Ethereal Dialogue … 3
I met my friend outside the great glass doors of the sanctuary. I walked to the golden railing of the vast terrace. There was an ornate and wide semi circular flight of stairs on each side of the terrace. The lush green meadows were fresh and invigorating. He was waiting for me at the top of the left side stairs. I walked to him and as we started climbing down the stairs, I asked
– Where are we going?
– To the Lake.
– What lake?
– Don’t ask too many questions. Trust me; you are going to like it.
– How different is this lake from any other lake?
– It is completely different. It is unlike any thing you’ve seen before.
– Is it too far?
– It is just beyond the tree line.
– Wait a minute. This will take us outside the village.
– Don’t worry. Nobody is there to object or stop us. Besides, we shall return before sun down. Why are you so cynical? Loosen up a little.
We walked for a while. The great sanctuary behind us grew farther and farther. My heart was beginning to run a little faster. I was excited. It seemed like a great adventure for me. I never ventured outside of the village before. Those loved ones I left behind, might not be pleased to hear about this. I shall only tell them if I find the place really nice. I might even take them back there if it is worth the trip. I did not notice that we were silent for a long time.
– We are already approaching the tree line.
– Yes, (he laughed) are you scared?
– No. not scared, just apprehensive. (We were walking amongst the trees.)
– Look. Have you ever seen a tree as big as this? Or this?
– No. (I was amazed) what kind of trees are these. Are their fruits edible?
– Of course. Try it. (He jumped and grabbed a branch loaded with red ripe fruits. He plucked some of them and let go the branch) Here, taste this.
– (I took a bite) it is delicious. We don’t have trees like that in the village.
– I told you. There are a lot of things you can enjoy outside the village.
– I am getting tired. How much farther should we go?
– We are just about there.
– (Before I know it, we suddenly came upon a clearing with some rocky walls at the farther end) there is a road to the left. Oh, what is that smell?
– Don’t worry about the smell, you shall get used to it.
– But it is so bad. It is like something is rotting.
– (He laughed) yes, all your sickness and weakness will be purged by this smell.
– (As we walked just around the bend of the road, immediately we came upon a huge horrible scene) whoa… what is THAT?
– The lake. See, I told you. It is unlike anything you have ever seen.
– Are you crazy? You expect me to plunge into this?
– We … we are going to swim into this fantastic water. It is therapeutic.
– Not me. (There seemed to be pillars of fire shooting out all over the surface of what he called the lake. it did not look like water. More like a smelly dark brown liquid so hot that it was actually boiling. The stench was so overpowering, it made it hard to breathe.) I am not going to come any where near this.
– Look how clear the water is. There are hardly any waves. You can virtually see the bottom of the lake with all these beautiful colored shells.
– I don’t know if you are blind, but I am looking at a gruesome scene of a smelly lake of fire while you are describing a fantastic dream. I must be on my way back right now.
– Don’t be foolish. Once you step into it, you are going to understand what I mean.
– No. no. I must go now. Sorry. (I walked backward a few steps, then I whirled around and started running)
– Wait you fool. You came all this way, and you won’t even try it? (when I did not respond, he started running after me)
I ran through the rocky road, then through the trees. It was getting dark and I was almost sure I am going to get lost. Yet, I did not stop. I got so tired. Then I realized that he is still running after me, babbling his incoherent words as both of us were out of breath. I had to push on. He almost caught up with me. I stopped for a moment and turned around. We stood there looking at each other. I was frightened. He was surprised. I did not understand him; neither could he seem to understand why I was running. Then I turned again and started to run without being sure if I was running in the right direction. I spent the whole night running. I kept Falling down and rising again. Staggering from tree to tree, I got quite filthy with mud, sweat and dirt all over me. As dawn approached, I finally saw a break in the trees. The green meadow at last… I dashed through the tree line, and burst into the open meadows. I felt my heart about to burst, but I did not want to stop. I kept running and screaming like a crazy child. After long last, I reached the bottom of the staircase. I hugged the balustrade and started inching my way up the stairs. As I reached the top I fell onto the terrace, and began creeping towards the great glass doors. That is when my heart almost stopped. The doors were sealed shut.
I fell to the ground sobbing madly. My clothes were torn; dirt and blood covered my sweaty face and bruised body. I closed my eyes as I got too weary to cry. Suddenly, I heard the voice of my friend at the top of the stairs …trying to convince me to go back with him …
– The doors are shut. They don’t want you back.
– I’d rather stay here by the door. When they come inside, I shall be able to see those I love…I don’t have to touch them, it is enough for me to see them … I don’t want anything more.
– They will see you. Those glass doors are very thick and strong. But they can see you too. And that will be tragic. Look at yourself…
– (I turned to look at him. He almost made sense. I looked at my hands and my bruised body.) You may be right. I should wash first.
– In the lake… you can/
I screamed in his face… frantically, I pushed my body against the glass doors and started banging them with my bloody fists crying, “open up…open up…please….please…”
The lights came up inside the great hall. The king was standing, surrounded by his children. My heart melted completely. I did not want to spoil this moment with my filthy existence. I dropped my hands down, still leaning on the doors, and started to fall down slowly to the ground. Suddenly, the doors split open and I fell into the threshold. The king was standing next to me. He leaned over and grabbed my hand. He pulled me up to my feet. I could not look at his eyes. But he touched my chin and lifted my face to look at him. He was smiling …and he took me into his arms and hugged me.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Psalm 91:14)