The Invasion

The Invasion, June 1623

She desperately longed for home; the familiar sights and sounds and smells of the comfort of home. She longed to run barefoot in the fields of tall grasses in the crisp air of spring morning. To feel the wind stroke her face and run its hands through her hair as she sprinted ahead. She longed to climb her favourite Kalayaan tree that stood proud and strong near her home. Like a bird she would perch atop its highest branches, light-hearted and unrestrained above the cares of the world. There she would look out to the horizon, calm and peaceful, and watch the sun paint its colourful masterpieces across the glittering sky. The sight would warm her heart and spark her imagination of the endless bounty of the world. She longed to hear the laughter of her friends as they raced to the running stream that flooded into the lake. She would dive to the depths and explore the silent world beneath with the sun's rays penetrating the surface like spears of sparkling light. But above all, she longed to be free.

She sat up from her sleeping form. In the dim light she glanced at the rusting iron prison cell. She was alone. Only a dream of home hung at the edge of her mind. Slowly, even that too would fade; along with the light of her once youthful eyes. She missed her family terribly. She longed to see her mother and have her stroke her hair until she fell asleep or hear her father's illustrious voice as he told another eccentric and captivating story. The isolation was suffocating. After three weeks, with no idea of what her destination would be, there no longer sat a vibrant and energetic young girl, strong and carefree. Her ten year old frame began to wither away. She had not seen the sun in its splendor or the sky in its glory since she had been taken and she had lost the bright glow of her face. She glanced at her chained feet. They were bare and cold and stiff like the rest of her body. The ground was damp and water constantly dripped through the gaps in the wooden boards above. She clung to the corner of her cage as the ground rocked dangerously. The iron cage dug into the skin of her back as she leaned against it. She barely flinched. Her body was numb, malnourished and exhausted. She rested her head against the swaying cage and listened. She heard many voices, shouting and screaming. It was as if they were attempting to tame the sea. But they were distant and faint against the sound of the waves as they crashed violently onto the ship. She found the sounds oddly comforting.

Soon, the afflicted ship began to creek and moan and slowly water began to fill the floor of her cage. She stood up solemnly as the icy water pooled around her feet. After a loud thunderous cry the ship gave in to defeat. Overpowered, the sea began to flood into it like wild hounds claiming their prize. She heard the water before she saw it and it swept her up in her narrow cage. She shut her eyes and held her breath. Suddenly, she felt herself being whirled into a graceless dance. As the water calmed, she listened. Silence. Just another group of nameless slaves lost at sea. Her chest began to burn and she opened her eyes. The ship was torn apart and splinted. She looked up toward the surface where the light illuminated the darkness of the ocean. A dazzling light that reminded her of home. The more she reached out toward the light, the fainter and more distant it became. Darkness grew around her and, without fear, she welcomed it. Slowly and hesitantly, she let go of the breath she had been holding. In that moment, she thought she heard the familiar sound of laughter and the splashing of water as it tumbled over small rocks and the beautiful sing-song of birds in the treetops and the rustling of the wind along the grassy fields. And her soul was set free... Free from suffering, free from pain, free from heartache and torture, free to join her people who's blood now stained the green plains with red flowers. And her body, still chained to her cage, sank gracefully to the world unknown.

Today the Kalayaan Tree is known as the 'Tree of Freedom' - a silent witness to the tragedy of mankind.