He walked quickly across the country side, through the woods, over the rolling hills, among the early spring blossoms in the meadows. It was brisk this afternoon, his robe fluttered by the breeze and his fast pace. Over one shoulder hung a sack where he rested his hand. He used the old, walking staff in the other hand to help push himself along. It made a dull thump on the ground.

Step, step, thump... step, step, thump....

The narrow and rarely walked paths in the country led to one place or another. A single spirit, maybe two, to be gathered and guided at their end. Those were the easier tasks, not that any such task was ever really easy. Some were expected in due time, others happened way too soon it seemed.

Step, step, thump... step, step, thump.... The thumping of his staff grew more determined sounding, a hint of disappointment in his mood. But onward he walked, following the ever widening path. This one led to a city.

He reached the crest of a hill, paused there to rest for a moment. Some distance away were the mass of buildings, homes, streets and the rest of the scene. The people were going about their business of living. Most were not yet aware of what had happened.

He turned to peer into the country side surrounding the city. The others summoned earlier were arriving, following their own paths from all directions. He watched the kindred spirits, some were family others were friends, move into the city. "So many this time," he thought.

He moved on as well. Step, step, thump... step, step, thump.

As he climbed to the top of the last knoll of a hill, the building came into view. Another school. He stood still again, leaned on his staff, slowly shook his head, sadness in his eyes. "When will they ever learn?"

The other spirits had arrived, they stood circling the building. Love and compassion, caring strength came forth from them. A bright, multi-colored radiance.

He sighed and moved on toward the school. Along the way he saw one spirit ember already fully glowing. He held out a hand, "You can let go, the worst is over, come join your other family and friends who are now here." He pointed to the other kindred spirits and sent her on her way.

He went on into the building, moved through the halls and rooms. Most spirit embers were still on the other side, not yet ready to glow in a greater life. Those he left to take care of themselves and others as they so chose. Gave those who desired it, strength and courage to endure. There were some that glowed faintly through the veil dividing the two worlds. He comforted those for now, they were yet ready either.

Thirteen times, each in turn, he held out a hand, "You can let go, the worst is over, come join your other family and friends who are now here." Each time, outside the building, the love and compassion, caring and strength grew.

Still he remained, looking, searching. He thought, "It's always the same, they're the most difficult to find. The darkness hides the glow, like ash on dying coals."

He found the two that were left, stood over them for a while, studied the coals within. Then he gently blew the dark ash off the spirit embers, gathered it into the sack. He watched each as the glowing grew. "You can let go now, your darkness has passed, come and follow me," he said.

He led them to the knoll beside the school. There he turned back to look. The other kindred spirits were leaving, there were thirteen more now. They followed the paths back into the country side, to wander among the forest, hills, meadows, beside rivers and streams, through whatever greater life they believed.

As those spirits left others arrived, different yet the same, a mix of grief and love. He peered farther out, beyound the horizon more brightness began to come from all corners. He saw that those on the other side would manage with the new found help.

He looked back at the school scene, people running about, police arriving, fear and terror, care and help. He spoke as if to himself, to no one yet everyone, not just the two. "See what happens when the darkness grows too great. See how the brighteness comes to fight it back. It's within each of them and all of them together."

He stood and watched, leaning on his staff. "They've given up trying it seems. When will they ever learn?" He looked once more at the horizon. The forthcoming brighteness was steadily growing into a multi-colored radiance.

"Follow along, you've got remedial studying and learning to do." He left by the same paths he came, back out into the country side, into the forests, hills and meadows.

There the paths were many. Some were old and forgotten, grown over with new life. Some led to greater tragedies, others just to individuals. But just as many it seemed led to some form of joy and happiness. He seemed to smile as He passed those. He's walked them all. He's been to the end of each one.