The River: Part 4
B Y   P A U L   C O N R A D   B U F F

Chapter 11: "Disaster"

Daybreak awakens the family, and, after consuming a few more berries, they set about to prepare for their journey. But first, the raft must be tested.

Fortunately, the pool at the bottom of the falls has provided an ideal launch site. The water is relatively still and shallow enough to safely wade into.

Having developed a plan, Mada attaches several vines to the raft and the trunk of a substantial nearby tree. He has also placed several poles aboard the raft in preparation for his test voyage.

Together, Mada and Ava drag the raft to the river's edge and ease it into the water. The raft floats a few yards downstream, and then abruptly stops as the tethers reach their limit. So far so good - the raft floats, the tethers work, and the vines holding it all together remain secure.

Mada wades out into the shallow water and gently climbs aboard to further test the makeshift boat. It sinks slightly in the water from his weight, and thus far seems well suited for the long journey ahead.

As Mada pulls against the vines securing the raft to the tree, the craft moves easily back upstream toward Ava and Lilah.

Next, he clutches one of the steering poles and pushes the other end into the river bottom. Mada quickly learns the art of navigating with the steering poles as he pushes the raft upstream and away from the bank.

As he heads back to shore, he is proud of their accomplishments in making a river-worthy craft. Then, disaster strikes.

The vines start to unravel and the raft begins to break apart. Log after log detaches and floats downstream.

In a matter of minutes the whole structure disintegrates. Clinging to the tether, Mada sadly makes his way back to Ava and Lilah.

Disillusioned and disappointed by the failure, the family sits down to rest and discuss their plans for the future. Fortunately they are not in imminent danger, so they decide to sleep and see what the next day brings.

Mada meets the new dawn with a determination they will, somehow, conquer the situation.

After kissing Ava's cheek, and then Lilah's, he heads out to gather more driftwood and vines. He is confident they were on the right track with the principle of the craft.

After assembling a new set of materials for the project, Mada begins to experiment with different methods of lashing the vines around the logs.

Not taking anything for granted, he tests each stage of his work thoroughly. But, alas, as he tugs and pulls at the contraption, the vines invariably give way and unravel as they had in the water last time.

But Mada is convinced that if he works hard enough at the problem, he will find a workable method. So he continues to labor for several hours. But his work is in vain and no solution evolves.

Tired and hungry, he heads back to his family to eat a few more berries and replenish his strength.

His thoughts turn to The Voice and he asks, "Am I on the right track here? I believe the raft is a good idea and I know from past experience the vines are strong enough to hold the logs together.

"I have tried and tried to find a way to make the vines secure, but I have failed. I know it is your desire for me to figure this out on my own, but I am at an impasse. I am asking you to help me to help myself in finding a solution, for I am anxious to begin my destiny on the river."

The Voice responds, "Mada, you have done all I have asked of you, and I am proud of you for doing so. But I must tell you there are resources available to you beyond my word and your intellect. For no man is an island unto himself, nor unto me.

"You will come to understand that the purpose of your family goes beyond companionship and pleasure. For they are partners in your journey. Just as I have given you the power to create solutions to the obstacles which confront you, so have I granted this power to Ava and Lilah. You should solicit their help in finding what you seek."

Reinvigorated by this revelation, Mada sits down with his family to see if they might together find a solution.

Mada drags a pile of vines to them and says, "We must work together to try to find a way to make the vines secure so they won't unravel."

Lilah seems too young to be of any help but she is still given her own stack of vines to play with.

After an hour or so of trying various ways of wrapping the vines around the logs, neither Mada nor Ava have come up with a method which seems secure enough to hold.

Just then, Lilah walks over toward them, trailing what seems to be a long and continuous vine behind her. On closer examination, Mada sees that Lilah has somehow figured out how to bind several smaller vines together. It seemed she managed to invent a rudimentary knot, despite her young age.

The Voice speaks to Mada, "You should never underestimate the ability of anyone, regardless of whether you think they are as wise as you. For each person is unique and has abilities others may not possess. Take the gift Lilah has given you and use it."

With this, Mada gently takes the vines from Lilah's hand and thanks her. As he tugs and pulls at the knots he finds that under tension, they become stronger and tighter. Indeed, he realizes, the child has achieved what he could not.

He does not question whether the result was accidental child's play or the result of the application of her budding intelligence, for this is not of great consequence. What is important is that a solution has been found, and a valuable lesson has been learned in the process.

So Mada sets about to prepare a new raft for their journey, this time confident it can withstand the test of the river. He decides he will name it "The Good Ship Lilah," as a tribute to what they have all learned on this day.

Working another full day on the project, Mada, Ava and Lilah review and test each knot binding the contraption together. For good measure, they add more vines and tie more knots to assure the integrity of their new home on the river.

And, once again, Mada attaches the tethers and loads a new supply of vines and berries aboard. Together they drag the raft to the water for testing.

This time the raft passes the rigors of the waters as Mada pushes it to and fro with the steering poles. He pulls the raft to shore over and over with the tethers, each time releasing it for a short jaunt downstream and back. During the process he jumps up and down on each log as a test of each vine and each knot.

Finally satisfied The Good Ship Lilah is structurally sound, he returns again to shore to greet his happy family.

Chapter 12: "Revelations"

Another day is done as Mada reviews his plan for fulfilling the prophesy of his destiny on the river.

As the family partakes of their dinner - a few bananas and more berries - Mada's mind is filled with questions and trepidation. He moves a short distance away from the rest of his family to commune with The Voice.

He asks, "Are you sure we must leave this place? Why can't we stay here a while? It seems a hospitable place. Must we spend our entire life on the river? Surely we cannot survive forever on the raft."

The Voice responds, "Mada, you and Ava have learned well that which I have taught you. You are as my children, and my pride and confidence in you are great. It is good you question your life and your destiny, for this is why I gave you the knowledge and the power to make such inquiries. The River of Life is not your only destiny.

"You are also destined to use your powers to create many things and influence the world in which you live. Indeed, you will not have to spend your life on the river.

"You will make many stops along the way. At each stop you will learn new things and have fantastic new experiences. The river is a vehicle to these places. But it is more, for the journey itself is the destination.

"Along your journey you should always remember these things: First, you must ever be aware the power you possess is not of your own doing. It is my power, and I am the sun and the moon and all else you can or cannot see.

"Just as your arm has strength, it is nothing without the rest of your body. Alone, your arm will rot and die and be of no use, for it is merely flesh and bone.

"Without me, you too are merely flesh and bone and of no use to the world. Without me, you too will live and die and your life will have been wasted. But with me, you have all the power in the universe.

"But I myself am not only righteousness. For I am all that exists. And since both right and wrong do exist, these things are part of me, as they are a part of you. You should understand that perfection is not utopia. True perfection is a harmonious balance of all things.

"And, even though you know me as The Voice, I have my own voice to listen to. And my voice is your voice, as it is the voice of the river and of the tree and of everything else.

"But fear not, for all which exists has always existed and shall exist forever. Only the form and purpose of things change, just as your form and purpose is changing.

"One day you will understand the fundamental law of the Universe - that nothing is either created or destroyed - for what disappears in one form always reappears in another.

"For, like a circle, the Universe, which is me, has neither a beginning nor an end. I have always been here and always will be. But my destiny is different than yours.

"For I eternally exist in a state of balance wherein the right and the wrong which form me are two equal but opposite forces that perpetually counteract one another. This is the perfect balance that is forever mine.

"It is also that balance you should seek if your life is to be perfect. But you should understand this balance not only pertains to right and wrong, for it is necessary for you to seek balance in all aspects of your life.

"Now, to answer your questions; you do not need to leave this place today, nor must you spend eternity on the river.

"But you cannot forever stay here because your destiny is to learn all you can about the world in which you you live, and you can only accomplish this by navigating the River of Life. Along your journey you will be free to stop along the way to experience and influence all the wondrous things and places that await you. For change and evolution are my destiny as they are yours.

"Know that you will not be alone in your journey because you and Ava and Lilah are each destined to have children of your own. And your children's children and their offspring will form a greater species that will one day populate the earth as your neighbors. As your neighbors, you must always recognize they are not separate from you, but should all be loved and respected, as you love and respect yourself.

"Each of your neighbors will share your destiny to travel the River of Life, and each will share and augment The Voice that is me.

"And while the sum total of that which is me exists in an eternal balance, such is not the destiny of your species. Some will refuse to listen to The Voice, and will deny my existence as they seek only self-satisfaction.

"As they use the power to create things and influence the world, they will tend toward arrogance and egocentricity - thinking the power is indeed theirs.

"As they do so, they will tend to ignore The Rule and seek only to gratify themselves. As their numbers multiply, some will attempt to deter others from my way and to the notion that Man is the center of the universe.

"Some will try to convince others the world is an accidental place belonging only to Mankind, and that I am an unimportant part. And some will deny my very existence and will judge others who do not believe as they do.

"Still others may misinterpret The Voice and try to convince their neighbors that any form of self-determination is wrong. They will build monuments supposedly dedicated to me, and they may believe I have chosen them as my special agents.

"In so doing they may come to believe they are superior to others, and that their destiny is to impose rigid rules upon society in my name. Instead of living by The Rule, they may evolve to consider themselves as enforcers and arbitrators of what is good and what is bad.

"And, in time, some may consider others as lesser beings whose purpose in life is to blindly follow the edicts put forth in my name.

"Like the first group, these people may also think Man is the center and purpose of the universe, and they may seek to enslave, control and judge, using my name as their authority.

"But I must tell you that neither of these opposing groups is acting in my interest, nor in the interest of the species. For each person is ultimately responsible only to me and to The Rule. No person can judge whether another is good or bad, for this is my domain.

"It is destined that some such groups of people will ignore my wishes and will use the power I have given them as their own, and as if I have granted them special license to rule. In so doing they will detract from the harmony and balance that is mine.

"Instead of simply asking their followers to embrace and live by The Rule, they will prepare volume after volume of laws to govern those they seek to rule over, and they will claim these rules are my word, but they are wrong.

"For I have given you, as I have given all of Mankind, the only rule you will need to fulfill your destiny. The Rule is golden and stands by itself above all laws and rules Man shall devise - whether in my name or in the name of those who choose not to believe in me.

"But do not worry Mada, for while these opposing forces are inevitable, neither will ultimately prevail. Their actions are only part of the balanced system that forever perpetuates my domain. Your purpose is to love and forgive even those who may not understand or follow The Rule.

"You see, Mada, the greatest wrong that forever shall plague Mankind is the tendency toward arrogance and self-aggrandizement. You should seek to be a counterbalance to those who succumb to this temptation by demonstrating humility in your actions.

"But don't misunderstand me, Mada. For as your kind populates the Earth and becomes a great society, it will become the responsibility of Mankind to name leaders and create laws of society. But Man should differentiate between social laws and mine.

"For social laws will be necessary to protect the rights of society, and should be applied without arrogance or judgment. Those chosen to make such laws should realize they are not superior to the masses, but that their purpose is to serve society. When they forget The Rule, and when they begin to rule rather than govern, they shall surely fail and society will suffer.

"Mada, the right path is the one you have already wisely chosen. By coming to know The Voice and The Rule, you shall be an example to all others.

"If you continue to listen to my words and implement my desires in your daily life, you will grow closer to me, and you will come to know the great and boundless experiences I have prepared for you.

"And always remember; you indeed have the power to create and to invent, and to leave the world a better place than you were born into. But in so doing, you will succeed only if you follow The Rule and accept that these powers are not yours, but mine.

"You also have the power to lead others and influence their actions by your own. If you always remain loyal and humble to me in so doing, and follow The Rule to your best ability, you will fulfill your destiny and remain a source of pride to me and to the world."

Chapter 13: "The Journey Begins"

Exhilarated and inspired by these revelations, Mada now understands his destiny more fully.

He realizes The River of Life is merely a microcosm of his larger destiny. He is anxious to do his part to shape his own life in positive ways for the good of the macrocosm that is The Voice.

Mada returns to his family to share the great revelations, and then it is off to sleep to dream of the fantastic voyage that lies ahead.

As dawn breaks, Mada gathers as many fruits and berries as he can find and places them on the raft. This done, he helps Ava and Lilah aboard, unties the tethers from the tree and silently pushes The Good Ship Lilah away from the bank.

It is indeed a beautiful day to begin such an awesome journey.

 

Mada's story is continued in The River: Book Two
by Paul Conrad Buff.

© 2006, Paul Conrad Buff
All Art Illustrations © 2006 P.C. Buff