A seed was planted

In a dark and quiet place within the ethereal, a soul was disrupted from its Rest as a hollow disembodied voice called out to it." It's your time", said the voice of the great endless void.

"Oh no, please not again!" cried the spirit in protest. "Please don't make me go back to that awful place!" But the great voice was unwavering in its decision.

"Come, follow me," the spirit obeyed its master and followed its presence to a small pool filled with a strange liquid. "Look, there into the waters of life". And then the young soul peered into the pool, and in it were glimmering lights of fuchsia, emerald-green and a brilliant blue all at once. And by its mysterious beauty, the spirit became mesmerised like a moth entranced by the soft glow of a lantern. And suddenly, the colours began to organise themselves and formed an image. It was of two couples, each caught and tangled up in a loving embrace. Then the great voice said, "Choose your path wisely, young soul, for one is easy but is fruitless in the end; the other path is difficult and will be full of many trials but will get you closer to your goal of permanent peace." The spirit sat in deep contemplation of its options. As it sat in its mindful state, it began to recall all the pain and burden it had suffered over its many incarnations, and it became fearful of its return once more. "Maybe I'll take the easy route this time?" It thought. Although I'm a young soul, I've lived many lives, each full of such agony! "And is there shame in being a cold-hearted elitist for the sake of my well-being?" "Just this one time?" "No, I mustn't, for one life of bliss will get me several lives of great sorrow! "And the spirit finally came to a decision. "Master, I choose this one as my entrance into the physical realm; said the spirit, pointing to one of the women from the two couples".

"Are you sure?

"Yes, master, I'm sure."

"Very well then", the great voice replied. And a sound echoed through the void like the howling of monstrous beasts, and the void split open, and bright white light, more radiant than a thousand stars, burst out and pulled the soul into it and swallowed it up like a ravenous lion. And then all around, a warmth was felt as the young soul joined with its new body in the womb and all knowledge was wiped clean from the spirit, and a tiny heart began to beat, and so a new life began in the world.