August 4, 2011: “The Sandcastle”
He built a sandcastle. The grains of importance were placed meticulously, patted gently. The others were clumsily, hurriedly packed into place. The sun beat down on his exposed skin; the wind occasionally whipping his work apart, carelessly tossing it into his face. Periodically he rose to gather water, each journey longer, more treacherous than the last. The hours wore on, he grew weary, his hands grew weak from exhaustion. Still he built; the base was sturdy, the delicate intricacies of the top overlooked by the passers-by. When at last his creation matched that of his vision he stopped to gaze upon it. Time passed as he stared; the tide began to rise. He watched as the battlements crumbled, the turrets trembled, and the moat was washed away. The water continued to rise, the waves continued to crash, the boy continued to watch as his castle was swept away. As the tide again began to recede, the boy stood. Today he built a sandcastle; tomorrow he will build his life.
(Original work, DiffEq, 8/4/11)
