Red Lipped Lady

(Author’s Note: Red Lipped Lady is ‘temptation’  Some could not resist although it meant falling off a cliff for power and riches.  The only two that could turn away from temptation were the strongest.  The villagers that jumped were representing ‘greed’ and the things people do over greed)

It was peaceful that night. Wind brushed past the trees and then disappeared into the moonlight.  Stars glimmered in the sky allowing for even the most evil of spirits to withdraw.  A girl no louder than your quietest whisper wandered throughout the maze. Somehow she engrossed you and brought you under her spell.  Her red lips parted only once to whisper, “Come with me.  I will give you power and riches.”  Those simple sentences were enough for the men of the village to follow the Red Lipped Lady through the darkness. Soon they came to a cliff and all of the men looked over.

 “Red lady, we cannot walk further.” 

“Take one more step off the cliff and the power is yours.  Turn around you will not have anything.”  The Red Lipped Lady was intriguing and no man left the edge of that cliff.  For a while they stared over the immense drop and awaited for the bravest of them to step over the edge. 

“I will!” announced the biggest of the group.  “And you will see men that I will have endless riches and power.”  he jumped off the cliff.  That man fell and disappeared underneath the fog clouds. 

Soon, there were only two men left who had not jumped.

“Oh, Red Lipped Lady we do not want to fall,”  the eldest of the two admitted.   

   “But, the power.  The riches will not be yours.”

“I would rather go back to my family.” Both turned and started back to the village. 

“Wait, are you sure?”  The youngest nodded.  “Well the power and riches are yours to keep.  You resisted me and that is something only the bravest and strongest of men can do.”  She vanished from the cliff and was to never be found.