A Paradise Lost

The 1st Step of a Thousand Miles Journey

Queen Raya commanded her warriors to stock several sacks of rice that would feed 250 people in a journey of 5 years inside the 5 newly-built ships that they were going to take on their journey. She also asked them to stock meat and vegetables inside the jar that would be enough to feed them for 5 years. The jars they used to stock meat and vegetables was made of a special type of clay making its interior freezing cold. The freezing cold temperature inside the jar was used to store meat and vegetables so that it wouldn’t rot.

Queen Raya asked her warriors to stock oil and several pile of woods that they could use to make a fire. She asked them to stock enough drinking water good for 5 years. She also stocked charcoal. They used charcoal to purify the water in case they will run out of water to drink and wash.

Queen Raya stocked weapons like swords, knives, bolos, spears, and bows and arrows for each of her warriors.

Finally, Queen Raya stocked 1,000 talents of gold and precious metals like diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and pearls. She was confident that their ships would not easily be capsized since it was made of one of the hardest woods in the world which was the Narra Tree.

Queen Raya didn’t plan to be away in her kingdom for five years. She stocked enough supplies good for five years just in case they will be stuck for a long time in a certain place. The shortest time she’s planning to travel was one year. Two years was already the maximum time to be away from home.

Queen Raya only brought 250 warriors for her journey. She didn’t bring the best warriors to make sure that her kingdom would be protected from invaders while she was away.

A day before Queen Raya’s journey, Bayani approached her again.

“Are you really sure you’re going to do this?”

“I’ve never been sure with my life before.”

“I’m sorry for being a coward. I deeply regretted for refusing to marry you. I apologize if I cannot be the husband or king fitted for you.”

“There’s no need to be sorry. There’s no need to give up your happiness just to please me. You and Moonlight have a right to be happy. You already serve the kingdom with your life. You also deserve to be happy. I wish you and Moonlight all the happiness in the world.”

“Thank you.”

Bayani felt so guilty. He wanted to go with Queen Raya to make sure that he could protect her on her journey but he had an obligation to protect the kingdom while she was away.

Queen Raya and the rest of the 250 warriors that went with her in her journey prayed and offered a burnt gold to Yahweh to seek for His protection and guidance.

Bayani hugged Queen Raya like he was going to lost her. He cried when she boarded the ship. He almost didn’t blink until the five ships were lost in the horizon.

Bayani offered burnt gold to Yahweh. He prayed that Queen Raya and the rest of the 250 men with her would come back to their kingdom safe and sound. He also prayed that she would find the love of her life. Kaalam was observing him while he was praying and offering burnt gold to Yahweh. He approached him after he finished his prayer.

“What is it that you earnestly ask from Yahweh, my son?”

“I asked Yahweh to protect Queen Raya and the rest of the 250 men with her while they are away. I also prayed that she will find a suitable husband that will love her for the rest of her life.”

“Be careful what you wish for.”

“What do you mean?”

“Be careful what you wish for because it might come true.”

“Why? Don’t you want Queen Raya to come back safe and sound?”

“Of course, I want our queen to come back safely. You need to be careful with your second wish. The queen might find favor with another man. You might regret once she will pay less attention to you.”

Bayani was confused with Kaalam’s words of wisdom. He disregarded Kaalam’s words of wisdom for he knew Queen Raya by heart and she loved him even though he could not equally love her in return.