The original manuscript was titled, "Please, Leave My Child Behind," a not so subtle hint at the author's point of view. Upon reflection I decided to change the title to "Lead on Softly," a perhaps more gentle and gracious heading. The phrase comes from the story of Jacob's meeting with his brother Esau after many years of separation. Having reconciled, Esau offers to leave his 40 warriors to act as drovers and hasten Jacob's journey home. Jacob with his flocks and herds and family and servants did not accept the offer realizing that these men had no heart for the care of his possessions or...

A short story detailing the mystical relationship between stone and water, the known and the unknown, and time and chance as they relate to the journey one undertakes towards self-actualization, spirituality, and eternity.