The Wise Woman and the Fool

Once there were two women – one wise, the other a fool. They’d lived together as long as either could remember. When they were young, the fool was strong and got her way often, but as they grew up the wise girl grew stronger and more influential. Occasionally she would think that perhaps her housemate had left, but the fool proved sneaky and persistent and would not be put out.

Living in close quarters as they did, the fool often mistook herself for the wise woman. She exulted in her successes and preened at any of her compliments or accomplishments, generally souring the experience for the other. She would use the wise woman’s presence and influence to gain credibility and to feed her own vanity. Occasionally a friend of the wise woman would be surprised and a little confused when she discovered such a fool in the house of her friend.

The wise woman was embarrassed of the fool and would try to keep her out of the way, but she had a habit of showing up unexpectedly. She added noise and distractions. She’d obsess over their appearance when the wise woman knew its importance was limited. She craved attention and affirmation while the wise woman reminded that her value lay in what she gave, not what she received.

She found much to complain about while her housemate would recount their blessings. She would replace meaningful action with chatter, loving the appearance of altruism while avoiding the work, but the wise woman strived to have character that was built from actions not words. The wise woman hoped that under her influence the fool could grow wise, but fools hate correction, and in her delusion she believed herself to be the wise one, not the fool. And so she wouldn’t be taught.

The wise woman was very tired and longed to be free.

But their fates remain entwined where they live –

In me.