Part 5 (2/2)
”I have the feeling that today I shall again dream of my brother. Isn't that funny?”
”By no means.”
”So, you believe that this is possible?”
”Certainly.”
”Secretively, what do you think?”
”Oh no! All too often, we men make the mistake of treating completely natural things as if they were mystical. In the course of today's events, the picture of your brother has been shoved into your mind's consciousness. Until now, you have held all of this tightly inside of you, and it's become even more deeply embedded. Hence, it's no wonder, and indeed very understandable, that you would dream about him as you preoccupy yourself with your return home. Whenever we perceive something as wonderful, be certain that in spite of all our experiences, we misguidedly label the obvious things in nature as inconceivably miraculous.”
As we now rolled on towards Rachel's Tomb and to the Prophet Elijah's memorial, we soon arrived in Jerusalem-at precisely the moment when nightfall tenderly entered the Holy City. Whatever was intended for me to learn in Hebron, I hadn't yet grasped it. As we would plainly see tomorrow, this here-to-fore unknown would turn out to be quite different and infinitely better. So it seems that life always takes care of things. If we are somehow denied some external, material wish, or if an unexpected grief gets in the way of the joy we were hoping for, our ignorance does not hesitate to quarrel with destiny. That which we were denied on the outside may now become an inner victory. Although this last truth may not be apparent if we oppose it like some kind of enemy, be quite certain that it still knocks on our door. Usually afterwards, we realize that we have gained life's less-valued, quite inexpensive gifts that we so very much long for. Concerning the saddle, this was also true. I was sure about my desire for it, but my wish to own it had to rely upon earlier circ.u.mstances that were directed otherwise. Looking back on those past events, we are most often too short-sighted and impatient to grasp the meaning of these things.
The next morning, we had barely risen and sat down to drink some coffee, when we heard a knock on our door. Who stepped in? It was Thar. European style, he stretched out his hand and greeted us: ”Good morning!” We gave him our thanks and approvingly saw how he was fully dressed in fresh, spotlessly pure white clothes. ”You are probably surprised, right?” he said. ”The colors are no longer stylish. Our lady here first spoke about heroism that is authentic and doesn't need to be painted up. Since then, I've wanted to be a real hero-no artificial coloring. Secondly, you also heard how my new girlfriend Schamah yelled out 'Phooey!' when I wanted to paint my body with bold blue, green, red and yellow colors. What she said to me is worth more than past advice you have offered. I've definitely decided, that in the future, I'll lay aside the superficial paint and only deal with things that don't need artificial coloring. By the way, I'm only here on account of Schamah. If she and I are permitted to drink coffee, why then are your cups bigger than ours?”
He got what he wanted, so he sat down and continued to talk: ”Next, I want you to know that as long as Schamah stays in Jerusalem, I'm withdrawing from all four clubs: the Lions, the Elephants, the Hippos, and the Whales. For this mission, I've now dressed in white in order to inform each of the clubs that I may no longer a.s.sociate with beasts-at least for the time being. Schamah is so polite, and if I'm not nice too, then I'll feel ashamed of myself. She said 'Phooey!' much too readily. Well then, you must be aware of the fact that she's coming to Jerusalem today.”
”How do you know this?” I asked.
”It is part of the conspiracy.”
”So, there is a plot?”
In all seriousness, he nodded and said ”Yes.”
”Who is doing the plotting?”
”I am.”
”With whom?”
”With the Donkey Driver.”
”As of yesterday?”
”Yes. For that secret plan, I needed the twenty francs from you.
Here is the money that I borrowed. Thank you.” He took two golden ten franc coins out of his pocket and laid them on the table. However, I didn't pick them up-instead, I said: ”Before I accept the money, I have to know what it was for. Instead of loaning you the money, I gave it to you.”
In earnest, he said: ”You're mistaken! I don't beg; I only borrow. Schamah and her mother are poor, very poor. At times, they don't have enough to eat. Without asking anyone, I came to this conclusion. In contrast, I'm rich, and I'm her friend. Thus, without their knowing, I took care of their room and board at the Hospice.
Today, the Donkey Driver is bringing them to Jerusalem-of course, on better animals than they rode yesterday. They still do not know that it was I who paid for these things. When they arrive here, they won't go into the city. Instead, they'll veer to the right, riding into the Valley of Hinnom, then up the Mount of Olives towards Bethany. At that point, they'll meet my friend Abd en Nom.
”Who is Abd en Nom?”
”He is the father of both the greatest Whale in our club and the heaviest Hippo that ever was. He is a host to pilgrims. At the moment, his house is completely empty, so Schamah and her mother have more room than they really need. They'll also have meals there. Of course, Schamah believes that all of this was because the Hospice recommended them. Abd en Nom likes me. I'll be going with him as we make the preparations.”
”And you are paying for all of this?”
”Yes, but I ask you not to reveal this to anyone. Schamah and her mother must never know this secret.”
”Does your father know?
”No.”
”My dear boy, you know this will cost a lot of money!”
He happily laughed as he replied: ”I have it.”
”From whom?”
As he answered my question, Thar quickly became serious again: ”From Mother-before she died. She loaned me the money, and every month, I receive the interest. Since Father is the trustee of her estate, he gives me the money. I'm not permitted to hold onto the money. I'm required to spend it-not on myself, but for poor, old, sick people who find themselves in need. That's the way Mother wanted it, so Father has to allow me to spend it how I wish. He may only counsel me if I use the money in a way that differs from Mother's instructions. That has never happened, because I loved my Mother.
With every piaster that I spend, I think about how she would do the same or otherwise. To be truthful, before I borrowed the money from you, I first had to think about what my Mother would say. Before I went to sleep that night, I asked myself that question. As I awoke early this morning, I knew in my heart that she is in complete agreement-and that she's pleased about Schamah and her mother.
Effendi, will you now take back the money you loaned me?”
”Yes,” I answered and slipped the coins into my pocket. In recognition of his soul's goodness, my wife poured him a second cup of coffee. He took a sip, then spoke further: ”Seriously, I want to look after her. I would like to be her guide to all of the holy sites, including Bethlehem and anywhere else she wants to visit. Do you know why I would do this?”
”Out of compa.s.sion,” my wife said.
”Yes, I too first thought of this. Yet when I reflected on my heart's decision, just as I always do when I think of my Mother, it wasn't a feeling of sympathy. Rather, there was something else.
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