PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL ON THE TRAILS

Several years have passed and now he has reached old age. He has returned to the same trail from which he started his journey such a long time ago. He is surprised with what he now sees.

         He had not realized that the journey of life was so cyclical in nature. He thought to himself, "Travelling from childhood to old age and then back again from old age to childhood, one passes through many cycles."

         When he began his journey as a child, he walked such a long distance on the highway with his family, the same highway that many generations had walked before. His family tried to persuade him that if he were ever faced with a crisis, his relatives would be there to help get him back on his feet; they would act as crutches and be supportive of him. His family would encourage him, and they would pray for him. They tried to convince him that it was the best choice he could make in his life to choose to follow the traditions of his ancestors. But, he felt suffocated in that environment. He longed for fresh air. He had been convinced by family members that it was a sign of emotional immaturity when one complained. He was told he must be patient and tolerant; he would get used to the hardships he faced.

         He listened to his ancestors for a very long time, both patiently and attentively; but, his heart was not convinced and one day he left the familiar highway his family travelled and began his journey alone. He started out on his own trail.

         When he parted he heard many warnings from concerned relatives:   "The sheep that leaves the herd regrets it in the end." His family members tried to discourage him, but he did not turn back. He followed the calling of his heart hoping to fulfil his dreams. He had not gone far before he stumbled and fell. He was flat on his face and unable to get up. He cried in desperation and hoped then that his family members would come to his rescue. No one came. In the far off distance he heard a voice echo the words "Didn't we warn you not to go alone?"

         He might have died there, alone, had not a kind stranger come to help him. The stranger had also left his own family's highway and made a trail for himself. The two became friends and supported each other in their arduous journey. They realized that their bond of friendship was stronger than a blood relationship.

         While they were travelling together they passed another highway that was travelled by familiar tribesmen. The tribal leader invited the two lonely travellers to join the tribe. They agreed to join the caravan, but it was not long afterward that they realized that the tribesmen worshipped the same idols as did the ancestors of their past. The travellers were convinced that they could not join the tribe in idol-worshipping and so they left that highway as well and sought again another trail not so well travelled. At the time of department they were again warned of the terrible circumstances that may follow once they left the security of the tribe. They listened to the warnings of the tribesmen, but they followed their own hearts hoping to be much more successful this time, now that they were two.

         It was not far along the trail before they faced yet another dilemma:  they found themselves lost within the darkness of a dense jungle. They cried out for help, hoping that the men and women of the tribe would hear their pleas and come to rescue them; they waited in anticipation, but not one sympathetic voice was heard in the distance in response to their calls.

         While they were still struggling to find their way, they discovered others, who like themselves, had left their own tribes, their own homes and their belongings, and embarked on a journey which began with a call from within; these people too, were following their hearts. When the jungle sojourners met the two lonely travellers they invited them to join. This gesture of kindness from a small group of strangers was life-sparing.

         The next day they packed their few belongings, took down their tents, and embarked upon the trail once again. The new trail lead them to another highway on which the people of their own time were travelling. Again, they were asked to join their own people, but they did not. They kept to their own path and travelled on their own trail, keeping to the call from within.