R E L A X................. br the memory does not br disturb you. br You are happy to br go back in time br to that silly moment br when you first encountered br the mongrel dog br and you were sooo afraid. br br As you return now br to the time and place, br you feel upon your skin br a hot and burning sun, br its golden rays so bright br that warmth and calmness br overcomes you soon. br Renewed with energy br you gaze into reflections br of the nearby creek, br it shows a trim and unafraid, br a youthful lad who bears a smile. br br You turn and see him, br standing there, br a mangy tail between his legs, br a scruffy coat and br ribs symmetrical and prominent. br A critter wearing tags br that spell in bold raised letters br My Name Is Puny. br br There is a tremor as br he turns his eyes away, br a nervous tic to flash br across his ugly face. br But as you stare, with pity br at what you once, br so long ago, br feared more than death, br a very bright br and healing light appears, br surrounding, now, the creature br like a halo. br br And, instantly, br you know br that all your stresses, br fears and negatives br have kindly gone. br There is no need for them br to stay with you, br the master over br life's own fears.