He staggered a little noticing an object, a full brick heading towards him. His eyes fixed on the flying brick directed straight to him. It got closer and closer, His eyes and thoughts were fixed on nothing else but the brick. He tilted his head slightly upward, looking at it amidst the glaring sunlight. He closed his eyes due to the blaring sunlight and at that moment felt a strong thrust against his forehead. It gave out a loud ‘CLUNK’ as it collided with his skull.
Shocked with what had happened he thought to him self that he always managed to easily dodge any sudden attacks; he paused and reasoned with himself and decided that it must be the cold that he had caught recently and that it was interfering with his senses and reflects. The reddish brick now shattered to pieces on the ground. He dusted the sand from his forehead and resumed walking.
He was in the middle of a journey that had a significant purpose; an expedition/ journey to craft him into a physically and mentally strong person. There were people who were depending on him. He wanted to be strong enough to defeat the evil doers that stole their home, land and even after that still return to kill and torture his people. Most of the young men in his village were caught and killed as they grew older. When he reached 15 his parents thought that it was best for him to leave and decided that he should depart from them.
Though he was unwilling at first, his parents explained to him that they didn’t have another way to ensure his safety and that it was his fate. That particular night marked the start of a new life and a new journey.
His name was Ahmad Pen Bin Pensil. His grand Father loved to write and had a huge collection of pencils. His love of those writing materials were so deep that he vowed that if he had a son he’d name his son Pensil and he was true to his words.
That passion was inherited by his son but unlike his father he was into something better, pens. Pensil loved pens and he too had a collection of exquisite pens.
Pensil was married to a beautiful woman for a few years already but was unable to produce an offspring. So Pensil like his dad, vowed that if he had a son he’d name him Pen. And he too true to his words father named his only child, ‘Ahmad Pen’. At first his friends and the villagers weren’t used to calling him that but they tried to adapt. Later they improvised and came up with a more authentic and a more comfortable name for them to call; they called him, Pian.
Pian now a teenager had long curly hair that reached his shoulders. He was dark, well built and at medium height. He had sharp dark brown eyes and carried a pleasant smile. He wore a worn off grey looking slack which once used to be black in color and a sleeveless top made from the same material as his pants. His only baggage was a bundled up cloth. In it were some clothes, food and his mother’s comb that she gave to him to comb his hair and for keepsake. The bundled cloth was tied to a stick which he carried easily on his shoulder.
His father once said that theirs is a destiny to die fighting. At first he didn’t comprehend it but after sometime he understood what his father said. He had to fight either against his enemies or against his own desires, he was sure that this life of his would be a long battle. And he hope that he’d come out victorious. The thought of his enemy who were always superior in numbers, weaponries and cunningness made him worried but he figured that as long as he could live on there’ll be a solution to his problems.
He always thought about his parents, and his friends that he grew up with. Some, whom were already captured by the enemy or like him, had to escape and leave his family in order to keep on living. He missed his family dearly and this was the first time he lived away from them. He reminded himself that he had a goal and until achieving that he couldn’t risk going back and die in vain.
He often thought of them and feared for his parent’s safety, living their lives under the control of the evil kingdom. No one from his village came close to the enemy and no one had known the face of the evil king. The difference between his people and the enemy was too vast that it wasn’t even a war. It was like a fight between a crippled man with no weapons in his hands against a healthy man with a gun in his hand. No one helped them. The neighboring villages too fell into the control of the greedy and power hungry. Before long their power, and reign kept on expanding.
During his first days Pian had trouble adjusting with his new life but he knew that if he wanted to continue living he had to eat and keep himself safe. But more importantly he had to get used to the solitude and the emptiness that he began to be aware of more and more.
He started by collecting fruits that he picked up on the ground or climbed up trees to pick them. He even managed to find a safe spot on one of the huge trees to sleep in. this continued for almost a month. He dared not to travel too far from where he had gotten accustomed to.
After a month or so he began adapting to the lifestyle and felt safer living in the wild. Nevertheless he grew tired of being alone and being at the same place. He began thinking and contemplated on expanding his horizons and learning new things as was told by his parents.
He came to a decision and started heading in the direction of knowledge and wisdom. He went on walking in the lands that he was not familiar with. Quite sometime later he reached a river and he stopped there to take a drink and clean himself up.
He began to realize that there were people around him and was quite surprised to meet a group of people walking in the thick forest. Unfortunately he stumbled onto some rowdies. At first he was excited about meeting them. It felt like ages since he had last met anyone. He greeted them and they greeted him back by demanding for his money and belongings.
Pian refused and ended up having to fight the rowdies to save his stuff. But he forgot that he was no longer sparring with his friends and these guys were ruthless and determined. Though he managed to give up a fight he failed to beat them and ended up with his back on the ground all bruised up.
Pian was too weak to continue on with his journey for that day. He yanked himself to the safest spot he could muster, almost immediately closed his eyes. In his sleep he could feel his body freezing and aching. The night was cold, the bruised areas on in his face felt like sharp nails poking through his face. His dream was scary and he dreamt of strange wild animals trying to get a piece of him. His stomach was empty but he remained there unmoved, too weak to do anything else.
When morning came he felt the sun shining on his face and he felt relieved that it was daylight. He went to wash himself at a nearby river and drank the fresh water till he couldn’t anymore. Later he went looking for food to feed his empty stomach.
He could still feel the pain in his bones as he walked with his stomach churning badly. He managed to get a hold of some fruits that fell to the ground. He sat down and ate them. Pian then gathered a few more, took out a cloth he had with him and laid it on the ground. He picked up the fruits and placed in the cloth and tied a knot. He was feeling a little better and felt that he had gain some energy from the fruits he ate.
As he went on with his journey he met the same bullies that hurt him the day before. He cursed himself for being so unlucky and for not picking a safer route. They laughed and teased him as they saw him walking. He was too weak to run. And as expected the rowdies again wanted what he had with him. He fought back with as much strength left in him. He failed to protect his belongings again and fell to the ground as the bandits walked away laughing joyously.
This time his body ached more severely than it did the day before. He cursed them and vowed to become stronger. That night, he had trouble sleeping and when he finally managed to get some sleep he was awoken again by the nightmares. He felt really weak and sick but he just laid there, violated by the pain and the bad dreams.
This continued to happen quite frequently for a period of time. No matter when and which route he went the bullies always managed to bump into him. It couldn’t be coincidental, he thought. He figured that he must be cursed and what made it worse was each time he confronted them, he lost to them. Even when he didn’t have anything for them to take they’d harass and beat him up and screech at him.
However as the saying goes, ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. Pian too became a better fighter and a stronger person both mentally and physically. He began thinking of what he did wrong and how to face the three bullies more effectively. He no longer had the nightmare that he used to. For the days to come he had become more and more efficient and comfortable living in the jungle. Building a fire wasn’t a problem and he even could light a fire using damp sticks. He started eating meat that he had managed to get. He also learned several skills like hunting, fishing, cooking and sewing.
One day as he was traveling further away heading towards the mountains away from the neighboring villages; he remembered on how the people he had met and the people in his village used to talk about the mountains for being treacherous and magical.
As he was approaching the mountain he once again met with the 3 bullies that he loathed. But they appeared to be different this time; they had different expressions in their face. Their expressions were grim and they were just staring sharply as they walked past each other. One of them called out and said, ‘don’t go into the mountains.’ He knew that something was wrong but he didn’t bother to ask and that was the last time he saw the 3 petty thieves.
After that he didn’t encounter any humans. He traveled deep into the thickest forest. The bites from small insects didn’t bother him anymore; either that or he was already immune to it. The thickness of the jungle didn’t scare him anymore. Occasionally when he came across animals that were too strong for him he’d climb up a tree and wait for it to leave...Most of the times he slept and rested on higher grounds or on huge trees with giant branches sprouting out from them.
Finally after weeks of walking he could see the immense mountains in front of him. He walked on, passed a few and stopped at one. It had several huge openings that resembled entrances. It was a cave he realized and as he found out later, there were several more holes that led to somewhere he was oblivious to.
Pian decided to make a small fire with what he could find and with what he had brought with him and as he did that he heard a voice calling towards him. He was shocked at first but the voice he heard was old and gentle.
‘Hey you, Hey you boy.’ he turned around and saw a white figure sitting on a rock. Pian replied, ‘why didn’t I see you before? And yes?’ The white figure gestured with his hand for Pian to come closer to him. As Pian got closer he realized that the figure was of and old man who was fair, had a white turban on his head and had a long beard that reached his belly. He wore a long white robe and despite the dusty cave his clothing looked new and unaffected by the dirt and dusts.
‘Yes?’ Pian enquired again. ‘It is not polite to ask too many questions boy.’ the old man said. He looked like a man who had gone through a lot in his life and he was charismatic as he spoke. And before Pian could say that he was sorry the old man spoke again, ‘come and sit next to me, and before that introduce yourself starting with your name.’ the old man stopped and waited with his eyes closed as if listening attentively.
Pian introduced himself and when he told the old man about his name and how he got his nick; the old man shook his head and almost shouted, ‘how stupid people can be at times and what a stupid name you have.’ He paused and added, ‘wait it might not be as stupid just strange.’ Pian got mad hearing that but he didn’t want to be disrespectful so he shook the thought off his head.
‘Now let me tell you about myself.’ The old man said. Before he could start introducing himself he stopped for a moment, and added, ‘why waste time introducing myself, it’s not like that’s important. It’s been such a long time since I’ve talked to someone. I have so much to share. But not my name’
Pian got annoyed and interrupted the old man and asked in an annoying tone, ‘Whyy? why do I have to listen to what you say old man?’ and as soon he finished, Pian noticed that the old man now had a bamboo stick in his hand. He was sure that he didn’t have one before. Pian enquired with his eyes wide opened, ‘where did you get that from?’ the cave around him began to light up a little. The only replied that he got from the old man was, ‘Bend over.’ He said in a soft tone but in the barely lighted and emptiness of the cave his voice transcended a very sharp, strict voice to Pian’s ears. Pian slowly bent over and the old man still sitting on the huge rock swung the long bamboo stick and struck Pian’s butt. The pain was excruciating, it felt like his flesh were torn But he dared not check.
Pian now seated next to the old man and was listening attentively to what the old man was saying. He sat beside the old man for almost 3 days now only stopping for eating and sleeping. He really had so much to tell, pian wondered where he got these stories from. Though some were boring but there were some that was interesting and fun to listen to. The old man was a good story teller. He spoke of almost everything, His childhood, his teachers, wives, sons, daughters, grandsons and his enemies.
On the fourth day he said, ‘my mouth is getting tired, I think I should rest it a little.’ Pian smiled at the old man and thanked God for that.
The old man then asked about Pian’s reason of traveling alone and his reason of coming to the cave. Pian then told him about why he had to get out from his home and what he wanted to gain in his journey. The old man listened carefully and nodded as Pian spoke. He even patted Pian’s back probably sympathizing him. Finally he nodded again and said, ‘I understand.’ He paused looking a little unsure at first but then said, ‘I can help you accomplish your goals.’ He closed his eyes and appeared to be thinking of something, he resumed, ‘but in return you have to live with me, listen and do everything I say. Secondly you’re only to leave when I think you’re capable of doing so.’
Everyday since then, Pian was occupied with doing the things that the old man wanted him to do and listening to his stories. Every morning he had to jog and find for food. His jogging route and timing were the same and he had to return at a precise time. He had to always stay close to the old man.
‘Come here boy with a stupid name.’ he called one day and as Pian sat close to him, he said, ‘firstly, I’ll teach you to write with, it would be a shame if you didn’t know how to write.
His day consisted of several learning sessions; the old man did as he promised. Pian was happy and felt fortunate that he had met the old man. He felt like he was really improving. And when the old man taught him on how to defend oneself, he learned diligently.
After a few months the Old man said that he was going to teach Pian something important for his well being the old man taught him on how to meditate and its techniques and on the several ways and on which techniques to apply according to what he wanted to accomplish. Pian had to learn and meditate like the old man did. And for a while it seemed like the only thing they did.
It did introduce him into a whole new world and to something that he never thought existed.
Although at times the old man’s request was too much, for instant he’d asked Pian to climb up the cave and gather bird’s nest and when Pian denied, the old man would threaten him with his bamboo stick. However Pian felt better now that he didn’t have to live alone and better still he had learned many things about the world and him self that he was oblivious to all this while, Having the old man as a blessing to Pian.
The old man also taught him on how to be more contemplative with what he heard and see and on his own accord figure out whether it was something he could believe in or not.
But the old man as usual prioritized meditation, he always said, ‘by meditating one learns many things including facing his own fears and getting to know oneself better. When one has reached a certain level he can journey through the worlds and experience many things just by meditating’ he added. Hence, Pian had to practice on his meditation for hour’s everyday.
After what seemed to be more than a year of being with the old man, the old man stated, ‘I think it’s time for me to go home now or else my wife would start to worry.’ Pian couldn’t believe what he heard at first, ‘but I thought your wife was dead and you didn’t have a home.’ He stated in an angry tone. The old man almost chuckled, ‘let this be another lesson to you, never trust what you hear a 100% always contemplate and have doubts about what you see and hear. Pian felt lied to and was angry but he couldn’t be angry with the old man. So he reluctantly with his head down said, ‘ok.’
‘While I am gone, continue doing what I taught you for another 2 months and after that consider your lesson over, and with that you are free to do what you want.’ The old man gently lifted his right hand. Pian responded after a few idle seconds on looking at the old man took it with both of his, bowed and kissed it. He said, ‘thank you’ and just like that the old man vanished.
The next morning, Pian woke up and walked around restlessly and made him self busy by gathering sticks for the fire, making himself food to eat, tidying up the place and reading some of the old man’s note. Once he felt that he was ready to get some rest, he made his bed and tried to sleep.
He was so used to the old man’s presence that he now felt empty and alone. He wanted to leave the dark cave that was filled with bats, snakes and insects. Nevertheless he adhered to the old man’s words and continued with his lessons. Pian concentrated more on his meditation that helped him calm his nerves and explore his boundaries. He was good at it now and could travel in his exploration and learn many things while just sitting on a rock with his eyes closed.
The nights were especially lonely for Pian, not having the old man feed him strange stories and teach him new stuffs. Pian felt sad not having someone to confide in and not having his only friend by his side.
Pian spent more and more of his time meditating and venturing into place he never been before. His master had warned him about going to strange places. And about meditation in which not everyone gains the outcome that they intended. It was like going on a journey in one’s own mind accompanied by thoughts and fantasies.
During one of these sessions he met with a woman who appeared to be glowing white wearing a long white cloak and claimed that she had the power to foretell his future. Pian was intrigued and so she began, ‘as u start to journey out from this cave to make a change, as told by the old man you have to find people who shares the same goal as you do and come up with a plan to terminate your ever so powerful enemy. And so you begin recruiting, you will realize how much you differ from other people and have difficulty dealing with them but you still try to adapt and stick to your goal. Your friends would eventually betray you; you will fall prey to the beauty of women and to the luxury of life that you will forget your goal and die as a diseased filthy man. She waited for his respond and when he didn’t say anything she resumed, ‘don’t waste your life.’
She stood back after that and a very thin old man with balding white hair and a cigarette in his mouth who looked a little like Carl Jung stepped close enough and said, ‘your enemy has no conscience it was a nation that was once tortured. The healthy man does not torture others; generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers. If you go against them they’ll deceive, torture, tempt you and use any ways they can to fail you. They’re like the brothers of the devil who has no morals and values and will stop at nothing.’ He looked at Pian’s worried expression and said, ‘your faith will be decided as soon as you make up your mind to fight against them. Pian looked confused now the man then shouted, ‘you will fail!’
Pian tried to calm himself down and concentrated on doing so but now the woman and the old man stood side by side Pian’s surrounding turned into a beautiful garden. It was filled with colorful flowers, brids chirping, cute animals and a stream that smelled sweet. They both simultaneously said in a soothing voice, ‘take our hands and you’ll live a happy life for the rest of your life. You don’t have to go through hardships anymore. All you have to do is take our hands.’ and with that they extended their hands to him. Pian was confused as he looked at them and he was almost mesmerized by them.
Suddenly the old thin man disappeared leaving the woman in the cloak behind. She removed her long cloak and as it hit the ground. Pian noticed that she looked like too beautiful and he realized that she was wearing a very transparent white dress. He could see her round full breasts from her transparent dress. Pian was mesmerized.
But as he was heading towards her he thought about the old man and noticed his surroundings changing once again and he was alone again in pitch black. The old man his master was back and stood in front of him, he appeared to be furious. The old man appeared in front of him and told him, ‘how much vulnerable more can you get my foolish student?’ he shouted, ‘to simply listen and believe in what you hear, have I not taught you anything?’ And apart from the old man everything else was black. He stood there with his white and transcending himself in the darkness. The old man moved his hands a little. Pian’s surrounding changed at first into a green sunny day with great trees and sparkling rivers.
Pian was astounded by what he was experiencing the exact place changed into a dry, hot place. Pian could feel his discomfort and the heat made him sweat a little. As he looked at the old man it changed again into a place filled with snow instantly changing into white. ‘Miracles are not a test, and anyone can perform miracles. You must always come back to your basic and the fundamentals of your beliefs. Do not be fooled by their handy works.’
He woke up the next day fresh and relieved. He realized that it was already time for him to leave the cave. He got ready and once he was prepared he started towards his village. Pian was ready to face his enemies and prepared to learn and experience newer things.
