The Mentor's Farewell

Sardinia – 1540AD

He'd been sitting on one of these old rusty benches all day. It was scorching hot, as the sun was at its peak. A typical Sardinian summer day, some might say. Seagulls flew above the plaza above him and the plaza itself was buzzing with people. The air was salty, as the sea was very close. Business was good and the market stalls were queueing. He remembered a time when times were not as prosperous.

“Dear Anna,” he started writing his farewell letter. He woke up this morning, having this deep feeling that his end was near. He was old now, perhaps too old to simply ignore these feelings. He thought it’d be a good idea to settle his affairs. Especially with her.

“I’ve been asking questions all my life. When I was young, I felt high and mighty. I thought I knew everything about this vast world that hosts us.” He paused for a second to cough. This persistent cough and this chest pain that kept him awake the past few days.

“It wasn’t long before life itself taught me a lesson. The lesson of humility. At that time, I also met my adversaries. They tried to teach me their own lessons. I resisted as much as I could. But I was poor, had barely anything to eat. I felt lost and very close to abandon all hope and join them and their … dark side.” He coughed again, this time more aggressively. He seemed to be getting worse by the minute. Some of the kids on the opposite side of the plaza were playing with a torn leather ball. Not too far from him. A stray dog had joined them in their game. Some of the kids, along with the dog, stopped for a second to look at him, while he was coughing and trying to get a full breath. Their eyes were full of pity for him. He simply smiled at them and continued writing his letter.

“But then I met my brothers and sisters. And you, my dear Anna. It was only then that I managed to see clearly. This world is vast and full of wonders and I’ve been jumping from one branch to another, like a baby monkey. But not anymore.” He raised his head to get a glimpse of the sun. Bright and warm. He remembered the words of his long-gone mentor, while he was in Tibet. “If you want to shine like the sun, first you must burn like one.” he indulged in this reminiscence for a bit, which forced a smile on his face. He quickly regained his focus. He needed to finish his letter.

“Not knowing life’s purpose, I discovered a strange truth. That life is chaos, and they’ve been trying to teach us order for far too long. Like they’re trying to teach tricks to a tiger in the circus. But order is nothing more than death. And death is not for us, my dear Anna. At least, not until we serve our purpose in life.”

He was calm now. “I know all memories of me will fade with time, as all memories do. Don’t get disheartened by this. Know that our actions will echo in eternity. Our stories will speak across centuries. Maybe you or the next generations will manage to solve the puzzle. To find meaning in our suffering, or better yet accept it and move on. But know this too. That your love gave me strength to continue my journey. Our journey. Without you, I’d be like this stray dog, constantly chasing a ball, kicked by his masters. And for this, I am grateful, my love.”

He was barely breathing, when he heard the cry of a predator. He raised his head again, and saw the flock of seagulls hastily flying away, and an eagle landing on the tallest  building in the plaza. He could clearly see its features from where he was sitting. Its body and wings were as black as the darkest night, yet its head was a mix of pure white and gold, like the colours of the sun at the brightest dawn. What a strange sight.

“And he will come like the breaking dawn”, he remembered and smiled again. “I have to continue,” he coughed violently again, “Just a bit more.”

“Remember your vows, my dear Anna. Your fealty belongs to the victims of this world. Have their best interests in your heart, and everything else will follow. Don’t take anything for granted, especially time and love. Remember my love for you, our family, our brothers and sisters, and for this world that keeps on giving.”

His head felt heavy. His left arm was numb and his breath was barely there.

“Seek the truth for yourself, and you will find me there.”

He closed his eyes and smiled again. The letter fell to his side, while the kids kept on playing.

“Forever yours, Mario Vincero”