what if a older person went to Narnia |
The Old one of Narnia The man was tired, tired of living alone without his Betty whom he had shared so many years with. Now the large home they had shared together was silent and lonely, lonely without her contagious smile. When they had lost their 3 year old child when he was 30 in the auto accident, it had been Betty who had been there for him. He had pulled into himself blaming his driving for the accident. His wife had spent long hours with him pulling him back from the deep pit his mind had trapped him in. They had spent the years following alone but with his Betty there at his side, he had survived. Her death the year past at first he had been OK, with friends helping him at this time. Then they had stopped coming, why he never figured out, they just cease visiting. Now, he was alone in the large home of so many happy hours now their was only sadness in it. The old man looked down at the gun on his lap contemplating something he should not, then or ever. Picking up the gun off his lap he first stared at it getting up the nerve for the act he thought was his only choice. "Just as he was about to place it against his head and do the act he heard a voice in the dark room. "You know this will not make things better only worse, with this act you will never see your loved one again." "The old man quickly lowered the gun and called out to the dark "Who is there, are you here to hurt me more than I am already hurt?" "No child of Adam I am here to offer you a new direction then you contemplated to go." With these words spoken the one who had given them stepped out of the darkness to reveal himself. It was the largest Lion the old man had ever seen in his life and the Lion glowed with his own light. The old man was surprised and shocked and hopeful all at the same time, hopeful that this was the one from his childhood readings. The lion quietly came forward and sat down facing the old man and then spoke once more. "I am offering you a chance to come to my kingdom and help others with your wisdom." The old man was silent for a time staring at the lion and then in soft questing voiced asked "Ashland?" The lion nodded his great main and said, "Yes it is I, the one you dreamed of meeting in your youth." With awe in his voice the old man told himself "Ashland, I am talking to Ashland." But as sudden as this joyful outburst had been his voice and face changed, and he shook his head violently. "No/no this cannot be, I am dreaming this lion who is speaking to me, I must be, I must!" Ashland's answer to this outburst was a mighty roar that shook the man to his feet. "No son of Adam I am no vision /dream or anything else then what you see before you. I offer you a new life of helping others in my kingdom, do you accept my offer?" The old man who a short time before had been contemplating his end after a time stood and spoke. "Ashland, if there is any way I can help others, I am more than honored to serve any way I can." Ashland nodded and instructed the old man to return the gun to its proper place. Once he had done this Ashland told the old man to follow him. Even though the house was still dark, wherever Ashland walked there was light. The old man walked in this light trusting in this light that emulated from Ashland. They walked first from what the old man knew was in the large room they had been in. After a time the old man knew they had entered into the hallway between rooms. In silence for a time he walked with Ashland leading the way and the old man behind him. Slowly the dark hallway was replaced by a dark forest of trees the old man could just barely see they were passing thru. After a time Ashland light seemed to grow outward exposing a cottage they were approaching. This cottage was in an open area without too many trees near it. The old man could hear the sounds of a stream nearby unseen in the light of Ashland. Standing near a door into the cottage they were approaching were a man and a woman. "Is this the old one you told us you would bring to us" the man asked? "It is" Ashland said, "Teach him of the land and the life as I have instructed you. He is wise but the light of his wisdom is dimmed." "It will be as you command Ashland" the man and woman said with a bow. By this time the old man and Ashland had reached the light that came out of the cottage. "Stay with him" Ashland instructed the old man. "They will instruct you and prepare you for the work I have brought you here to perform." With these instructions Ashland turned and returned back into the forest. Just before entering the dark woods he turned and spoke one last time to the old man. "I will return when you are ready for me but if you ever need advice just say, I need the advice of Ashland When near the stream you can hear." With these last words Ashland turned and entered into the trees and his light was soon gone from sight. "Come, let us get you settled for the night" the man near the door said. The old man nodded at the man and entered into the cottage with the man shutting the door behind him. Inside the cottage the old man saw a simple table on the far wall. To his right was as stone fireplace that emulated the heat in the cottage. On the floor not far or too close to the fireplace was some sort of bedding placed. "You will sleep there" the man explained, "It will keep you warmer than other places in my cottage." The old man nodded silently as the man continued. "My name is William but you may call me Will as I am known by others." The old man noted that the female was nowhere to be seen and Will noted his questing look. "The female you saw with me is Osaka, the spirit of the spring waters. You will see here again later. Here in this cottage it is just you and me. Ashland told us you need your rest here before anything else. I have prepared you sleeping spot near the fire you will sleep at for now." The old man smiled weakly at Will as he told him "thank you." My name in my world was/is Ryan Rice; you may call me Ryan, and give that name to others we might meet." The man smiled and nodded as he said "OK Ryan I will do as you request, you will be known as Ryan as long as you are with us. Goodnight Ryan, we will have much to speak on over the next days. Ryan spent the next times preparing and laying in the sleeping area prepared for him. Once he had laded down by the fire it took him time to relax his mind. So much had happened in so short a time he was still not sure if he was dreaming it all. Finally with the fire burning near him and the peace of the cottage around him Ryan slept. Day one in Narnia When Ryan awoke the next morning he was at first confused, "Where am I" he asked himself. Then he remembered the night before when he was at his lowest and Ashland came to him. Remembering the visit by Ashland Ryan sat up and looked around. Will was seated at the table he had seen the night before and it was prepared with food on it. Before, the table had been pushed along the far wall with one chair. Now it had been moved out away from the far wall and a second chair had joined the other one. "Morning Ryan", Will called out from the table, "come join me for breakfast. Though still barely awake, Ryan got himself up from his bedding and headed for Will and the table of food he smelled as well as saw. Ryan headed for the empty chair across from Will and took a seat in it. "I remember you only having one chair for the table last night" Ryan said. "Where did this second chair come from" he asked? "Same place as my chair here" Will said. "Friends in the woods made it for you and delivered it to me this morning. Now eat and we will talk, then later I will show you around once you are prepared." "Prepared" Ryan asked and Will just nodded as he dug into the food before him. "You are dressed as you should be in your world, but you need to be dressed as an old one here is dressed." Though not completely sure about Wills answer, something in it said he was right. For a time the two men talked small talk things like who had built the home for him, a beaver friend of his. Ryan learned they were in the far west woods of Narnia. About mile from the closes traveled road. Ryan learned that Will was 48 years old; the age his child would have been had he not died when he did. Ryan knew Narnia had many wonderful life forms in the land he hoped to meet. When he spoke about this thought to Will, he was told he might not meet any of them. "It will depend on Ashland and if he thinks you need to meet with any Duran your time here. I am not saying you will not meet any" Will added. "You are here to teach others about wisdom but first you must remember your own wisdom." Ryan got a bit mad about Wills comment and said "I have been around a long time so that makes me wise by itself!" "Was it wise of you to try to take your own life" Will ask softly? Ryan wanted to answer yes to the question but he knew he could not. His mad face softened as with a lowered head he shook it and answered. "No, that was very unwise of me at that time" he answered softly. "There is more than one type of wisdom Ryan, Will said. There is wisdom of the mind where you know a lot of things. And there is wisdom of charter that life's ups and downs teach you. There is also wisdom of the spirit that makes you what you are. You cannot learn such wisdom from schooling. Only life will give to you such wisdom. You need to remember your life's wisdom." Ryan was silent for a time but with a nod said "You are right of course Will; I have tried to think with the wisdom of the mind. Help me to think with the wisdom of character and spirit rather than just the mind." "You have already begun" Will said. "By you realizing that there IS a difference. I know of your life and you're lost so now i can help you prepare for your mission here." Once the meal was over Will said he would wash and clean up after the meal. "You need to change into the clothing I have set out for you in my bedroom" will said pointing. Ryan looked the way he was pointing and spotted the open door into a sleeping area. He saw a bed with some sort of clothing resting on it. "Change in there and then we will go for a walk about and see what of who we might meet." Ryan got up from the table and went into what must have been Will sleeping area. The room was simply furnished with a bed and a dresser and a chest at the end of the bed. On the bed were carefully laid out what he was to change into, most everything was of a brownish color. "With this outfit on I might look like a walking tree with a gray top" Ryan thought to himself smiling. Ten minutes later Ryan came out of the room in his new clothing to the nod of Will. "Now let's take that walk about I suggested" Will said leading the way out of the cottage outside. Once outside all Ryan could do was look around the area of the cottage. The nigh time arrival with Ashland had not prepared him for what he now saw. The cottage was just inside a meadow with the forest they had come through behind it. Ryan heard birds singing in the forest and flying here and there over the meadow. There were trees in the meadow but they seemed to have been thinned out somewhat. A short distance to the cottages right the land sloped gently down to the stream Ryan had heard the night before. Along the stream there were trees that grew beside it, there was an even space between each tree. In the stream were large stones some sticking out of it. These produces the sounds Ryan had heard the night before. As the waters went over or around them, there was a happy gurgling sound coming from the flowing waters. With Will leading the way he was showed the cut firewood pile for the fireplace. Will showed him the garden he grew his food from that was presently only dirt turned soon to be planted. "This year you are to help me in the preparation of my garden" Will told Ryan. Ryan was about to say something about never having planting a garden but stopped before he did. Ryan remembered planting things with his young son so long ago and the memory brought a smile to his face. This smile was not lost on Will who nodded and continued on as if he had not noted it. Will showed Ryan the chickens and cows he had for the eggs and milk. Then together they walked down to the stream and he learned the trees that grew along it were fruit trees. "I noted how evenly the trees are along this stream" Ryan said. "Were you the one who planted them so evenly spaced" Ryan asked? "No" Will said, "they were not planted here by me but Ashland planted them here long ago. Even before the 100 year winter of the White Witch they grew here. They slept Duran that time and awoke once more when the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve ruled." There were large rocks near the trees and stream where Will and Ryan sat down on. The two men were silent for a time as they enjoyed the waters flowing before them. "How long will I be here with you Will before I am prepared to go where Ashland brought me for?" "I do not know Ryan, only Ashland will know when you are prepared to go on. I can help you find your wise old one and prepare you for your time to come. You are already on your way but only Ashland will know when you are ready." Ryan did not say anything but just nodded his understanding and agreement with Will. Together in silence the two men sat and enjoyed the waters. As they sat there Ryan noted some small logs floating by in the stream. "You see the log that is floating there" Will asked? Ryan nodded and said "Yes I do" as he looked at Will. "Wisdom is like that log in some ways, it might get slowed down or even stopped for a time but it is still a log. So it is with the wisdom one gains in life. Circumstances might slow it down or seem to stop it but it will not change what it is. It is still there with you" and Will pointed to Ryan head, "It just needs to be released to flow." Ryan was silent for a time and then slowly nodded as he asked Will a question. "Will, you do not look all that old but your wisdom seem to be from one much older. Could you not do the job Ashland is asking of me"? Will smiled as he shook his head no. "I do not leave my cottage and go into the town you are to go. When the time is right you will understand why you are the one for this mission and I cannot do it. Just trust in the wisdom of Ashland" he added. Ryan was not sure he understood and said as much but if it was Ashland's will there was a reason. "Just remember" Will said, "Things in Narnia are not the same as they are where you came from." "That I can understand" Ryan said, "what with talking lions and such things." Will nodded and getting up led Ryan back to the grassy area near his cottage. They walked over to a large oak tree that was growing up in the central of the open area. "You see this tree" Will asked? "Oh yes" Ryan said "it is a very nice large tree here but it seems lonely here by itself without others nearby it." "Ashland planted it here from a seeding long ago" will explained. "It has grown Duran bad times as well as good times. For a time it slept Duran the 100 year winter but awoke to grow more at its end. When it was very young and small hard rains and winds hit it. The rains soaked its soil and the winds bent it over but it was never moved from this spot. As it got older it was able to withstand the rains and winds better and better. When winter time came the tree sleeps and stops growing till it ends. It just slept longer Duran the 100 year winter but now it grows ever more." Ryan nodded as he looked up and admired the great tree they were standing near. "Your wisdom is like that tree in that it started small and life's problems came upon it but it was not stopped by them. Over the years it grew higher with its roots ever deeper in the soil of your life. The death of your child shook it but your mate was there to help you through like the trees sun and rains. Your mate's death has caused a winter to come upon your mind where your wisdom has stopped growing. Now that Ashland has replanted you here; for a time away from your life's winter to start growing here in wisdom once more." Ryan was silent for a time after Wills words and then nodded as he said "yes you are right Will so help me to grow again." Will smiled as taking Ryan's hand led him back to the cottages small garden. "We will start here with the planting of the garden together. You always directed your wife in the small garden the two of you had in the past. Now you can help me with my garden." Ryan wondered how he could help with the planting of a garden in this new world. His question was soon answered as Will brought out several seed bags from a small storage building behind the cottage. On each bag was sewed the name of its contents, peas/corn/cabbage etc. The garden dirt was already prepared in even rows so there was only the decision as to what to plant in each. "Here are the seeds I have to plant Ryan how do you think they should be planted" Will asked? Ryan looked from bag to bag and then said "let's plant corn here in the furthest row." For the rest of that day Ryan directed the planting and Will did the planting. Sometimes he helped in the planting too but mostly directed. Duran a lunch break taken under the large tree Ryan talked of his life with his wife. He told of how he blamed himself for the death of their only child and how his wife had helped him over these hard times. He talked about his schooling in college and how his wife had helped him Duran these times. He talked about his career as a lawyer and how his wife had often helped him at these times too. He had to enplane to Will what a lawyer was. Will just nodded "Oh a wise young one who becomes a wise old one." Ryan was not sure if this was a good description or not but he never said anything. By the end of the day the garden was planted and the men were both tired. Ryan returned to sit near the stream as Will went back into the cottage and prepared a meal for them. When it was ready he called Ryan back to the cottage to eat. After the meal Will cleaned up the dishes from the meal and then joined Ryan near the fire. "Now with the garden planted what do we do now" Ryan asked? "Well, we have to keep it weeded and watered it when there is no rain. We need to keep wild animals from it too" Will added. "Should we build some kind of scarecrow for it then" Ryan asked? Will asked about what a scarecrow was and when Ryan told him shook his head no. "No need to go to such extremes here Ryan, I have some friends who will help protect the garden." Ryan was not so sure, but remembering he was now in Ashland's lands. He accepted Wills comment. "OK Will, then what are we going to do when not working on the garden" Ryan asked? "Oh, I thought we could go visit some friends I know" Will commented without explaining. No matter how much Ryan tried to get him to enplane more Will would just smile and say "you will see." Finally Ryan started filing the day and all they had done away in his mind. Will prepared his sleeping area as the night before and Ryan laid down there to rest. He thought on the days happenings and soon drifted off to a deep. Will quietly looked over at the sleeping man for a time before going into his sleeping area for the night. There was a smile on his lips as he entered into his sleeping area. Day 2 in Narnia Ryan awoke to birds singing outside and Will nowhere to be seen. Once awake enough Ryan got up and quickly looked over the small cottage to confirm Will was not in the cottage. Still sleepy and with a big yawn Ryan stepped outside to see a distance Will with his back to him. Birds were sitting on each of his shoulder and he was talking to someone. Coming outside of the cottage and approaching Will he could then see who Will was talking to. There was a deer standing facing will as well as other different forest animals nearby. Will heard Ryan approaching and looked back and greeted him. "Morning Ryan, come meet some of my forest friends." Ryan approached Will and the animals near him expecting them to scatter at his approach. They all looked on and watched Ryan but none of them moved as if frighten by his approach. There was a baby doe Will was petting as the mother deer looked on. He had a large robin on one of his shoulders and other animals were near him and the deer's. The robin on Wills shoulder looked back at the approaching Ryan and said "Is this the one you told us of?" Will nodded as he said "Yes it is. Come meet some of my friends" Will called back to the approaching Ryan. Ryan had grown up as mostly a city boy. This much of nature's life so near was something new to him. The talking robin was a bit of a surprise but only by a bit. After all, he was in Narnia now not back in the dark old life he had known. "Hello" Ryan said as he reached Will and the animal life with him. "Now this is a pleasant happening here in Narnia. I was wondering if I ever would meet any other intelligent animal life other than Ashland here!" Will commented. "You human have been blessed greatly, blessed by being with Ashland" the Mother deer spoke up. "Yes, yes he has" Will heard the other animals agree with the mother deer. "I know I have been" Ryan agreed with them. "My animal friends here often come by to give me the latest news about the kingdom. That was one of the reasons robin is here. But also to meet you" Will added. "Now that Robin has seen you he will have to go on to others who receive the latest news from him. I have asked him to say nothing about you to anyone else he meets. It was Ashland's wish so I have passed it on to him." "We will be quiet about him too" the mother deer promised with the other animals agreeing. "I have been brought here with a mission by Ashland, he says I can do. I also thank you for being silent about me until my time has begun" Ryan said. "I think Ashland has chosen well man Ryan" Robin said just before he took off. "Let us return to the cottage to eat breakfast" Will said as the two men headed back. "They will still be here after we eat, and come back out" Will added. Ryan keep looking back at the animals standing in the spot they had just left them. Though he knew he shouldn't be surprised at the talking animals he still was. After meeting and talking with Ashland, such happening should have been expected there in Narnia. Will said nothing as he looked back at his friend but just smiled and said "come on". Ryan looked ahead at Will and just nodded and said "OK". Back in the cottage Ryan noted that the table was already furnished for that morning's breakfast. Ryan commented on this but Will just smiled and said "sit and eat and we can talk." For a time they ate in silence till Ryan asked "are there any other people around here like us. So far you are the only humans I have met here, not that I do not enjoy the animal life here." Will smile as he ate, answering Ryan's question. "No, the closes other humans are in the town you will work with. When you are to go there my friend will take you." "Who is this friend "Ryan asked. "A farmer like yourself or someone I have not met yet?" "You will meet him when it is time but not till then, for now just learn." Ryan was about to ask something more but decided he need not. "OK" he finally said with a smile and concentrated more on his breakfast. After the meal Will got up to clean off the table and clean the dishes. "Go on outside and visit with my friends" Will said, "I will be along shortly." Ryan nodded and did as Will had suggested and went back out to the animals outside. As he reached the animals he asked them, "What can you tell me about Will you know of him and I do not?" The animals looked at each other and then a raccoon near Ryan spoke up. "What you see of the one you call Will is what he is to us too. We help keep the dumb animals away from his plants. After they grow and he after he picks them, he shares some of them with us Duran the winter times." Ryan tried to get more from the animals but basically what they had said of Ryan was it. As he was trying to think of something more to ask them he heard Will behind him. "Whatever you ask of my friends you can ask of me, I/we will not keep secrets from you. If we are not allowed to answer you it is because Ashland has instructed us not to. He is the true King of Narnia and his wish is the law we all go by. Be we a farmer or the king." Ryan turned around and tried to explane. "The world I come from thinks everyone has secrets so I guess I was thinking the same way of Narnia." "Yes I know" Will said, "But not here with us in Narnia. Only those of a evil heart try's to hide themselves in lies. You will not find such here with us" Will added. Ryan tried to apologize more but Will just waved him off. Looking back at the animals behind him, Will greeted each of them by name. "Lets us all go sit by the stream friend Ryan," Will suggested and turning led the way to the stream. Finding a large rock the two men sat down on it with the animals sitting or standing nearby. For the rest of the morning the men talked with the animals talking with them. Now and then an animal would leave but be replaced with another out of the forest. The squirrels chatter the most and had the most to say but mostly only of interest to other squirrels. "If you ever need to know what's going on in Narnia, just ask any squirrel. They will let you know the answer to your question and more "Will promised. "To be sure" Ryan agreed with a grin. "I have read stories about Narnia from childhood. I look forward to how much of them are true." "Others from your world have visited here; if they wrote their times down they may well be true." "I suppose so" Ryan agreed, "but they may have left things out or blew them up in the telling." Will nodded in agreement as for the rest of the morning the men and animals shared. After a time Will said he had to leave, "to prepare our lunch" he explained. Ryan nodded his understanding and continued chatting with his new animal friends. One thing he learned were animal jokes told to him by the squirrels and others. Later as he returned to the hut with Will he revived new advice. "Ryan, do you have a good memory" Will asked? "Yes I do (I think)" Ryan answered, "why?" "Knowing these jokes will help you in your mission for Ashland "Will answered! Ryan looked at Will with a questing look but said nothing; he filed the comment in his mind. The days continued on Over the next days and weeks and months Ryan grew and opened with Will and his visitors. Now and then he thought he saw Ashland but always at a distance, so he was never sure. He spoke about it to Will who said "perhaps it was him, perhaps not; when he is ready he will show himself." Ryan could say nothing more than agree with Wills comment. About a week later he was near the tree in the center looking up at it. "I bet if you could talk old one we would hear a lot of interesting stories." He never expected an answer but one came from behind him. "He does speak but not in words a son of Adam or Daughter of Eve could understand" Ryan heard. Turning around Ryan saw Ashland standing there with Will and several of the animals he knew. "Ashland" Ryan exclaimed happily. "Yes it is I son of Adam, I have been keeping track on your growth outward. You are now ready and able to help others as you have been helped here." "I thank you highness that you have faith in me, may I fulfill your mission you brought me here for." "You will not be alone" Will said, several of my animal friend you have spoken with will go with you. For now I must stay here but when the time and need arises I will also be there." Ryan thanked Will for his words and he thanked the animals who would travel with him. Then Ashland spoke to him once more. "There is one other who will travel with you that you have yet to meet" Ashland said. Will pointed behind Ryan who turned around and saw the one creature he never expected, a unicorn. Not all white as he thought they all were but Black as night with white feet and a long white horn. Slowly it walked up to Ryan stopping a few feet from him. "Son of Adam, I have been asked by Ashland to travel with you as protector, teacher and friend. For now we will travel the land to learn about it and its life. The other animals with you will help in communication with the dumb animal life we meet" "In time you will return here" Will said, "then the next part of your mission will start." "OK" Ryan said, "them what must I do to prepare for this walk in the land?" "For now we will return to the hut for a travel change of clothing" will said grinning. "You will have a great time over the next few days" he added. Ryan headed for Wills hut with Ashland to his left, and Will to his right and the unicorn walking behind them. He was told by Will as they walked his new outfit awaited him in Wills bedroom. Even as the present one had been there for him. The outfit laded out for him this time was green with a blueish fringe on the topping. His pants were also green but with a black fringing down each legging. It had a brown twisted belt that once the paints were on, he tightened it in the front. His shoes were a comfortable moccasin type, perfect for walking in. The last piece was a hat with a point that pointed backwards with feathers in the pointy part. "I most certainly will be notices in this outfit," Ryan thought to himself. After a quick look in the small mirror in the room Ryan headed out. Travels in Narnia Leaving the bedroom Ryan joined the others in the main front area. Ashland and the others looked his way as he entered but only Ashland spoke. "Son of Adam now you look like a Wish Old One on the outside; even as you are feeling on your inside." "Thank you for your words Ashland," Ryan said, "but why is it necessary that I dress this way? What I know of Narnia most people dress as Will does, so will not this outfit draw attention to me, or is this your plan?" "Yes" was all Ashland said with his large lion smile. "Your unicorn traveling companions name is Oh Kara Yam but you can call her Kara. Most times she will walk, with you walking beside her. At other times as she will tell you, you will ride on her back." "Thank you Ashland, thank you Kara as well. I know what an honor it is for one to ride a unicorn back and I realize this as so. May I ever be worth of this honor showed me!" "Kara is well traveled in the land of Narnia as well as other lands but you need only travel in Narnia, for now" he added. "Your animal companions will change now and then in your travels. The local animals who know the area will take place of those from other areas as you travel" Will said. "If one animal leaves you is replaced by another do not worry about it. If any introductions are need they will come." "If you need help crossing a stream call on the spirit of the stream in Will Little Feathers name. They will come at that name and help as needed." "Is that your full name Will," Ryan asked? "Yes it is one of my names," will said "but you need know no more for now." Ryan wanted to ask more but from his time with Will, he knew it would be useless to try to get more from him. "OK friend Will" Ryan said, "I will ask nothing more of you as you requested." Everyone returned outside where Karla and the animals waited. Outside Ashland spoke to Ryan one more time. "For now Karla will lead so just follow her directions." Ryan promised he would and after a last few words Ryan and his animal companions headed out. Ryan stopped by the center tree and spoke to it like a old friend. Karla and the others stopped and waited as he said his goodbye. "Goodbye old friend for a time, I promise to remember all I have learned from your existence." A few more words were spoken but finally turning Ryan and the others left for their travels. As they traveled along with Ryan next to Karla, she spoke to Ryan for the first time. "I see that you have learned your most important lesson from father nature when you said your goodbye to an old one of the forest." "Who are you speaking about, I know no father nature, I know only about a mother nature where I come from" Ryan asked Karla?" Karla nodded her head and neighed as she said, "the one you knew as Will Little Feather is also known as Father Nature. He is over the nature of Narnia even as your Mother Nature was over your world." |