- Water? – the waited was surprised. – Simple spring water?
- Yes, yes, - God responded. – And water can sometimes be sweeter than wine, - He added a bit later.
- Well … the waiter tarried a little, - all right. We’ll do it now. Five minutes or so.
- So quickly? – asked the Newborn God. – You actually have more time than five minutes. I truly very much hope that all this time will be enough for you.
- Excuse me … in what aspect? – the waiter was a little surprised.
- For all of you, - and God warmly waved His hand over all visitors of this institution, having not forgotten to point to a window as well. – I hope given you time will be enough.
- And what will be afterwards? – the waiter as though was still in frustration.
- It depends on you, my beloved children.
- Mmm … tell me, who are you? – the waiter was still standing nearby this mysterious visitor and didn’t decide to carry the order for performance.
- Priest, or whatever! – someone muttered from the next table.
- What’s in my name for you to know? – the God laughed good-natured. – My earth name is both temporary and eternal at the same time.
- Earth? And where are living then, forgive me for my curiosity? – the waited was getting more and more intrigued.
- Everywhere, - God answered quietly.
- Bum, or whatever! – again someone muttered from the next table.
- Inside you as well, - added the Maker.
- Inside us? Where? What for? – the waited was taken aback.
- Here, - answered the God, - and pointed to a waiter’s breast. – You even manage to hear Me from time to time.
- Cranky, or whatever! – once again came the exclamation from the next table.
- Do we hear You? – the waiter still couldn’t come to his senses.
- Well, yes, - told the Creator. – A voice of conscience.
- Aa … why are You here?
- Helping all of you. For I do love you! – and in celestial-blue eyes of God a wandering on His lips smile reflected itself.
- And … for how long will you keep helping us? – the confused waiter questioned.
- Always I will, - the Newborn God answered. – Such is my work! – and His eyes of heavenly color became, apparently, even more endless.
- Aaa … mmm … the last question then … tell, well … erm … whom and where do you work? – the bringer of orders tried to question again, but when he turned back to his unexpected visitor – He has already left.
Only the closing by the wind door creaked melodiously, seeing off such an unusual guest. And on the table where He was sitting earlier, there was a whole mountain of juicy and appetizing galuski pile inside the mysteriously appeared plate. For who if not we need the food, mercifully granted to us by the Maker?
And the Newborn God once again cheerfully walked on city streets and there was sun, shining in His eternally blue eyes. He was happy to live in this world – and in this nameless city of planet Earth.
02.05.2012
Yet unfinished story of one spaceship
- Have you called for me, Coordinator ?
- Yes, Admiral, take a seat. Tea, coffee, an ambrosia ?
- I would not refuse an ambrosia … but, perhaps, somehow another time. Business is too urgent, as I understand ?
- And with no delays possible. The rates in this adventure of yours became too high.
- Mister Coordinator, I understand everything, but after all we ourselves have started this experiment together to …
- I have transferred this ship along with crew under your responsibility, Admiral, under your full responsibility – do you remember ? You have promised me that everything will be as smooth as possible.
- Their free will, which you have granted to them, has appeared to be much more unreasonable, than we assumed initially …
- You selected best ones, Admiral. Three planets in different sectors of the Galaxy for three new races. You have tried to discover pearls on these planets-prisons, Admiral, - and where are your best crew now? Sleeping peacefully in cryogenic capsules onboard of this spaceship which has almost strayed away from a trajectory?
- After the first Collision part of them have awakened, after all.
- I’ll let you know, Admiral, that after this very first Collision the communication system of the ship has been almost destroyed. Even the woken up crew are practically unable to perform two-way communication. We receive all their reports, while they hardly receive one-two percent of ours. Multiply this by two-three percent of those awakened. According to our calculations the probability that they will manage to correct a course of their vessel on coordinates, which we are trying to transfer to them, and avoid collision with the second Ring, is …
- I perfectly know this, mister Coordinator. I know it all. Current number of woken up crewmen of the space vessel does not allow us to rely on the successful ship-handling in a manual mode. And auto-navigation system has already been destroyed two thousand parsecs ago.
- What’s with other crew ? How successful were manual attempts to shutdown cryogenic systems ?
- Completely unsuccessful. After Collision electronics of ship’s systems has been seriously damaged. With manual shutdown the sleepers either die within several seconds, hardly able to realize what is happening with them, or get considerable spiritual-chemical brain damage.
- What sort of damage ?
- It’s symptoms are the uncontrollable flashes of aggression to all things living. They literally clawed with teeth those, who have awoken them.
- And so we have the following : manual unfreezing doesn’t function properly, and there are not enough awakened crew with required talents and skills onboard in order to activate automated systems. A vicious circle. And the second Ring is just ahead in current course. And ship acceleration has been increasing all the time, making new maneuvers more and more difficult.
- Everything is correct, mister Coordinator.
- What protection measures have been taken in case this vessel will not pass it ?
- We have activated closely located orbital modules. Have moved rescue fleet from the adjacent sector.
- How many crewmen can survive Ring Collision, Admiral ?
- All sleeping ones will surely die. And considering those awakened … very few, mister Coordinator. Very few. Collision will break vessel’s hull for more than forty percent. Space ship will be lost forever in any case.
- Is there is still a possibility to achieve hyperlight molecular jumping, when the vessel will be travelling through V sector, taking his current speed into account ? Being on board, you could help those awakened crew change ship’s course.
- The chance is small, but … but I am personally ready to try to rectify own mistake. With own blood, if it’s possible to say so.
- You know the consequences, Admiral. When molecular reassemblage in a process of jumping is performed, your memory will be erased. It’s restoration will require subsequently huge efforts afterwards.
- I know, Coordinator. No one is capable to perform this transition except you and me, anyway. It still gives a little spark of hope.
- For all of us. For even we are compelled to pay for errors of own children. Even we, Admiral. And may the miracle help them all.
- Just before I leave you now, Coordinator, possibly forever, I nevertheless would like to ask – how is this vessel called ? I mean, how do humanoids, inhabiting it, call their home ? We have our own name for it, but nevertheless …
- Admiral, don’t make me believe that you have already passed the process of molecular reassemblage directly before my eyes. You perfectly know how they call it, - and Coordinator smiled sadly, - that they call it “The Earth”…
29.09.2010
H means : Hope
Five in a boat, not counting the cat
- The storm is approaching, - the captain of a vessel has noticed, - we may be not in time. We should
better …
- We will be in time ! – the Mistress has unceremoniously interrupted. – If you have obeyed me three hundred and twenty seven strokes back, we wouldn’t even be caught by it. I have been telling you, dolt, to the south, to the south we had to row ! And what did you say – we’ll go north, we’ll go north ! Sail now to the east, oh my ingenious one ! And don’t even dare to break a boat !
- Oh, don’t start it, - the captain got confused. – Just imagine, how beautiful the north is ! The polar lights, colds, stopping the blood, wind’s howl, making one’s lose his hearing, penguins on ice floes, after all …
- Yeah, penguins is an interesting topic, - I would like to see at least one of them live, - the Middle brother has interrupted the conversation.
- And I desire to go to the West, - the Elder brother said suddenly. Life is a way better there and people are more cultural, don’t swear like some other.
- So you’ll swim there alone, in your next life. If you have sufficient brains. And now we’ll sail to the southeast ! – the Mistress was becoming even more angry.
- Heck, to the south or to the east, make up ye mind at last ! – it was obvious, that captain was already starting to feel the rage.
- At first to the south, and then to the east, wasn’t that clear enough ? Or do you need an instruction for each and every stroke ?
- Dunno need, - the captain has taken offence. - I’ll somehow manage it myself, move away !
And, having this said, he has flopped on vessel’s prow and started to fiercely beat water with oars, as if waves of salty moisture were capable to extinguish a fire, periodically inflaming his soul.
- And where are we sailing now ?! – the Mistress has exclaimed both unceremoniously and pathetically five minutes after the supervision over this nonsense. – There is a north over there ! You have not even turned a boat !
- If you are such a smarty one, take oars and row yourself ! – the captain bawled. - You cannot even appreciate the help !
- I don’t want such “help” even free of charge. You all are just useless, I have to do it all myself !
And with these words the Mistress has taken seat on a stern, and started to make elegant pirouettes on water with oars.
A stroke. And yet again. And several tens of strokes as well. Whooowwwhhh ! – and a wave, which has suddenly rolled on a vessel, washed away half of stock, which was located there, having not spared even banal food.
- What have you made, asshole ! – the Mistress cried out. – All our emergency rations were there, for evil day prepared ! The last gifts of my mother were there ! Not for you, for my children all that I’ve prepared, by grains collected ! What a clumsy one are you, indeed !
- As if I had not did it for children ! – the captain frowned. – And, yeah, if that’s so important for you, you must have fastened it better !
- So I did ! Attached everything, tied it all up ! Who might have known, that you will be able to wash it all away in a single flash !
- The luggage was washed away by a wave, - the Middle has had enough time to interrupt the skirmish. – A man cannot command waves.
- The storm is coming, - the Elder has noticed. – I can already see in on the horizon.
- Just look at what you have done ! – as though not hearing him, the Mistress continued to exclaim. - Has washed away our stock, woken the Younger.
- Yep, yep, - the Younger brother sniffed from a boat’s corner, still opening his eyes. – Has woken, woken ! Bad, nasty !
… and even managed to water our cat !
- Miaow ! – said the cat, who has just got out from under a seat and started to lick own wet wool extensively. - Miaow ! – she has repeated once more and with a reproach in her cattish eyes stared at all the heroes of element’s triumph.
- You row in opposite directions, - the Elder has sarcastically noticed. - Are you planning to continue or going to stop right away ? The storm is already close.
- Storm, storm ! Mummy, mum ! Save, rescue ! – the Younger began to cry.
- Now, my little one, just a moment ! All these dolts have not even a slightest idea, that we must row to the south ! Only mum knows it all, can do it all, predicts it all ! She will help, she will rescue !
- Miaow ? – a stained cat has interrogatively stared at her.
- A storm, however, you haven’t foreseen, - the Elder hemmed. – Come on, let me replace you, - he told to the Mistress, - and unceremoniously took one oar. The Middle took the second.
- We will sail to the north tomorrow, three altogether, - the Elder stated, addressing the captain. – And now let’s row to the east all as one, - Middle has added as well. – Ok, let’s go !
A stroke. And the next one. And several more hundreds of them.
They have almost reached the coast – but the storm has caught them nevertheless.
It flanged the boat and began to whirl it, pouring with waves. It washed away another part of a luggage stock. It, finally, for the second time didn’t spare an unfortunate cat, who had already started to dry up on a wind. It struck captain’s face several times with its waves. It reached a stern with Elder and Middle brothers. It poured with water a screaming Younger one.
In short, it was rigid. But not omnipotent.
The storm has come to an end, and the coast has finally appeared. Just a two hundred meters. Just a leaking and dilapidated boat. Just a wet cat, rubbing about feet in a vain attempt to warm oneself.
- Retards ! – a Mistress has shouted short after coming to her senses. - Broken a boat ! Washed away the luggage ! Watered the Younger one ! I have no more powers, monsters ! – and with these words she has seized Younger brother and together with him has jumped overboard, strenuously swimming to a coast in a southern direction.
Three remained heroes of the day (four, considering a wet cat as a passenger) with the last bit of strength finally sailed to a coast, taking out water, accumulating in a worn out boat, in a process.
- So, where are we going to travel now ? – The ex-captain interrogatively looked at them.
- To the West, - the Elder brother said confidently. – Storm warnings are usually announced there in advance.
- Well, and I then, probably, will travel East, for the sake of variety, - the Middle one decided.
- So, well, if things are that way and my leadership is no more necessary to everybody, I will go, perhaps, to the north, - the captain of the broken boat noticed enthusiastically. – Always dreamt of visiting the north at least once in my ex-captain’s life …
P.S.
So, and how’s cat’s destiny turned out ? Living well, we guess.
Having jumped out in the last moment from her recent dwelling, which has broken on its way ashore, she has indifferently curved her back and, having caved in, has splashed from herself the rest of this inutile moisture, impregnated with salt of life, mewed few times encouragingly, and run, where the tail directs. Have granted herself to the new way of life.
02.11.2010
For the Patriarch!
Today I have woken up extraordinary early - the sun itself hasn’t had the time to rise on the east. I am awake for almost an hour, and still unable to comprehend what has interrupted my blissful dream. Something keeps moving somewhere inside my breast and disturbs me. It’s strange. Never before did I feel something similar. Some unworthy thoughts are pooling through my mind - probably, Satan himself is trying to tempt me. I shall expel these thoughts of heresy - in the name of our Patriarch!
In vague feelings I turn on the light and the video - for a morning prayer ceremony is going to start soon, and we, Divine children, will unanimously incline our heads in these solemn minutes, and with all our hearts will bless His Holiness - modest vicar of our divine Father on this sinful earth.
As always I take an over gilded cross-shaped device and accurately press a small button on it - and this wonderful object, a gift of the God himself, which our beloved Patriarch has named “video display”, comes to life. As far as I remembe
r, several centuries ago such things were named “consoles” and so-called “TV” were analogs of these “video displays”. However, I am not totally assured in this. I wasn’t a diligent student in our school seminary - and we’ve been taught very little of our past anyway.
Little time is still left prior to the beginning of a morning prayer, which will be broadcasted through these video displays to each apartment - each shelter of every soul. I must now consume earth food in order to saturate my body - and all my powers will be put in a spirit further to be a modest servant in this imperfect world for the sake of goals of our Sacred Father, may His name forever glow in the heavens !
Since the time, when humble servants of our Patriarch invented some magnificent way to almost instantly create food from separate substances, granted by nature itself, - we know no such thing as starvation, for a food can be made almost from everything in this world of ours. Truly, only the Lord himself could grant our Patriarch such great power over the world, truly our Patriarch is his deputy on the Earth!
I have had the time to sate sinful body and have almost dived into pure thoughts of that magnificent kingdom of paradise where we, humble servants of our great Deputy, are being led, when video display suddenly made a familiar sound - that means that morning prayer is about to begin, and we, imperfect creations of our grand Father, will be granted yet another possibility to purify our souls from inner darkness. If we are going to be submissive and love our Patriarch, then this prayer will give us indescribable joy and peace - for that’s the way it ought to be.
The prayer was wonderful - as always, it was amazing. It’s such a joy - to stand, having submissively inclined one’s head and listening to spellbinding church’s chanting, - and to feel yourself as a particle of something so much greater, something eternal. It’s an incomparable joy - to overhear a voice of the Patriarch when he welcomes his children and blesses them for the new day in this world.
On the Wings of Hope : Prose Page 3