Short Stories

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C O M M O N S E N S E

“Trapped”

Once upon a time or so the story goes, a man who had witnessed countless injustices was moved to action. Over a period of time, he had seen how the ruler of the land had incarcerated untold numbers of inhabitants in a great dungeon at the bottom of his castle. Fearing only for the safely of those inhabitants, he struck. Climbing over the walls at night, he made his way through the castle into the depths of the dungeon where he retrieved three keys to release the captive. Slowly, quietly, and deliberately, he opened the cells one by one. Some followed him aiding in the release of others. Some simply ran on to safety, but there were some who remained in their cells.

Coming upon one cell, he noticed that the captive was bound in heavy chains and bolted to the floor. “You are now free.” The words came from the savior as the door swung open. “Come and go with us.”

“I can’t” returned the voice from the captive. “I am bound with this chains which are bolted to the floor.”

“I don’t have a key to fit those locks,” came the answer from the man. “Should you find the key your door to your cell will be open and you can go free. But remember, the morning is coming and the dungeon master with it who will trap all of those who remain here.”

Early the next morning, the dungeon master awoke to see the entire prison freed. Angrily, he walked peering into each open cell. His only delight was to find some still bound in their heavy chains bolted to the floor. “Why didn’t you leave like the rest?” He asked. "I was bound with these heavy chains which are bolted to the floor.”

“You fool, the key to your locks was in your hand all the time. But now your joy will be to spend your forever with me’ laughed the dungeon master.


COMMON SENSE SAYS: Our cells have been opened and the captives set free, but it is things that we keep in our hearts that create our deepest prison. Unforgiveness, malice, hatred, and greed are all chains that bind our hearts that only repentance can unlock.

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