The Child meditated. Mr. Whale communicated with Octavio, and Mr. Eagle flew and gaaaak, jokingly with The Prophet. A vision appeared before her; she saw the old ancient ruins of brilliance and glory gone by.
“Prophet, was the greatest civilization in Greece?”
"Artistically, may be. Why do you ask, Child?"
“Because of the story, you told me about the Xoanon sculptures. I’d like to behold some of those beautifully carved pieces one day.”
“Did the story please you, Child?”
 |
| The Child |
“Yes, they had magnificent ideas, and they became a reality long before even I existed.”
“Yes, we can all learn from the past civilizations but do we?”
"No, Prophet. Sadly, I have to admit that my travels with you are showing me showing me things I wish I didn't perceive."
"Homo Sapiens are strange creatures, Child."
“What happened, Prophet? Why don't we have any of those woody sculptures anymore?”
“Good question, Child. Greed, ignorance, and jealousy destroy.”
“You mean the beauty of another civilization is seldom appreciated by another civilization.”
"Maybe."
“Prophet? Is it not better to learn from another culture than to destroy what they created with their hands?”
 |
| The Prophet |
“Child, because of your knowledge, you can discern Xoanon is a beautiful carved wooden sculpture out of xylem, but many others don't. They don't recognize the Xoanon Sculptures as art; they grasp it as evil that needs to be destroyed."
"Oh, I see. What’s xylem Prophet?”
"You're using the same words you asked me not to use."
"Which words were those, Prophet?"
"Oh, I see."
"Prophet?"
"Yes, Child?
Shalom Aleichem,
 |
| Pat Garcia |
i think once the race is over i would have to read all your posts attentively
ReplyDeletehttp://www.obliqview.blogspot.in
I have been thinking the same about yours. I have just had a beautiful laugh from your Y story. Great job and thank you for coming by.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Profound truths told in this story Pat thank you ...
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, my dear.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Yes, humans sometimes are fearful of what is unfamiliar.
ReplyDeleteI agree. However, I think it is more than just sometimes.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
This is beautiful, Pat! I love that exchange at the end... The way we ask questions really does influence the answer, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI dropped by to get in touch with you about the book you won at Michelle Wallace's blog last week. I sent you an email, but it was returned as undeliverable :( Could you send me one, and let me know which e-format you prefer? My address is guilie (dot) quietlaughter (at) gmail (dot) com. Looking forward to hearing from you, Pat! In the meantime, happy last three days of the A2Z :)
Guilie @ Life In Dogs
Thank you, Guilie, and yes the way we ask questions do influence the answer and our outcome.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
We should pay attention to history because all great civilizations have come to an end. What makes us think that we will be immune?
ReplyDeleteGood question. We are making the same mistakes and don't see it.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
I too wonder why we need to destroy what someone else has created instead of appreciating art for what it is, art. Or architecture for architecture.
ReplyDeleteYes, and it is a mystery. We destroy instead of learning to appreciate.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Xoanon and xylem are things I wasn't aware of. Getting a great education here! It's too bad the wooden sculptures didn't survive over time.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have read about them, they would be priceless if we had them today. They were fine wooden works of art.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
The recent destruction of religious artifacts in Syria by Isis is an example of such horrors. Is it fear that drives this? What is it about other cultures that we fear? I just don't understand. I feel like this child, always asking why as I watch the news these days. :(
ReplyDeleteExactly. As to your questions, those are questions tha I ask myself.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
I don't know what those sculptures are but now I am going to have to Google them. The Child is learning so much.
ReplyDelete@Kathleen01930
Meet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge
Yes, she is. Let us hope she stays open to learning because then she will stay open to change.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
We always seem to fear people that don't look or act or believe like us. That fear must stem from survival instincts passed down from the ancients, but wouldn't it be wonderful to learn from others and appreciate the differences instead? I'm thinking we will one day, but the move toward that way of life seems as slow as one Child at a time.
ReplyDeleteYou have put it very nicely. The progress is slow. I suspect that it is too slow and we will destroy ourselves.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Sad truths in today's entry. We don't always appreciate things the way they could be.
ReplyDelete~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author
Very well said, Patricia. We not only don't appreciate the way things could be, we don't recognize it and that is scary.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Easier to destroy than to appreciate
ReplyDeleteSadly, yes and so we destroy.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
I absolutely agree with Susan's comment. It is incredible to me that we would destroy the art and structures of other civilizations. We can learn so much from them.
ReplyDeleteYes, we can learn so much from others but are we willing to change.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
Such a great way to teach the child of xenophobia. I love the exchange at the end.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. She is such an inquisitive Child.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
The Child IS growing in her wisdom, Patricia. But, yes, ditto Ronel, Gwynn and Susan: Why do we destroy others' art, architecture, history and the beauty of nature's hands? It seems to arise from fear and anger, from ignorance and ego, from the fear of being perceived "a little person," inadequate -- like animals who puff themselves up to make themselves look scary and imposing. But, you know? The one thing no one can destroy is music. The universe is composed of music. Think about that. (I'm not being preachy -- just running a thought -- to a soundtrack, as I write, Liszt's "Vallee d'Obermann" from "Annees de pelerinage - (Suisse).")
ReplyDeleteThat in itself is a blessing. No one can destroy music. It is in the air. It moves our planet and that is a big comfort.
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Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange