Once Upon a Time ....

there was an island where all the feelings lived; Happiness, Sadness,Knowledge and Love - along with all the other feelings. One day it was announced the island was sinking, so one by one the feelings got in to their boats to leave.

Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment, but when the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by in a grand boat when Love asked, "Can you take me with you?" but Richness answered, "No, I can't; there's alot of silver and gold in here and no room for you."

Then Love asked Vanity ( who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel ) "Please help me..." but Vanity replied, "I can't help you, Love; you're all wet and will mess up my boat".

Sadness sailed close by and so Love cried out, "Please let me go with you!" but Sadness replied that he was so sad that he needed to be by himself.

Happiness passed by too, but she was so happy that she didn't even hear Love call out to her.

Suddenly a voice said " Come with me, Love. I'll take care of you". Love was so relieved that he forgot to ask the man's name. When they got to dry land the man went his way.

Realzing how much he owed the man, Love asked Knowledge who the gentleman was that had helped him, and Knowledge replied with deep understanding and said that it was Time.

"Time?" Love asked.

"Yes" replied Knowledge, "because only Time understands how great love is..."

author unknown