Later the same day…
To use my brother’s metaphor…
The Mission
Stepping through the servant’s entrance into the temple courtyard from the hot dusty street brought soothing coolness to my bare tired feet. I paused a moment at the first Bulumbi booth and looked up at the cherry blossoms floating in the air as a light breeze stirred through the trees lining a flagstone path. As cool peace settled into my soul like the petals touching the ground, I wondered if today I would see my brother training among the other acolytes. My hand touched the latch of the shutter-door of the booth; two voices distracted me from the ritual words. I paused to look toward the voices breaking down the path toward my sun burnt ears.
“When you return with the dowry and pay the entrance price, you may continue your training, StuWiFoo Wan,” clipped and kindly, yet measured and precise, spoke the first voice. Shocked, I recognized the second voice’s reply, “Yes Sensei, I shall go unto the fiercesome northland and return with treasure for the temple.”
I began to wave and call to my brother as I watched him give a final bow to the Master. My greeting was interrupted by the final words of the Master, “A pebble must strike the pond, waves of purpose will propagate.” Suddenly my brother had departed and the Master stepped forward. I had time only to wonder to myself how an old man such as the Master could move so fast when immediately before me stood the small figure of the sensei.
“As for you, wireman, you cannot serve here yet,” interjected the Master. My jaw dropped from the word, “But…”
“The Merchant King of Sealth has called you back into service, Posav Maantenon has requested you himself! You will go tomorrow!” I found myself bowing as the Master’s final words cut into my thoughts, “Your path will twist, but you must bend as the pine tree grows on the mountain rock.”
“Yes, sensei…” croaked my distant voice. My hand was still upon the latch of the Bulumbi booth door. Three hundred twenty-nine flower petals touched the earth. The electric sky darkened. Tomorrow…
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