Thunderjack's Labyrinth

(Colors And Patterns May Vary)

   Welcome to Thunderjack's Labyrinth! Here you'll find meandering
thoughts, some short fiction and pseudo-scientific gobbledygook.
   This site is under constant construction so come back frequently,
get comfortable and stroll around for a while.
   Big Brother isn't watching.
   Heh-heh.
   
                        And while you're here:

                             The Wise Man

Picture a man.
   Struggling up the incline
   of a barren, rocky hill.

Yearning for the answers
   to the mysteries of Life.

Can you see him
   as the hill turns into
   mountain?

As the mounting will to know
   inflames the mystery of himself?

Picture another man.

An aged and wizened reflection
   of the younger soul below.

An ancient man.

High atop the mountain.

Knowing the answers
   to the mysteries of life.

Awaiting the visit
   of the younger man.

As he has waited
   for other visitors
   in other times.

Picture the Youngster
   as he pulls himself
   to the feet
   of the Oldster...

Questions leaping from
   his eyes;
   from his lips...

   "What is the meaning of life?"
   "Why do you ask me?"
   "Why, because you're the Wise Old Man on The Mountain."
   "I am, indeed, an old man on a mountain. Wisdom, however, is a
 thing reserved for others."  
   "But I want to know! I wish to see The Light!"
   "Wishes sometimes come true."
   "Teach me! Show me The Light!"
   "Come to me, then, Youngster."

Junior approached Senior.

Gripping the Younger's shoulders the Elder turned his eager pupil from 
   the face of the mountain.
   
   "Tell me what you see."

The Youth surveyed the vast expanse of everything beneath his feet.

   "I see..."

   "See The Light and Know The Meaning Of Your Life!"

With a mighty Heave the old man flung the young soul into space where
    he hung momentarily, between Nothing and Everything.

At his apogee he understood it All.

   "AAAAAAAAHHRRRRWRA
   (I see that you tricked me)
   AAUOUEEEYIIEEAGHHH"

His body struck an outcropping of rock and bounced once, momentarily
   slowing his descent.

   "HHHHEEEERRRDDDDAGHH
   (I see Pain and Hate and Love and Joy)" 

Another outcropping; another bounce.

   "OHhhhhhhhhhh
   (I see my life entwined with everything)
   M MMMM MMNNNN..."

A sudden stop at the end of the fall.

Lying amid the broken bones and tattered clothing of other searchers,
   enveloped in the ever blackening void that was his mind, he saw a 
   light.

High atop the mountain the wise old man sat.

And waited.

And Knew.



©1998 by Tracy L. Chappell