Once there was a rich man. He met and fell in love with a young maiden. She was lovely in form, and lovelier still in character. He rejoiced when he saw her. Yet he grieved also. For he knew that he was not like her. His face was hideous, and his heart was cruel. He considered how he could win her hand.
Eventually he hit upon a plan. He went to see a mask-maker. He said, ‘Make me a mask that I shall become handsome. Then, perhaps, I may win the love of this noble young woman.’ The mask-maker did as he was bid. The man was transformed into a handsome figure. He tried hard to summon a character to match. It was sufficient to win the heart and hand of the fair maiden, and they we married.
Ten years of increasing happiness followed. But the man knew he was carrying a secret. He sensed that true love could not be founded on deceit. He had to know if his wife really loved him; if she loved the man behind the mask. So one day, with a heavy heart and trembling hand, he knocked a second time on the mask-maker’s door. ‘It is time to remove the mask’, he said. He walked slowly and anxiously back to his home. He greeted his wife.
To his astonishment, she made no comment, nor showed any untoward reaction. There was no scream, no horror, no revulsion. He searched for a mirror. He looked – and saw no ugliness but a face as handsome as the mask, a face so different from his original face. He was amazed and overjoyed – but bewildered and confused. He ran back to the mask-maker to find some kind of explanation. The mask-maker said, ‘You’ve changed. You loved a beautiful person. You’ve become beautiful too. You’ve become beautiful through loving her. You become like the face of the one whom you love.’
I wonder who we love? I wonder who we are becoming.
Revd Dr Sam Wells
