Once upon a time, in the divine realms beyond human comprehension, there were two angels in service to the Almighty. As imagined in human dreams and visions, these celestial beings were adorned in radiant garments, their presence a harmony of grace, beauty, and unwavering devotion. They resided in a heaven free from sorrow, pain, or hardshipβa paradise that mortals could only long for.
Their sacred duties were assigned by the Almighty Himself, and they carried them out with perfect obedience. But one day, a question stirred in the heart of one of the angels.
βLord,β he said, his voice trembling with reverence, βYou created humans and granted them a status even higher than ours. Yet they stumble, again and again, falling into sin and error. Still, You forgive them, granting time and grace instead of swift punishment. Why?β
The Almighty looked upon His angel and replied gently, βIf you were human, you would err just as they do.β
The angel, in his pride, could not accept this. βNo, my Lord,β he said. βI would never fail You as they do.β
So the Almighty gave him a chanceβnot as punishment, but as revelation.
The angel was sent to Earth, stripped of all memories of his heavenly origin. He was reborn among humans, granted the role of a wise and respected judge, known for his fairness and virtue.
Years passed. One day, a womanβyoung, breathtaking, and burdenedβcame seeking his help. From the moment their eyes met, he felt something stir deep within him, something new: love.
She told him she could not be with him unless he did one thing for herβsomething against his principles.
βThis is forbidden,β he said, disturbed. βHow can you ask this of me?β
She leaned in, her voice soft and persuasive. βEveryone in this town does it. No one is punished. Why are you so afraid? Isn't love about sacrifice? About choosing someone else over yourself? I know it's wrong, but I also know you. You're kind, powerful, intelligentβ¦ Any woman would want to be with you. But unless you do this for me, I cannot be.β
Blinded by love, he surrendered. For her, he crossed the line he swore he never would.
Together, they built a lifeβfilled with laughter, wealth, children, and joy. For a time, it all seemed like bliss. But as the years passed, the happiness they once knew began to fade like mist in the morning sun. The joy became routine. The love, quiet. Something felt missing, though neither could say what.
Eventually, the manβonce angelβfell gravely ill. He lay in bed, his body frail, but his mind adrift in memories. He thought of the woman he loved, the children they raised, the life they built. He had tasted joy, sorrow, pride, and failure. And through it all, he was grateful.
Then, one quiet evening, a light descended from aboveβsoft, golden, and otherworldly. It hovered above his home, casting a gentle circle on the ceiling, like a whisper from a forgotten realm. Slowly, the light entered his forehead, awakening everything he had once been.
His memories returnedβthe heavens, the promise, the pride.
Tears welled in his eyes.
βI could not walk the path,β he whispered. βNot as I thought I would. I did not understandβ¦ until now.β
He looked up, not with regret, but with a quiet awe, as if something larger than words had settled in his soul. And for the first time, perhaps, he saw humanityβnot as flawed creaturesβbut as something else entirely.
But what that was... he could not say.
And maybe, neither can we.
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