Story of a revolutionary king

We'll walk as equals, because we are

For many days and many nights I followed the man, under the sun and the rain alike. He seemed unbothered by it all, as if his pursuit was greater than life itself. Silent yet charismatic, I was cautious at first; - "Where are we headed?" I mumbled to myself, - "Where there is no need for masks" he answered. Only at that moment I realized that my face was exposed, the heavy weight of my many masks lifted off of me, yet, he remained unbothered by my horrid facade. I recall reading in the town library that the world outside the walls of the city was a barren landscape, devoid of life and more dangerous than death itself. I was mistaken once more. The landscape was nothing short of paradisiacal, with luscious forests and vast, sapphire like, rivers. 

We started to talk more and more, letting go of that worry that accompanied me whenever I met someone new. He is a man of culture, of that I'm sure; when he talked it seemed as if even the sun came down just to listen to him, and then I started to notice it. I left small but greasy and dark footmark where I walked, he did not; the soil itself lifted to embrace his foot, letting him walk quicker and with less effort. Sometimes we'd walk through bushes or similar plants, and while my clothes tended to remain entangled in the foliage, his did not; the blades of grass moved to let him through, the bushes shrank to avoid his figure and even the trees bowed to him. When we crossed bodies of water of any kind, I had to try my hardest not to drown or get wet, while he just crossed them, and the waters parted ways not to inconvenience him. Even the animals respected this man, I smelled of garbage and rot and so mosquitoes and flies enjoyed my presence, yet they never landed on him, as in fear of disturbing a resting giant. "We are equals, you said." I snapped one night, - "Yet, look at our differences, I'm miserable and you... You walk this land like a king; as if it was yours and yours alone." 

That night I would learn what mutual respect is. 

The man sat atop of a small rock and, by the light of the fire that warmed us, fished up from his vest some strange and colorful flowers. They shone in the night as much as sun stone does, my gaze fixated on them. "I'll show you that we are indeed equals, it's not about the differences between us, but it's the mutual value that we give one another that matters." He continued, - "You are like me, and in so, I'm just like you; can't you see?" He had rolled up the fragrant flowers with some paper and, after lighting it up at the fire, took a puff. "Look at the smoke of the fire, it is perfect to flavor your meals, but if it catches your eyes, you'll cry." He breathed in again, then released a cloud of iridescent smoke and said, - "Look at this cloud of smoke now, much more thick and charming; this one serves you no purpose in enriching your meals, but can and will open your eyes to a new reality." There was something ancestral about all this, and I almost felt that it was true, almost. Then he gave me the joint, - "Smoke it, trust me." I grabbed the joint and in my hands it was lighter than air, with a bit of fear, I took a puff. The night turned into day again, a kaleidoscope of familiar light was shining upon me now, engulfing me in its revealing truths. "I feel... different" I think I said, the man sitting in front of me just smiled. At that moment, all made sense to me. "We truly are equals then, you and I." - "Yes, my friend, we are." 

From that moment on, in my heart, there was only a deep respect for the man in rugged clothes; for he showed me humanity, and treated me as one treats a sister. He cared not for my strange appearance, nor my unusual voice; not even for my different view of life. We kept walking under the warm light of the sun and, when the moon shone bright in the night sky, we smoked together; talking about all sorts of different things. The man knew, and so I asked, hungry for this knowledge - "Tell me of art." And so he opened up his library of a mind and told me all about art. "Tell me of music." And so he showed me the greatest musicians to have ever caressed the ears of humanity. "Tell me of justice." And so he took it upon himself to educate me about the way of the world and how it was cruel at times, systematically, more often than not. He was also an impressive mathematician and knew how the mind of humans chains them to suffering.

We reached the promised city one day all of a sudden, it took me by surprise, I will admit. By now, I had grown close to this man. I respected him, and I knew deep within my soul that he respected me as well, just as I am. The golden gates of the city of freedom were closed, and so I asked him - "What do we do now?" He just reached in his vest, and took out a golden key, one that matched the engravings of the door before us. "So it's true, you are..." he stopped me; "I'm just like you, nothing more." Falling on my knees, I begged the man - "Please, please I beg you, let me call you this." He was silent. "Just this once" I whispered. His eyes closed, and with a meaningful nod, he gave me the floor. 

"The King of all kings, for that is what you are."

-Dedicated to you Ivan, dedicated to the King of all kings.-