Los Sentimientos Humanos
by: Author Unknown

Once upon a time all of man's feelings and qualities met on earth. When Boredom had yawned for the third time, Madness, in his crazy way, proposed to them, "Let's play hide and seek!"

Intrigue raised an intrigued eyebrow and Curiosity, unable to contain himself, asked, "Hide and seek? What's that?"

"It is a game," explained Madness, "in which I cover my face and count from one to one million while you hide, and when I have finished counting, the first one I find will take my place to continue the game."

Enthusiasm danced, followed by Euphoria, and Joy jumped so much that she convinced Doubt and Apathy, who never found anything of interest. But not all of them wanted to participate. Truth preferred not to hide. Why? In the end, it would always be found. Pride thought it was a stupid game (though in truth it just bothered him that it wasn't his idea) and Cowardice preferred not to take risks.

"One, two, three..." began Madness.

Laziness was the first to hide; he decided not to go farther than the nearest rock.

Faith rose to the sky and Envy hid in the shadow of Triumph, who with its own effort had climbed into the tallest tree. Generosity had a hard time finding a hiding place; each spot he found seemed ideal for one of his other friends. A crystalline lake? Ideal for Beauty. The shadow of a tree? Perfect for Timidity. That gust of wind? Good for Freedom. Finally he finished hiding himself in a ray of the sun.

Selfishness found himself a very good site in the beginning, cool, comfortable, but only for him.

Deceit hid herself deep in the ocean (which was a lie, actually she hid behind the rainbow) and Passion and Desire in the center of volcanoes.

Forgetfulness... I forgot where it hid, but anyway it's not important. When Madness counted to 999,999, Love had not found a place to hide, because every other place was occupied, until she spotted a rosebush and decided to hide among the flowers.

"One million," counted Madness and set out to search. First to be discovered was Laziness, behind a rock three steps away.

Madness then found Faith in the sky discussing theology with God and felt the vibrations of Passion and Desire in the volcanoes. He did not try to search for Envy; he was sure he could find him with Triumph.

He did not have to look for Selfishness, who suddenly flew from his hiding place, which turned out to be a nest of wasps. After much walking, he felt thirsty and found Beauty as he approached the lake. Doubt was easier still; he was sitting nearby still trying to decide where to hide.

Eventually he found everyone else - Talent among the fresh grass, Anguish in a dark cave, Deceit behind the rainbow (which was a lie, if she were deep in the ocean). Forgetfulness forgot he was playing hide and seek. Only Love didn't appear anywhere.

Madness searched behind every tree, in every stream, on top of mountains, and he was about to give up when he came upon a rosebush. Madness moved the branches and heard a cry of pain; the thorns had blinded the eyes of Love. Madness apologized and asked for forgiveness, eventually promising to be her guide. Since then,

Love is blind and Madness always accompanies it.