PJ Swift

The Shadow Maker

Mr. X. lived his entire life in a shadow.  No matter where he was, what he was doing, or the time of day,  a shadow was always cast over him.  Mr. X. was accustomed to this shadow.  As a child, he tried numerous times to escape the shadow, but he never succeeded. No trick or quick movement on his part would suffice. The shadow prevailed.

Then one day, when he was well into middle-age, the all-covering shadow suddenly disappeared.  Mr. X. was instead shrouded by bright light.  Being used to the shadows, this light distressed him, both physically and emotionally.  Just as he had once had an urge to escape the shadow, now he wished to escape the light. But this too was impossible.  No matter where he was, Mr. X. was brightly lit.  He felt exposed, vulnerable and uncomfortable in his new role.   His distress grew greater than what he had ever known. 

But he learned to take comfort in his own shadow.  He had never cast one before, and now he had a constant companion, one that was always loyal and acting only his command.   After some time, Mr. X. realized that he would no longer be someone obscured or defined by a shadow, but that now he was the main actor, the one of influence, not the shadowed, but the shadow-maker.