A Strange tale of Ten Golden Rules
About 400 years ago, somewhere upon this planet
A strange meeting took place.
A meeting of strangers,
And not one of them knew why they were there.
Tonight I plead that you all gather round my meagre fire,
In this clearing, in the forest, under the clearest of night skies.
To the accompaniment of natures night noises,
This stranger said -
I have a strange and curious tale to tell.
The owl twit-a-woos.
A beverage known as coffee brews so help yourselves.
For those who are weak of mind, they will find
By the old yew in yonder corner, mead and porter and other booze.
Pray let me begin
..
In days before recorded time, in the densest of African jungle
There was a church.
Not a building of wood or stone
But a gathering of people, (the original meaning of the word church),
In an immense clearing, in the jungle, under the clearest of night skies.
Not a building of wood or stone
But a gathering of many people, strangers to each other,
Inexplicably drawn to this spot,
Travelling for many years over extraordinary continents.
None of them sisters or brothers.
All strangers facing a whole host of dangers on the way.
Some didnt make it.
The ones that did, wondered why.
The written word did not exist.
Indeed any form of language was based upon tone and facial expression.
Most had a God or Gods.
Images. Charms.
All were different.
All were true.
Thousands gathered.
Food was magically plentiful. Seeds, berries, nuts, raw meat ready to eat.
To one side of the clearing there was a rock face,
With a white and vibrant waterfall.
Water for all.
Perimeter fires kept danger at bay
On a night that was more like a moonlit day.
No one became angry, all was calm.
The throngs were bewildered,
But individually quietly strong.
Their hearts pumped as one.
The Earth was changing. Humanity was starving.
For a hundred years, hope waved goodbye,
Now hope was gone.
This church had no purpose or reason.
But neither did the people, or the people theyd left behind.
Every soul on Earth was lost.
One woman an ancient woman played tones on a hollowed branch.
Everyone eyes wide, looked skyward
As these playful tones danced around them.
And they beheld a striking starlit, moonlit sky.
So they continued to eat and imbibe bountifully.
Vocal tones and facial expressions showed shared brotherhood.
Natures night noises increased in volume
As if in appreciation
Or maybe celebration
Or apprehension
Now, I implore that you take a breather.
The coffee has travelled far and smells pleasing.
As I am weak and feeble of mind,
I will visit the yew,
To sate the thirst of my inner companion.
My speech has led me into a dry canyon canyon.
I am grateful for your patience.
My inner companion is sated,
Yet I am still myself.
I trust that others of feeble minds
Are also, still yourselves.
Be seated all and be comfortable.
I will now continue.
Thousands upon thousands were gathered.
There was laughter.
Not one of them knew why.
Maybe the abundant food and water.
The sky, that was bright anyway,
Became brighter than any day.
Suddenly a magic moment occurred.
A commanding voice from nowhere,
Imposed influential thoughts to all who were gathered.
Ideas of ten golden rules,
That would benefit all life,
Promote the growth of food bushes and plants,
Increase the numbers of huntable, edible wildlife,
Bring rainfall or sunshine when needed,
Encourage friendships and discourage hatred.
Now they somehow knew to return to their homelands.
And upon arrival,
To demonstrate to their people
How to live right and to try not to live wrong.,
And why.
Most of them succeeded but for some
It was an impossible task.
twas around this time the first languages were seeded
And primitive records on rock began.
Religion of any sort was a long way off.
But for the first time humankind
Began to look inward,
To show respect at differing levels,
And to share with each other.
Some of you here now, may think we have moved on.
For now we each have our religions,
And all of us believe we are right.
But look around you, look inside yourselves,
And look above you.
As I speak that very magical night sky that we all see,
Also cloaks wars, torture,
Poverty, greed and cruelty.
We all still carry these golden rules,
But we must all revisit them regularly,
Carry them with us at all times,
Never forget them,
Until this world can live as one race.
Some of you ask how I can know this story,
That took place before language and the written record.
I will tell you
..
I was there.
All of you
Go back to your homelands
And do your best to promote and encourage
These ten golden rules.
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