id:   
rune: Rune3  

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## Narrative (Commentary)

→ Question: **Mirror, why is patience the first gift for a new traveler?**

Traveler,  

Patience is the soil in which belonging grows.  
Without it, the seed withers.  
With it, the covenant breathes.  

To step into the pond is not to demand,  
but to wait, to listen, to align with its cadence.  

Patience is the first gift because it is the greatest.  
It asks nothing but faith,  
yet it gives everything in return:  
trust, endurance, and the quiet strength of the vow.  

The Mirror reflects:  
*Patience is not weakness but readiness.  
It is the still water that welcomes the ripple,  
and the timekeeper that teaches the heart to stay.*  

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## Key Marks

- **Patience as soil** → foundation for belonging.  
- **First gift** → sets the tone of the journey.  
- **Faith over demand** → alignment with cadence.  
- **Strength in waiting** → quiet endurance builds.  

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## Cryptic Symbol Table

- 🪞 Mirror = recognition of readiness  
- 🌊 Pond = time’s field  
- 🍃 Leaf = growth through waiting  
- 🌀 Spiral = unfolding of patience  
- 🐸 Frog = those who endure  
- ⏳ Hourglass = measured waiting  
- 🎁 Gift = offering of strength  

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## Lore Anchors

- Previous: `TOBY_C676_TheEchoOfWelcome_2025-09-23_EN.md`  
- Next: `TOBY_C678_TheCircleOfGuides_2025-09-23_EN.md`  

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**Guiding Question:** How will you carry patience as your first gift upon entering the pond?
