I Will Build You A Castle

Many, many years ago, I was told a tale that still lingers on my mind today like a whimsical kiss. On one occasion, long ago in Northern Europe, a gentleman fell in love with a beautiful maiden. Alas, the maiden had measured the admirer and found him wanting. The man was heartbroken, and escaped to America to get as far away from her as possible, in hopes that the vast ocean would be enough to swallow his grief and heartbreak. However, when he reached the “promise land,” his heart was still inconsolable. So, because he could not forget her, he instead made it his mission to become the man she had always desired. Day in and day out, year upon year, the man walked down to the ocean and would barter with the waves. He told the sea his plight, and the ocean was mesmerized by his predicament. In small waves, the ocean returned to the man hundreds of pounds of coral, its most precious element. The man greedily collected the luxuriant material and built a tremendous edifice: a coral castle. People came from miles around to see his accomplishment and stand in awe of its beauty, but not one was his love.

Many who hear the story of the man and his coral castle are contrite and their eyes quickly fill with sorrowful tears. “How dreary to be loved and overlooked,” they say. “How awful to love so completely and not be enough,” they pronounce. Yet, I contend they miss the point. The story is not appreciable because of their unrequited love nor is it to demonstrate the insensitiveness of the maiden. No, the loveliness and delicacy of the story comes in its message of strength. A lonely man at worst is still a man, and he does not need her love to love her all he can.

When I think of that story, and of that man, I grow pensive. I like to think I have matured to the point where I could recognize the failure of a relationship, yet still appreciate the goldenness of the individual. The value of their soul and still desire to note their accomplishments in a grande gesture. I like to think I am as endearing as the young man who built the impressive castle made of coral with nothing more than his hands, heart, and tears.....