The Three Fires

There were three fires along a beach one night. A man who was walking along the beach could see all three.

As he came upon the first one, it was a roaring bonfire fifteen feet tall. Several people were dancing around it. “Join us!” they called wildly. “No other fire burns as large or as bright as ours.” But the man passed on.

He came to the second fire. It was a smaller fire around which some people talked amongst themselves. “Join us,” they said, “for our fire is comfortable and peaceful, and you can rest here with us.” But the man passed on.

He came to the third fire. It had burned down and was now just a pile of embers and hot coals. “Join us,” the people said quietly, “for our fire is old and small, but it is good for cooking and you can still be warmed by it.” But the man passed on again, and soon he was far down the beach.

And as the night grew cold around him, he found he had no warmth and no friends to be with.