The Left-Right Road

Taking a turn back to the right, the grey of the forest seems to lift slightly, showing a splash of green within the brown leaves. The bushes have the occasional flower in them. The path is now just dirt, without any trace of mud to be found. Although there is still a feeling of sadness all around, joy seems to be mixed with it just a bit. At the end of the road, you can clearly see a town. More and more of it comes into view as you walk on and you can clearly see it is busy with life. As you step into the streets, all you can see in your immediate surroundings is grey. It is all buildings and streets, everything looks industrial, a bustling city. The people look tired, stuck in the drag of daily life, but something in them makes them look happy as well. As you walk to the right, slowly the surrounding seem to transition into something more vibrant, luscious and green. In the middle of the town you are met by the same old man you have met before (although he denies it and keeps talking about his brothers), who looks healthy and happy as he sits with his tea. Before taking up your forever home in the town, the man gives you one final piece of advice: “The difference between a good life and a bad life is how well you walk through the fire.”