**Title TBD**

The boy was delicate. With tiny bones, and white-blonde hair, he seemed to be so vulnerable that just being exposed to the Australian sun longer than fifteen minutes would burn the little one to a crisp. Despite it all, he worked with the zeal of a child who wanted approval from the adults around him.

His tanned, rugged mother hung laundry in the afternoon sun, humming a tune carried on the wind that Julian could not quite decipher. He was busy digging trenches in which to plant the pole beans.

"Julian!" his mother called. "I've got someone I want you to meet!"

The boy ventured toward his mother's voice. The figures were a mirage in the distance, framed by sand and greenery. The white sheets on the clothesline flapped like flags in the wind. His mother was speaking to this stranger, but he couldn't quite make out her words.

"Julian, this is Gurumayi, a teacher with whom I'd like you to study."

As Julian got closer, he was pleased at the man's appearance. He was thin and brown, with a wide smile. His smile made Julian feel like something wonderful would happen, as if he were going to be whisked off to get ice cream or go swimming with his friends. The man made Julian feel loved.

His mother bended a knee and crouched close to Julian. She took his tiny hands into hers.

"Julian, Gurumayi would like to take you on a vacation to a very special place, would you like to go?"

The little boy's giant blue eyes shifted between his mother and the man.

"Will you come too, Mommy?" He asked hopefully.

"I will meet you there as soon as I can get out of the colony, sweetheart. I need to speak with your Daddy and let him know I'm leaving the Family." She caressed his cheek and kissed his forehead.

"You'll go to India!" She exclaimed happily. "You'll learn to be a great spiritual leader, helping people around the world and spreading a message of peace." She studied the boy's innocent face. "Your path will become much clearer to you after you arrive and meet your new friends, OK?"

Julian's eyes welled with tears. "I want you to come too, Mommy. I don't want to be away from you."

"I know, little bear. I promise I'll catch up with you before you know it, OK? In the meantime, Master Gurumayi will take very good care of you and make sure you don't feel homesick at all. I'm excited for you, this is going to be great fun!" Julian's mother put on the most enthusiastic face she could given her temporary separation from her baby.

The revered guru gently guided the tiny boy onto the airplane, his little bags packed and his bear snuggled in his arms.

"I'll see you soon!" His mama called as he boarded the plane.

At the bottom of the landing steps, I pulled Gurumayi aside to validate our plan.

"Listen, I need you to keep him at the ashram and away from the family." I spoke solemnly into the Guru's eyes. "Make sure he is nurtured until I get there, I am now his mother, he knows no different."

"Understood," replied the Guru serenely. "I know what needs to be done."

I pressed my hands together in front of my heart and then my forehead in gratitude to the holy man.

"Thank you so much, the fate of the world may rest on this little boy's destiny." I bit my lip, my anxiety brimming to the top.
"Many blessings, my friend."

And with that, the Guru ferried the little boy away from a harsh life with an isolated group of adults. The trajectory of his timeline couldn't have travelled more differently than what I had orchestrated, I just hoped it would be enough.