There once were two stones who were bathed in the love of the Lord. When they were awake and mindful of this love, they were filled with inner stability and strength. When they fell asleep, they forgot this love and were filled with fear. One day, the first stone fell asleep while the second stone stayed awake. The first stone was filled with fear. “Wake up, my friend, wake up!” the second stone cried, awakened the first stone, and both were well.

The next day, the second stone fell asleep while the first stone stayed awake. The second stone was filled with fear. “Wake up, my friend, wake up!” the first stone cried, awakened the second stone, and both were well.

The third day, both stones fell asleep and were filled with fear. The night was long that night. At the deepest, darkest point of the night, the stones were so filled with fear that a raven flew down and woke them up. The two stones cried out gratefully, “Thank you, sibling Raven! Come join us so we can awaken you when you fall asleep!” Raven replied, “I do not belong with stones, I am a raven. I saw you in your fear and felt mercy, for I, too, know the fear when asleep.” The two stones responded, “We are different in every way, it is true. But we have experienced the same thing: The deep fear when asleep. Come, sibling Raven. Let this one common desire – to awaken each other when we fall asleep – be our bond.” “Is one common desire enough to satisfy all these differences?” Raven responded. The two stones replied, “What is deeper than the desire to stay awake and be filled with inner stability and strength?” The raven flew off and deliberated on this question all day. When it was dusk, Raven returned to the two stones and said, “You are correct: Nothing is deeper than the desire to stay awake. So, I will join you, that you can awaken me when I fall asleep as well. However, I am a creature of the air; when I need to be among my own, I will do so.” The two stones rejoiced and said, “Our common desire is strong enough to bond us together and flexible enough for you to be among your own!” And so, the raven joined the two stones, and they all watched over each other, keeping each other awake. They remained filled with inner stability and strength, and all were well.

© Meisaan Chan