The river stones were gathered 'round.

Their speeches and their words profound.

They thought they were the best on earth -

had much more value, much more worth.

The rugged stones had bragged aloud

below a soft and puffy cloud,

"We're mean and tough and really cool.

We are the best but you're a fool."

"Huge trees?  No match for guys like us!

You cannot answer nor discuss.

Our claims of greatness can't be beat.

This is our club - the great elite."

A tiger laid on rocky ledge

and peered below to river's edge.

The river stones looked way up there.

They were not scared.  They didn't care.

They laughed at the moon and at the sun.

They laughed until the day was done.

They laughed at all that they could see.

They even laughed at you and me.

One year they gasped and looked around.

The change in them was quite profound.

The years brought change that none could soothe.

Those stones were now, not rough, but smooth.

Most hadn't known just what took place.

Not many learned of God's good grace.

That it was His undying love

that showered down from up above,

that brought the rainbow and the rain,

that flowed downstream to ease the pain

of each and ev'ry hard, rough stone

so they might learn and might atone.

Passed quietly, the waters by.

Most stones just laughed and wondered why...

©2017 louis gander