Once-upon-a-time, in the Kingdom of Now (somewhere uncomfortably close to home), there lived a beast called Tomorrow. The Tomorrow-Beast had cast a spell over the entire land, devouring dreams cursing people to a poverty of spirit far beyond just lack of money.

Heroes vowed to catch the bloated beast, slice it open and retrieve the promises it had swallowed; the many books that would be written, picture painted, lifestyle changes, the pronouncements and declarations, hard conversations, vital decisions, and a feast of forgivenesses. But each time they ventured into the lair of the Tomorrow-Beast, as soon as they strained to touch its hide, it disappeared and they found themselves back in the moment as if the elusive hope-eating monster never existed. It was gone, along with their dreams.

The poor unsuspecting citizens lived in fear, knowing that any notion they carried of becoming more than they were, was subject to the nostrils of the Beast. The smell of dreams and Godly ambition, humility and hope, brought the Tomorrow-Beast rearing and raging from its mountain, slimy jaws gaping to gulp them all up.

It seemed better never to dream at all. Never to act on exciting ideas.

Instead, they were placed on the doorsteps each night as an offering for Tomorrow to swallow up, never to be acted upon.

Some even insisted that there were other beasts living with Tomorrow. It was said that their whispered names summoned the Tomorrow-Beast and his fearful family to the towns and villages to fill their bellies.

“One-Day.”

“Some-Day.”

Their names seemed so playful, so harmless, but heartbreaking experience proved that they were greedy and merciless.

In one small unimpressive town, nestled in the valley, was a little man called David…

To be continued https://davidleemartin.com/the-epic-tale-of-the-tomorrow-beast-and-the-tiny-knight-part-2/