Written on a Paper Towel When I Was 13

1970 ©dianegreen

A youth walked down the great, long, richly decorated hall. As he passed each carved statue and golden candelabra, he wondered how such an ascetic, humble man could own such riches. He reached the wondrous door at the end of the corridor and knocked timidly. A voice from within called for him to enter. When he opened the door…. there was a change of atmosphere. It was a lighted room but there were no lights. He noticed a Jack rabbit perched in the corner. There was a carpet of smooth green grass and a harmonious sound of harp. His eyes shifted to the center of the room...where an old man with a shepherd's staff was standing.

“Thou art He?” the boy asked.

“I am,” the man answered. His eyes shined like the morning sun. He was obviously old, but he looked youthful, even boyish.

“I've come to….”

“I know,” the man cut In, “follow me.”

They walked into another part of the room. It was more of a garden, the sweet smell of honeysuckle and apple blossoms filled the air. The youth felt a strange sensation of peacefulness.

“Please let me remain here, Sir,” the boy cried.

“No, you must take your learnings from me into the countryside. I will not be here much longer, and you must tell the seekers about life.”

“But what do I tell them? I don't understand.”

"Tell them, my boy, to wait. Wait for the glories to come. The Earth is just a second in time, but the Ancient Ones know. Life is for peace. Tell them that. Forget the superficial and take in all you can learn about happiness. Happiness begins with warmth. It melts away the icy evil and hate. And tell them, Boy, that I will return, and take them to my home. It is the fool that will mock. Don't let them discourage you. A fool is only as wise as he pretends to be. Time is for the humble.”

“But Sir, who will listen?”

“You will know who is ready. And you will know who is not.”

“How long will it be my Lord?”

As long as it takes, my son. As long as it takes.”