Island of Abundance

Island of Abundance Return of the Phoi Raja’s eyes fluttered open, as he was drawn out of his slumber by the sound of a crackling fire. The sun was just peaking above the horizon, and Raja could see a large, blurred silhouette in front of him, hunching over the flames. Lifting himself onto his elbow, he strained to see clearer who this visitor was. “Awake I see! Best way for you to be!” Resio’s jovial rhyme floated on the crisp morning air. “Yes. Hello, Resio.” Hearing the bear’s familiar voice, Raja visibly relaxed. “It’s good to see you again.” “Indeed, indeed. I came to lead!” Resio rose up to his full, enormous stature, and he lumbered over to Raja’s side. Raja grinned, lowering his eyes. “To lead, huh?” He paused, then squinted up into Resio’s gaze. “I seem to recall that, the last time you led, I found myself hanging onto your stump of a tail for dear life!” “Yes, I too remember that trip! And, yes, I too recall your grip!” Resio’s fur involuntarily quivered, as if shaking off a bad experience, while his body quaked with laughter. After a moment, he grew quiet; and, dropping to all fours, he lowered his face near to Raja’s. “It is time, my friend,” he softly growled. “Your journey on Resilience is at an end. Arise, arise, and you shall see--Abundance beckons steadily.” With his smile fading to curiosity, Raja stood, shooting a glance at Syndi and Liam, who were both still sleeping soundly. Resio’s eyes sparkled knowingly. “Follow me.” He began rambling his way toward the beach and the rolling surf. Silently, Raja obeyed. In the stillness, he listened to the soft padding of Resio’s paws between the sweeping cadence of each wave. When they finally arrived at the water’s edge, the sun was slowly making her ascent above the Sea of Vario. The bear stopped; Raja drew up beside him and stood quietly. He breathed in deeply as he admired the majestic expanse of the sea. The immensity seemed to engulf him. It was all he could see. Amidst the grey and green hues of the dim morning light, the Sea of Vario sparkled. Its giant girth ebbed in rhythm upon the scattered boulders which lined the shore; frothy, white lace framed each movement, continually changing and continually coming. It enchanted his imagination. Raja had been anxious to know what Resio would speak; but now, he was content to listen to what the sea had to say. Suddenly, a burst of light flared in the northeastern sky. It seemed to call his name. Raja’s eyes snapped into focus; but it was gone. Inquisitively, he turned to the bear. Staring ahead, Resio smiled serenely, then spoke, as if reciting from memory: She beckons me, even as I fall. Where ‘ere you wander, She beckons to us all. After a moment’s pause, Resio continued, “To my voice, your ear must bend.” Then, turning to face Raja, he asked, “Have you seen that light before, my friend?” Resio’s gentle eyes met Raja’s and he studied him with an intense gaze. All at once, a flash of recognition dawned in Raja’s consciousness. Long ago, in Yalwuna, the morning he had determined to climb the mountain, there had been a burst of light, just like the one he’d just witnessed. “Yes, I believe I have,” Raja stated simply, feeling something significant was occurring. “Take in the vastness of the Sea, and it will speak what is to be.” Resio returned his gaze to the water and breathed in deeply. “You’ve been across it on your visit. How boundless is it?” Raja considered the water thoughtfully, listening to the swells and watching the foamy crest of each wave. “I don’t know, Resio.” He paused and looked at the bear, only to see inquisitive eyes staring back at him. So, he continued with a smile, “It’s enormous! Gigantic. I can’t see the end of it.” Raja paused for moments then answered, shrugging, “I can’t tell you.” “You cannot tell me how vast it is? You speak true. Because it is immeasurable...to me and you.” Raja listened intently. Resio nodded approvingly as he spoke. “A man can put his head into the Sea, and nothing lacks; but if a man tries to put the sea into his head, it is his head that cracks.” Resio winked as he spoke the last line. “Always remember this, Raja, my friend, the gifts of Abundance never end. There is always enough and more to spare; but you are not truly rich until you share. They are yours to do good, to help others in need; you pluck of your fruit and help them plant the seed. Never hold to your treasure, never grasp, doubt, or fear; for if your heart is your treasure, it will soon disappear.” Raja was mulling over Resio’s words when, unexpectedly, a menacing chill ran through him, as the sun disappeared behind a great cloud. Looking up, he saw what appeared to be a vast army, floating high above him, heading in the same direction of the light he had just witnessed. As he watched the shadow move slowly overhead, Raja’s heart grew cold. Suddenly, he was back on the Island of Humility. He was alone in the desert--thirsty, cold, and deathly afraid. Batnoam was hissing into his ear, “Raja, get out of here. You are in the worst danger of your life, my friend. Run, Raja. Run like you have never run before. You are no match for the Phoi. Stop your ears and RUN!” “Resio, is that the Phoi?” Raja spoke breathlessly, urgently. “Yes, Raja, it is surely the Phoi.” Raja’s heart sank in despair at the words. His worst fear had found him once again. Resio’s eyes raised to the sky; but his voice remained steady and calm. “As you know, their mission is to enslave and destroy. Lowsapa’s decree is to poison the sea. They fly overhead and corruption is spread; and unheeding creatures fall prey to their bread.” Under a terrified brow, Raja’s eyes fixed on the departing cloud. As he watched, he noticed that, periodically, something was dropped from the mass and spread in the water. It looked like thousands of seeds falling into the waves. Transfixed, Raja wondered what it was. As the dark shadow grew smaller and smaller on the horizon, he became aware that Resio was again staring at him from the side. “These are the wares and the food of the Phoi. Do not let their cunning interrupt your joy. Their weapons are deceit and addiction and rot. Abundance is everything they are not. Abundance can bind them, they know it and fear it. In abundance lies freedom, the truth that is spoken. For the seeker of truth, all chains are broken. Then, bending to look Raja squarely in the eyes, Resio, counseled, “Raja, do not allow fear, worry, or doubt to trouble your mind. Your power comes from discerning their kind. These wares of the Phoi are illusions, not real. Give no heed to their lies; hold the truth that you feel. Allow your heart to rejoice and to freely receive the abundance of hope, peace, happiness, and joy that comes when you believe.” Raja turned his head toward the departing blackness once more, long enough to see an additional glimmer of light bursting through the cloud. When it faded, the shadow had disappeared as well. Raja turned back to Resio and, with a soft smile, breathed in deeply. Abua the Whale “Good Morning!” Syndi’s cheerful voice caused Raja to turn. “Resio, so good to see you again,” she sang out. Liam waved his greeting to the beaming bear. “Syndi and Liam, so happy to see you! I came to introduce you to...” His voice was interrupted dramatically by a spray of water bursting out of the sea. “Ah! This is prime! Abua has arrived just in time!” Resio was enormously pleased and grinned expectantly towards the whale. The three friends gaped in awe, as a massive spout disappeared under the wave, followed by the sleek line of a slate-grey body, sliding along the top, and then vanishing beneath the surf. The water continued its pulsing rhythm of waves, as every eye remained spellbound, watching for another glimpse of the magnificent creature. No one spoke, even as the surface of the water remained unbroken. Suddenly, a sweet and haunting sound played along the wind, and the travelers strained their ears to identify it. Glancing briefly at each other, they concentrated again to hear echo after echo of a beautiful, mournful melody. “The song of the humpbacks is what you can hear. To the trained ear, it is clear.” Resio spoke softly with a smile, as he gazed reverently toward where Abua had disappeared. The singing continued and intensified, as other whales gathered and joined their voices. “The abundance below the surface, you hear and feel; and though unseen, it is very real!” As if on cue, another spray of water emerged with power from the depths. This time, the whale had come closer to the shore and the spray misted toward the small audience. Syndi joyfully held out her hand to capture it, as an enormous tail slapped the water before disappearing. With shining eyes, Resio turned to the trio and said, “My friends, we part again! But never fear, this is not the end!” Raja and Liam’s eyes grew wide, astonished at the sudden declaration of being left without Resio’s familiar guidance.

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