The Failure

The young phoenix arose to view Columbus sail into the islands. He saw him enslave the the natives and kill many who opposed him. He moved north to the main land. He witnessed the colonization of the American continent. He saw the coming of the western migration and the death of the native population. He viewed the railroads and taking of land. He witnessed civil war and industrialization. He saw the two world wars and epidemic diseases spread. He witnessed greed and poverty, war and destruction.

Soon his 500 years were done and he prepared his pyre. He was sad. The phoenix had learned much in 500 years. However, a phoenix was suppose to learn values and ethics and morality. This one had not. He had lived in America for 500 years. He would step into the fire, be consumed and die, and he would not re-emerge. He had failed.