SMFairytales: The Borrowers Be

Tell us the story again, the young-ones said to the Elder…how we got our name. They gathered around the fire pit at dusk with their favorite toys in hand and wrapped in blankets. With eyes wide, the young-ones settled into stillness.

The story commenced as the Elder historian told his story once more. We are the “Borrowers Be” and this is our story.

At the beginning of our time we were known as the Borrowers because “we be wanting”. We were in need of all things as young people of the world. We wanted food, shelter and clothing. We wanted comfort and hearth for our young-ones. We travelled the lands to gather our wants and settle in this place.

We settled in well as the land gave all we needed. We became known as “we be thriving”. Our stores were full from abundant crops and harvest and it carried us through the sleeping season of frost.

The seasons suffered some years. The how and why of it I know not. This time was called “we be lacking”. We did manage but all our skills and talents were tested and taxed. We had to venture to new lands with our concerns and doubt in tow…comfort no longer a steady friend. We did manage as a community with our stores adequate to our needs.

Having lived long enough on the land to know the ‘mind of the seasons’, we came to understand its variances. Our history then named us “we be balanced” for we came to live with the cycles of nature. Our numbers grew. We maintained our standards of wants for all. We thought ourselves a success as a community.

As time passed and our wants were met, there was a knowing of land depletion. We managed. We reviewed our history. We sought an answer to replenish the land. This was the time of “we be seekers”. Our thoughts were brought together for answers to secure our future.

Our thoughts and talents combined brought our strengths to the front. We recalled the land as we first knew it. We remembered the best of the landscapes. We remembered the best of ourselves. We chose to return its beauty. We set our plans forward to the future and called this time “we be wise”. Knowing this to be a timely but worthwhile venture, we set forth with our plan.

The community gathered as planned, bringing their gifts to the land. This time, “we be giving”. As the ground was turned, each family brought a select gift…a single seed plus one…one for our garden and one for the land. Trees, vines, berries and fruits were planted for restoration.

With the land restored, the streams flowed clean, the air smelled fresh and the crops held greater bounty than ever before. Birds returned with a sweeter song. Butterflies and honeybees made their homes with the abundant wild flowers…and “we be happy”.

Dearest young-ones, the Elder said, we are nearing the end of our story. We are here on this land for an uncertain length of time. We commune with land and nature and borrow from both. We learn their wisdom and balance. We survive because we borrow, then return. We are the “Borrowers Be” for when we’re one with one and all, they let the borrowers be.

Now young-ones, your favorite time is here. Adorn your wreaths of flowers and garlands made from vine. Wave your boughs and branches and chant around the fire.