Skip to main content
Like
Create new Glog
previous
next
Email share
350 views | 0 likes | 0 reposts
"You've heard it laugh, but you haven't heard everything. Let's listen, you'll hear more."
Dear Journal, Last night a man had slept in my hut. This morning he asked me if I could take him to the other side of the river. I said I would, and we set off. He complimented the river by saying it was beautiful. I told him that it was beautiful indeed, and that one could learn much from it. He told me he was a Samana and a Brahmin's son, so he could not give me any payment in return for the ride across the river. I said it was fine and that I had an instinct that I would see him again someday. Farewell, Vasudeva
Vasudeva's Journal
Dear Journal, Today, I took a very distinguished looking man across the river. I was surprised to see that such a man should be alone and on foot. I felt this man looked familiar. I suddenly figured out who this man was. My instinct told me that it was the young Samana from many years ago. I knew he would come back someday, and that day has arrived. The lad's name was Siddhartha. I distinctly remember that he had slept in my hut about twenty or so years ago. Siddhartha requested to lean the secrets of the river from me. I will write again before bed, as I hope to learn much more about Siddhartha in the next few hours. But alas- time is meaningless. Farewell, Vasudeva
Dear Journal, Siddhartha and I sat on a tree trunk at sunset, while Siddhartha told me about his life. His story lasted late into the night. I listened attentively, and was inreigued by his life. When Siddhartha finished, I told him that the river had spoken to him. I told Siddhartha to stay with me and learn from the river. Farewell, Vasudeva
Dear Journal, Siddhartha is learning how to look after and handle a boat. When there is nothing to do, he works in the rice field with me, gathers wood, and picks fruit from banana trees. He is growing very wise nowadays. A crucial lesson Siddhartha has just learned from the river is that there is no such thing as time because the river is everywhere at the same time. This discovery made Siddhartha very happy. Siddhartha also learned that the river has many voices. The voices of all living creatures is in the river's voice. He has also figured out that when one is successful at hearing the river, it pronounces the holy word, Om. I am extremely proud of Siddhartha. Farewell, Vasudeva
Dear Journal, Something very tragic has just happened. A young woman, who had her son with her, was making a pilgrimage to see the dying Buddha. She has been bitten by a snake, and I have taken her and her son to my hut to help the young woman. The young woman is Kamala- Siddhartha's lover. Siddhartha is now trying to console Kamala. Kamala is dying. She can tell that Siddhartha has attained peace. She has died. Siddhartha and I have just built the funeral pyre on the same hill as my wife's. Siddhartha has been leaving his son alone, as he respects his grief. He understands that his son could not love him as a father because he did not know him. Siddhartha has realized that the young child has been brought up in the ways of a rich man, and has become accustomed to it. He is not content with such a strange and poor shelter. I think Siddhartha hopes to win his son over by patience. The boy is unfriendly and sulky. He has no respect towards his elders and steals from my fruit trees. Vasudeva
Dear Journal, Siddhartha is still hoping to win his son over by being patient for many months now. Today, the young boy was upsetting his father very much with his temper. He had even broken two of our finest rice bowls. I took Siddhartha aside, and talked to him. I told him that his son is troubling himself, and I, as well. I explained to Siddhartha how the boy did not run away from a wealthy life and town in disgust as he did. I told him his son will not be happy here. It is a mistake on Siddhartha's part not to be strict with his son. I told him to ask the river and listen to what it says.The young lad has ran away after an argument with Siddhartha. Siddhartha and I built a raft, as the child had stolen our boat. The boy has also taken away the oar so that we cannot go after him. Siddhartha is making a new oar to go after him. Soon, I went out to search for Siddhartha. I found him sleeping under a tree. Siddhartha went to bed, and when I went to give Siddhartha some coconut milk, I found him asleep. My gut is telling me that it is almost time for me to take leave. The next morning, Siddhartha discovered the last secret of the river- which was unity- everyone, and everything is united through the river. A few moments later, I bid farewell to Siddhartha, the river, and my hut. I told Siddhartha I was going into the woods to the unity of all things. Siddhartha understood exactly what I meant and bowed to my feet. Goodbye, Vasudeva
Click the ferryman to see Kamala's journal
