The flood

Once upon a time, it began to rain.
It rained for days and the water in the rivers began to rise.
There was a meeting in the village to discuss the rising waters.
It was decided that each man, woman and child should build themselves a small boat.
The villagers agreed and set out to find their tools.
One by one, the villagers set about making their boats.
Some where more elegant than others, but each person had one.
All except the man on the hill.
The man on the hill had no tools with which to build.
Initially the man had asked his neighbour if he could borrow his tools.
His neighbour laughed.
He asked his family if they had tools to spare.
They would not believe that he had no tools of his own.
Eventually the man found a hammer, nails and a saw.
But he did not know how to use them.
He asked his friend for advice.
"You just cut the wood to size and nail it together"
The man tried, and failed.
He asked another friend for advice.
"What kind of man can't use a hammer and nails?"
Eventually the man gave up.

Each day the waters rose.
Each day more people got into their boats.
Each day the man moved a little higher up the hill.

Before long, only 3 things could be seen.
The top of a tall hill.
A vast expanse of water.
And, off in the distance, the dry land the boats had gone to.

The man was alone.

Each day the waters rose.
Each day there was less space on his hill.
Each day things seemed more hopeless.

The man gave up.

From time to time a boat would pass.
It's occupants would taunt him.
"Where is your boat?"
"Why are you so miserable?"
"Why don't you just leave your island?"

Once more the man asked for help.
Once more, they taunted him.
"You should have built a boat when we did!"
"That's what happens when you don't try!"
"If we helped you, how would you learn?"

Their words stung.

The man considered his position.
"If only I had built a boat."

The man stood atop his hill and gazed into the distance.
He could see the land where the boats had gone.
Desperate to prove himself to those who taunted him, a decision was made.
Early one morning the man began to swim.

From time to time boats went past.
"Look at him...he should have a boat..."
"Pathetic. Lazy. Couldn't be bothered. I hope he drowns."

Each boat he greeted with two words.
"Help me!"

Each boat responded the same way.
"You should have known better"

He swam as long and as hard as he could.
He was tired, hungry.
His body ached all over.
But still he swam.

But land was too far.

He could not turn back now.
He could not keep going.

Unable to swim, unable to move, unable to stay afloat.
Slowly, his lungs filled with water, and he drowned.
Alone.

Upon the shore of the farlands, a new village was made.
The people went from their boats and started new lives.

Before long the man's body washed ashore.
It was bought to the new village.
There his body lay, in the centre of the village.
An example to the villagers.
A speech was made about this man.

"Here lies a man who would not work,
Responsibility he did shirk.
Thought himself wiser than we all,
We see his pride before his fall.
A lesson here that must be learned,
What we all have, we have all earned.
For idleness, a price you pay,
While others move their lives away,
You find yourself so near the end,
With neither family nor friend,
And all because you would not do,
The simple things we told you to.
A foolish man who thought it best,
To shun the hard work of the rest,
For handouts begged with every breath,
He was the cause of his own death."

The villagers heard these words.
The agreed, one and all.
Each child was told to pull their weight.
To make their own way.
Reminded of the man who washed ashore.
The man who bothered everyone instead of working.
The man who chose to say behind.

All was well for many years.
Until once again, the rains came.
The people made their boats once more.
All were busy.
Except one.
One boy, with no tools and no hill to climb.

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I don't know where this came from exactly...it just popped into my head while I was trying to sleep and I find if I don't get these things OUT of my head, then I can never sleep.

I hope it makes sense to you all, but if it doesn't it really doesn't matter, I just needed to get it out. If anyone wants me to I can explain it for you.

Anyway...yeah...

 

Yes, I did. It just flowed out...I'm not really sure what to DO with it, I just figured I'd share it and see what people thought...

I guess I want to see what people think it's about and see if it's clear or not...(not that it's hugely clear in my own mind).

 

Woah...someone random from the internet just favourited it...since when do I write things people like?!

EDIT: Clarification. Argentwing, you are not the random internet stranger But I'm glad you like it too! <3