There was a poor son of a stone cutter named Hofus. He was a good and dutiful son to his mother and father. He helped to care for his many baby brothers and sisters. It was a happy family until the Momma got sick and died, leaving the family without a mother. Then upon visiting the shrine, the answer came to Hofus.

"Daddy, we need a Mother for my brothers & sisters, Let me be the Mother," said Hofus.

"Hofus, my son, do you know what you are asking? If you do this, you can no longer be a father," sighed Daddy.

"My Daddy, the priests can make it temporary. When Juno is married, I will become myself. Daddy, will you let me?" asked Hofus.

"Yes my son, go and become "FLOWER," said daddy.

Then Hofus became Flower, Mother of the family and all was well. As the Mother, Flower tended to the needs of her children while the Dad worked as a Stonecutter to provide for his children. The Daddy instead of using Flower as his wife, married Daisy: Nanny for the household. His Daddy and Rose raised many more children that the ever faithful Flower helped to raise.

In due time, Daddy and Rose went on to heaven. Flower became the Nanny for her many brothers and sisters. Flower never married, she remained chaste through out her life.

Finally, the youngest child was wed. The priests in honor of her many years of sacrifice turned her back into young Hofus.

Hofus used to go every day to the mountainside to cut great blocks of stone. He lived near the mountain in a little stone hut. He worked hard and was a very happy stone cutter. His skill became known far and wide for his ability to cut stone for special needs and requests.

One day he took a load of stone to the house of a rich man. There he saw so many beautiful things that when he went back to his mountain he could think of nothing else. Then he began to wish that he too might sleep in a bed as soft as down with curtains of silk and tassels of gold.

He remembered the time he was Flower so his brothers and sisters could have a Mother, he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only were rich as he!"

To his surprise, a great voice was heard: "Have thou thy wish!"

When Hofus returned home his house had become a palace filled with beautiful things. Hofus decided to work no more, but he was not used to being idle, so he became involved in community sports. Hofus became quite the sports jock. He excelled at any sport that he participated in. As the team leader, he was able to lead his team to many a victory. Yet, he was humble and gave all credit for victories to his team, he took all the blame for defeats. He made each team a family.

Hofus was celebrating his retirement from sports. The Cheerleaders were in their red and blue sailor-girl uniforms; their legs shapely in the opaque skin tone tights. After the majorette and dancers had finish their routine, Dean Moore introduced Hofus as the coach of the year. The ever humble Hofus then gave a speech commemorating his years as a sports jock.

"I am Hofus. I am but a simple man that has been given a special gift to play sports and lead others to victory. For me, seeing my players receive the rewards they so richly deserve. Me, I accept all of the blame for any defeats that we suffer. "

That night, old Hofus became young again in reward for his years of service. Yes, young Hofus was indeed content with his lot in LIFE. Until one day as he sat by the window he saw a carriage dash past with a prince inside. It was drawn by snow white horses.

When the stone cutter saw this, he began to feel unhappy, and he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only a prince might be!"

And again the same voice that he had heard on the mountain answered: "Be thou a prince!"

Straightway Hofus was a prince. He had servants dressed in crimson and gold, and for a short time he was happy, Hofus was a gentle and kind Master to his household. Many of his servants preferred being servant to Hofus. This pleased him very much.

Indeed, many of his servants asked him to father a child fr them to raise. This greatly pleased gentle and humble Hofus, soon his house became a home as his many children and their families showed him love.

The family of Hofus grew as he taught his many sons and daughters the many skills needed to be a prince or princess. His children married into other royal families or into old money.

But one day, as he walked in the garden, he saw that the flowers were drooping, the grass was dry and brown. And when he rode out he felt the hot sun burn him in spite of his umbrella. Ancient Hofus thought "The sun is mightier than I," then he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only the sun might be!"

And the voice answered: "Be thou the sun!"

Straightway the great sun he became. He burned the grass and rice fields. He dried up the streams.Sun-Hofus took his task seriously. Thanks to Hofus, the Earth became arich and fertile land where many wonderful and fantastic animals and plants came into being. We find the remains today in fossils.

One day a cloud came and rested in front of him, and hid the earth from his sight. He was angry and cried: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only a cloud might be!" And the voice answered: "Be thou a cloud!"

Straightway a cloud he became. Then day after day the cloud dropped rain. The rivers overflowed and towns were swept away. Only the great rocks on the mountain side stood unmoved midst the flood. Cloud Hofus then remembered his life aas a stonecutter, how he could cut the stone in a vry magical way. The cloud looked at them in wonder, then he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only a rock might be!" And the voice answered: "Be thou a rock!"

Straightway a rock he became. Proudly he stood. The sun could not burn him and the rain could not move him. "Now, at last," he said, "no one is mightier than I."

But one day he was wakened from his dreams by a noise, "tap! tap! tap!" down at his feet. He looked and there was a stone cutter driving his tool into the rock. Another blow and the great rock shivered; a block of stone broke away.
"That man is mightier than I!" cried Hofus, and he sighed: "Ah me! Ah me! If Hofus only the man might be!" And the voice answered: "Be thou thyself!"

Straightway Hofus was herself, a poor stone cutter. "What is this? I am now a maiden!!"

Then Hoffie heard the voice again. I can not replace what man has taken away.
The stone cutter removed that which made you a man."

"Then what shall I do? I can not be a stonecutter now!!" she cried.

"While you were a stonecutter, you learned to care for your house. As Flower, you learned to raise and care for your children. As a prince, you taught your children the skills to be both royalty and old money. As the sun and a cloud, you brought new life to the Earth. Now, as the wife, you will care for your husband's home. Look behind you and see your beloved. I give you the skills to be happy as his wife."

Now she was content and happy and never again did she wish to be other than the stone cutter's wife.