S. O. Johnson

“BEAUTYI was charged with finding Beauty. The order whispered as I slept. A voice said it was my duty. Then quietly it wept.Filled with purpose, I set out. I was honored with my quest. In my mind there was no doubt I was up to this great test.In my garden I stopped first. My roses were in bloom. Their bright red glory burst With others mixed on Nature’s loom.Then a lady drew my gaze. She was gliding o’er the grass. Her features would gods amaze. I sighed deep and let her pass.A cathedral’s spire reached to the sky, Man-made wonder to behold. No sight more pleasing to the eye Than such a work both grand and bold.I came upon a mighty mountain, Snowcap glistening against blue sky. My eyes were drinking from beauty’s fountain. Yet I knew I could do better with another try.My journey lengthened. I crossed the earth. My will strengthened. To place beauty’s birth.Witness I was to the wonders Of beauty’s many layers. Fiery sunsets, tropic thunders, Children at their prayers.But each time I thought me near To beauty’s absolute, Something better would appear Even closer to the root.I wandered thus for many years. Despaired to ever reach my goal. I often found myself in tears. I had searched from pole to pole.Until one day on a dusty street In a poor part of the world, I found a woman begging at my feet, Her fingers gnarled and curled.I fished my pocket for a coin, Thinking good luck could be bought. Her eyes raised up to my eyes join. And I saw the woman owned what I sought.She let me pass into her soul. Into the garden there. Never in my life whole Had I conceived a sight so fair.I saw the Holy Face of God, From whose smile all beauty is born. All the steps that I had trod Were redeemed on that sweet morn””

“And horse-stealing,” said the Water Rat, adding his mite. “And impersonating a washerwoman, and defrauding the rails, and horse-stealing”

“But the Rabbit did not care. This Toad”