esson 49b: Stone Six and Stone Seven

he night is clear and I gaze at the stars. A gray tabby cat comes and sits on my lap and we enjoy each others' warmth as I stroke his fur. Soon others arrive. First a blond woman, then a blond and bearded young man, then a brown-haired young man with a harp. An older man just beginning to gray leads a young maiden. Around the fire, we tell of quests old and new, past and present.

The blond woman's name is Anne, and she speaks and moves with queenly grace. She tells of exploring five different rivers all the way to the source, and discovering that they all came from the same source. Yet their waters had different colors and flavors, as they flowed through different lands.

Colin is a knight. He advises: "Right is might! And not the other way around. If one is bound, we are all enslaved. Those who can should look out for those who can't. If good people would unite and work together, we would have greater justice."

Daniel is a minstrel, and explains how he once found the Philosopher's Stone, which turns all things to gold. "Although said to be an actual object, it is something within us. For me, it is the joy of music--whether creating or listening to it. It makes the sun shine and auras glow!"

The older man is named Charles, and seems the most experienced of our group. In a rich, deep voice he declares: "It's not whether you win or lose; it's how you play the game. In the end, we all shall die. But if we play this game of life honorably, and carefully consider our moves, our skill and enjoyment increases. And we win."

The maiden introduces herself as Arlene, and explains: "I've just begun the quest. I must be successful. The fate of my people depends on it. I take this quest in service of them. Otherwise, I must marry a greedy tyrant, who will destroy my land and take for himself what is now freely shared by all. I will be servant to all, yet slave to none!"

"We must shine our lights into all dark places," I say. "We must share our truths up and down and far and wide. The game isn't just about moving the pieces, I think. It's also about improving the board."

We talk together until late in the night. We sleep, and wake to go our separate ways on a gray and overcast day.

I reach Adrian's Wall and walk its length. It seems to stretch across the whole world--on and on--monotonously. I'm reminded of traveling as a child, when I would ask, "Are we there yet?" Nothing but grass and stones as far as the eye can see.

I come to a place where the wall is falling down. I wonder if it was done deliberately or if it is the effects of time. Last night, Colin talked about the benefits of doing the right thing, and I think of him as I begin to replace the stones.

"Be grateful for every opportunity to do a good deed," he had said. "There will always be a benefit for you, whether at that time or in the future. Don't pass up these chances. It's like money in the bank!"

The strenuous work of rebuilding the wall clears my head and flushes the boredom and anxiety out of my system. I put the last stone in place, brush myself off and sit on the soft grass to catch my breath and pick a spot to spend the oncoming night. As I rest with my back to the wall, I see that a nearby border marker is glowing. I go have a look. It seems to say 'Rest Stop Ahead' in some ancient language, and indicates that in a not-too-distant stand of trees, I will find shelter for the night.

I go to the trees, and find a lovely glade! The grass is soft and there is a spring where I can drink and wash up. The trees block the wind, so it is actually nicely warm here. I lie on the grass and fall into a deep, untroubled sleep.