The Uninvited Guest

KL 3/19/16

When Inner Beauty was born her parents spoke her name. Gently smiling, they were delighted their child's name had come to them at the same time.

It was not that they didn't see it. It was just that her radiance was so much more present. The newborn's right arm was shriveled. 

As she grew into a young child, everyone had the same reaction to her- joy at her presence only later noticing her arm, as if it were a side issue not worth mentioning. Inner Beauty had no bad feelings about herself; she was the embodiment of love, kindness, compassion and something no one could name.

As a young woman, she had many suitors. Though she was friendly to all, she gave a consistent reply: It is not time. She did not say she was not ready, just simply. It is not time. There was one suitor, Of Many Tongues, who brought her little useful gifts. Still he received the same answer: It is not time.

 One day, before dawn, suddenly Inner Beauty was with child. Knowing she would be ostracized, she kissed her mother and father and said it is time for me to leave. I will return. 

Months passed as she rode her horse - for she was an excellent rider- into the foothills, then to the very foot of the Sacred Mountains.

She lived well in the wilderness, never being lost, wandering joyously with her newborn.

She returned to the village, fully expecting what was about to happen. Men and women called her vile names. Their words echoed from the far-off Sacred Mountains. Instead of returning in thin tones, their words came back to them in full force, almost knocking them to the ground.

Some threw stones. The stones turned to dust in mid-air, falling gently to their feet covering their toes in warm, dry earth.

Some shot arrows. The arrows turned to flame, rising high above the infant's head. Suddenly he was a toddler.

The flames coalesced into a ring of fire, then concentrated itself into a magnificent ball of brilliant many-colored light. The miniature fireball floated just above the youngster's hand.

He said, Mother, I thank you for giving me life and for teaching me joyously. As a gift, I give you this - he gently guided the ever-diminishing miniature sun to float above her withered right hand. Instantly she was made whole. Her powerful arms embraced her son as he said, Mother I must now leave you. For an instant she was fearful, terrified. Then he took a step, then fourteen more. With each step he grew a year older.

Sometime after he departed, Inner Beauty turned to her friend, saying Of Many Tongues, It is time for us to marry if you will still have me after waiting all this time. He gathered her in his strong arms.

They had many children and a bountiful life...

Suddenly one day...

Fifteen years later, the young man returned. He found his people in preparation for a terrible battle. His stepfather, Of Many Tongues was at the war council, translating.

The young man, entered. All were shocked to see the uninvited guest. He said, honored stepfather I must speak with you - alone. Men got up to attack the young man. They could not approach. There was an invisible shield surrounding him.

The stepfather and stepson were now alone. The young man spoke. You have been good to my mother and so you have been good to me. You have a gift of understanding many nations' languages. You have another gift of which you are only slightly aware. You can see into men's hearts and know their minds. Return to your war council knowing this about yourself.

The stepfather and stepson embraced, the older man said son, you have a new name, it is The Peacekeeper.

Of Many Tongues returned to the angry men. He waited for a long time listening to the beating of his own heart which he heard above and below the terrible din of the shouting, angry men. 

When all was quiet, he spoke. Tell me... tell us, first one, then another, all the things you need to say, my angry brothers. They screamed we are not brothers. Of Many Tongues understood - but kept to himself- that siblings often are in competition with each other, sometimes bitterly so. He felt older, made wiser by his son. He felt honored and humbled at the circle of wisdom and life.

The council lasted many days as each man patiently heard and felt what his counterpart from another nation had to say.

Many shouts, tears and much laughter later, all the men were truly brothers. Battle and war were postponed for another day.