Treason

I want to see the king," I said, after explaining who I was. "Wonderful," said the ancient Nkumai who sat on a cushion near the corner pole of the house. "I'm glad for you." That was all, and apparently he meant to say no more. "Why are you so glad?" I asked. "Because it's good for every human being to have an unfulfilled wish. It makes all of life so poignant.

My master wishes to see you," said the mounted man. "When the planting's done," I said. "Lord Barton is unaccustomed to waiting." "Then he should rejoice, for he'll learn something new today." I went back to the garden. Soon the servant left.

I don't know what's going on in the world," he said. "Everything seemed so reasonable and scientific until I discovered my son was a fraud with the ability to hide my own memories from me. And now you come along. The captain at the gate told me you were executed and buried yesterday." "He spoke to you? He didn't say a word to me," I said. "Don't change the subject, young man. I'm accusing you of violating the laws of nature." "Nature's virtue is intact. I just know some different laws.

And I began to suspect that the ultimate sacrifice isn't death after all; the ultimate sacrifice is willingly bearing the fullest penalty for your own actions.

I wonder sometimes if I'm not, after all, a piece in some other player's game, following blindly his grand designs without ever knowing that my path along the board is only a feint, while the important matters are played out elsewhere by other men. But whether there's some grand design really matters little to me. My only hope was this: To see what might be, to believe that it should be, and then to do all I could to bring it to pass, whatever the cost. When a life spins out as joyfully as mine has done, then the price, one paid so painfully, is now recalled in gladness. I have received full value. Here among the shepherds, my cup is filled with the water of life; it overflows.