A fast-fast run along with jumps through the lanes, a single though, constantly swirling in a head - “I will make it” ... Yes, I will make it!
A sharp head’s turn - a man catching him has come up from round the corner. He didn’t deceive him ... didn’t ... a man has probably noticed, where I have turned! He’s gonna to catch me now! One hundred meters ... ninety ... eighty ... seventy ...
Here it is. His own home. Home ... or something that can be called as such with an immense share of doubt. Here’s his rescue.
He cannot let this place be discovered - it was necessary to mislead a persecutor. The recent thief ran away from this house into the next lane, a man - just behind him.
Now ... upwards by ladders - then we’ll move down on a lift. Upwards, upwards! Tramping behind his back ...
Just to be in time - just to get to his home unnoticed! At last ... last floor ... just a portion of more time to come off! The button of a lift, pressed against the stop ... opening and closing doors, made of iron. He slipped inside.
Have I made that? Haven’t they noticed?
A ground floor. A choking teenager, who has jumped out of a lift - almost child ... And running again - a desperate, on the last breath, run. Running for the rescue.
Here it is - his refuge, which has already aided him time and again from a hardship, from misfortunes and hatred of others, - rescued from totally anything, except for himself ...
He ran into the house - opened and covered a cellar’s door. He has no time to barricade it for now. He has to hide, to show no signs of life! Then he will get a chance to deceive - he most certainly will.
Drops of water, dripping from a ceiling. A smell of something being burned, coming from depths. A teenager, clamped in a corner - almost like a child. Silent-silent breath in own palms - to not be heard. Rescued?
A slowly opening door ... streams of light, which have illuminated and shined a figure on a threshold, his sight is directed directly to a teenager ...
A smile? Is he smiling? He has finally caught him and is smiling now?! Probably in anticipation of forthcoming punishment ...
A quiet voice, filled with internal dignity ...
“Well, stop hiding there. To hide from others for all your life - you don’t intend to live so, yes? Come on, come here. Stop fearing me, why are you even stronger clamping in this dirty corner, as if it can serve for you as a rescue in this life? I am not going to abuse and beat you ... you have been suffering already - more pain is not an option. Come on, stand up. I will even let you take a part of money that you have stolen. Maybe even all of them - if you are going to spend then reasonably.”
He’s calling for him to approach. A trap? Probably. Certainly.
But his voice rings somehow too warmly and convincingly. Other men didn’t speak that way ... yes ! - they spoke totally different when they had caught him ... And besides ... what prevents him from just approaching and taking what has been stolen by force ? - and yet he doesn’t ... still saying something ... Will willingly let him keep all money? Oh, sure, I’m gonna to believe you right away! Such things simply never happen.
“Why do you still fear me? I have already promised not to cause you harm. You feel no trust ... yes, you are too frightened and too fierce at present to start trusting people ... but you will overcome this obstacle, you’ll see! All right, if you still do not desire to move ... Then I will go down to reach you myself.”
He’s approaching ... going down! No, that’s the end! He totally pressed himself into the dark corner ...
“What sort of home do you have ... And what’s that? A glue? Oh my silly little fellow, whether this muck can replace a real healthy life? All right, stand up. It’s necessary to hide in this murky corner no more. Stand up, I will aid you.”
Strong hands, which have now very accurately raised him up. He lifted own eyes with shyness to see the man and involuntarily admired. Courageous and fearless face ... a smile, playing on lips ... attentive and ... sympathizing ... gaze? As though looking into your very soul and seeing each and every you desire, all your dreams ...
“Let’s go, oh pilferer”, - a man smiled once more. “We have to move forward, for another path is waiting for you. Very soon you will see that. No, it’s not necessary to return me that money, keep it to yourself - for pocket expenses, as they call it. But keep in mind that I will check of how you’ve spent them.
Where are we travelling? Back to my home - it’s so much better that your musty cellar. You will live with me for a while - for after all you have always dreamed to have a father, yes? I will be such a one - until your way will call for you.
You have an entire life waiting for you. Let it be a worthy one - you have the power to make your life the way it ought to be, for that’s what you have deserved. And I - I’ll simply aid you on your way, help you make the first steps ... you will travel yourself from there on. I will help you - I desire to help you, so that you can behold the life. Life, I tell you, instead of its dark illusion! Take my hand. Follow me.”
Two slowly travelling figures - a man along with a little boy. Heads of both are raised and sight is directed somewhere highly in the heaves ... A brisk cheerful conversation. Laughter and smiles.
Life is just one corner ahead.
12.04.2011
Of the Princes, who do not exist
One day this will happen.
Your prince on a white horse will once come to you, though you will not hear him. You will not notice him in human crowd, you will not open your doors when he will knock. You will not recognize him and let him enter, for you have not been waiting. True princes always come unexpectedly.
They need no heralds, announcing their arrival. They need no applause. Shouts of approval of others are not required for them. Even horses are necessary no more.
They always come on their own – with years of hard work and constant challenges they got used to rely only on own powers, they learnt to trust themselves. You will not hear them far off on knocking of hoofs of their dashing horses, you will never see them caracoling. They have left white horses far behind of themselves, for without them they can move faster. They have rejected a gilt harness and a well-cared mane, they have refused convenient saddles. Now they always come on their own.
For that reason you will not recognize him, you will pass by.
If they towered proudly over the others on their graceful horses – they would be too appreciable. But they need no applause.
If they raced you on their snow-white horses – you would never forget this short journey together. But they need no dependence on them.
If they have offered you to marry them – you could not refuse. But they want to see others being free.
They denied this greatness. The stepped down from their horses. They became small princes.
And with time they got lost in a big crowd.
That is why you will not recognize him, for you have not known him. For you knew only big princes – too big to once become small ones. That is why you always look above your head, hoping to see big ones and never noticing the small. They became useless.
And still they come. And still they continue to knock on the door of yours, knowing that those doors will not be opened – for there is nobody inside to do it anymore.
And still they hope that one day, lots of years after, you will remember that quiet knock you have heard so long ago, countless days before, but chosen not to open the door, for the unexpected visitor came in thunder-storm and you were too afraid to presoak your feet. Yes, you will remember it once – and smile, having understood, what sort of traveller was on the road.