The Orb Of Inspiration/Part 1

Empath's journal.

'''Today this smurf will be monitoring the preparations for the Spring Day Pageant that will be coming up in a few days. It is the day that takes place every year in spring when the Smurfs celebrate the arrival of spring with new flowers, new plants, and new clothes. This smurf enjoys spring since this is the time when the weather gets warmer and the Smurfs are allowed to come outside to enjoy outdoor work and activities once again. It's always good to step outside and see that the forest is flourishing again with new greenery that the animals thrive upon. Tapper reminds this smurf of the beautiful garden of Eden in his holy book that the first man and woman were put in charge of by the Almighty, and judging from the descriptions of this garden, this smurf could imagine how beautiful it must be compared to anything else in the world. Unfortunately, man committed the first sin which tainted the world and thus man had to be driven out of the garden by God, who set up an impenetrable barrier around it to keep sinners out. This smurf hopes that someday all creatures will be able to enjoy the bounty of this legendary paradise.''' - As Empath stepped out of his house to make his rounds as the assistant counselor, he could see that preparations for the Spring Day Pageant were underway. A few Smurfs were busy setting up tables and putting up lanterns and other sorts of related decorations, while he saw Handy build a stage with the lumber Carpenter had provided and Hefty had carried. Smurfette and Vanity were busy working together with all sorts of floral decorations, Painter was working on a portrait of the hundred Smurfs, and Farmer was hauling a wagon full of new seeds to plant in his fields. All in all, Empath couldn't help feeling glad seeing everybody getting into the spirit of preparing for the pageant.

"Good morning, Empath," Papa Smurf greeted as he came from the direction of his laboratory. "I see that you're making your usual morning rounds as the assistant counselor."

"You are correct, Papa Smurf," Empath said. "This smurf wants to make sure that all of the preparations for the pageant are proceeding without any problems."

"I know how much you want to help your fellow Smurfs with the preparations, Empath," Papa Smurf said. "It's not easy to just let the Smurfs do things for themselves even with all the wonderful abilities you possess."

"This smurf doesn't want to seem ungrateful that you would trust this smurf with the position of being the assistant counselor and all, Papa Smurf," Empath said. "It's just that this smurf seems somehow 'left out of the loop', as some Smurfs are fond of saying, when this smurf has to restrain myself from participating in the preparations, knowing that this smurf's fellow Smurfs have to learn how to do things for themselves with their own abilities and how to do things together with their fellow Smurfs."

"I can understand how tempting it must be for you to smurf your abilities for the betterment of your fellow Smurfs, Empath," Papa Smurf said. "But I'm sure you're already aware that with great power smurfs greater responsibility, and one of those responsibilities is to smurf your abilities in a way so that your fellow Smurfs will not be so dependent on you for everything. You are after all a very unique Smurf among your brethren, but you can't rule over them as if you are a much greater being like Father Time or Mother Nature."

"This smurf doesn't even try pretending to be either, Papa Smurf," Empath said. "If anything, this smurf at times is jealous for the normal abilities that this smurf's fellow Smurfs possess. It would be a sad day for the village if this smurf ever had to rule over everyone in it like the Psyche Master does the Psyches, and this smurf truly doesn't want to be anything like him at all."

"I'm glad to hear that, Empath," Papa Smurf said. "But I know that you will someday become a wise and fair leader of this village when the time comes for you to smurf that role."

Just then, Tapper approached them. "Smurf o' the morning to you, Empath and Papa Smurf," he greeted them as he was carrying a glass of liquid. "Would either of you care to smurf out the new beverage that I have created for the occasion of the pageant?"

"Uh, no thank you, Tapper," Papa Smurf politely refused.

"What kind of beverage is this, Tapper?" Empath asked as he took the glass.

"It's my own special concoction called the Flower Power, my good Empath," Tapper answered. "It is purely made to make Smurfs feel rather lively around this time of year. Try it to smurf for yourself."

Empath took a sip of its contents. "It tastes like it has every kind of citrus flavor in it, Tapper, with a bit of seltzer added."

"Exactly what I have smurfed, Empath," Tapper said. "Not everything that I create in my tavern has to make Smurfs feel good and relaxed, you know."

"This smurf appreciates your allowing this smurf to try out your new beverage creation, Tapper," Empath said as he took a few more sips from the glass. "By the way, do you need any help in your tavern regarding preparations for the pageant?"

"I have all the help that I need right now, Empath," Tapper said. "Duncan and Tuffy will be busy smurfing barrels of my ales and seltzers into my tavern, and Vino will be smurfing over the wines and juices when he's finished smurfing them."

"This smurf was just asking, Tapper, and appreciates your report," Empath said.

"I can see that you're not entirely comfortable with the position Papa Smurf has smurfed you, Empath," Tapper said. "I certainly don't envy you for the responsibilities that you are smurfed with day after day to make sure this village is smurfing smoothly, even with Hefty feeling like you've smurfed his job away from him."

"This smurf doesn't want to take any jobs away from any Smurf, Tapper," Empath said. "It's just that being the supervisor of everything can make this smurf feel restless for some interactivity."

"That's when you have to learn to let go and let the Almighty smurf care of things, Empath," Tapper said. "You'll have your chance to smurf things when the time smurfs. And now if you'll excuse me, I have to smurf back to the distillery. I'll smurf the both of you later."

After Tapper left, Papa Smurf said, "You know, Empath, that Tapper is right. You'll have your chance to smurf things for your fellow Smurfs when the time Smurfs. You just have to be patient with yourself and with your fellow Smurfs."

"This smurf understands and acknowledges, Papa Smurf," Empath said. "Your wisdom, knowledge, and experience has certainly been useful in helping this smurf understand what it takes to lead a village."