Basin

I realized early on the basin inside me was finite. Whatever was in it had to be enough for me and for people I cared about. I strictly rationed its contents and more often than not was greedy and kept most of the elixir for myself. After all, it is scarce for all of us so you care for you and I will care for me.

I came to understand this was selfish. The basin was not just for me. I would be generous with my family, maybe a few friends. Sometimes strangers, but grudgingly. As I feared, my basin began to go dry. My family and friends would be generous with me as well, but whatever they poured into my basin was not enough. I would suck it up greedily for myself only to remain parched.

I tried to fill the basin myself. Drilling deep in hopes to draw some liquid to the surface. I would exhaust myself at the start of the day pumping the basin full of water. But by noon, the well would be empty and all that came up was bile. I would attempt to contain this acid within myself and pretend all was well but in vain. All too soon I would spray this caustic bile on those closest to me.

My basin was full of poison. I knew I could find no antidote. And even if I did, after I rinsed it out, what could I fill my basin with. There was nothing left in me, only dry desolation. So I began to pray. I prayed to the heavens that they would have mercy on me. That they would sate my thirst. That they would teach me to be generous. That my basin would be full and nourishing again, and I would not hesitate to pour it out for others.

I prayed this every day. For weeks. For months. For years. And then, upon my head, I felt a drop of water. And then another. And finally, it began to rain.