Episode 4: Learning to Listen

Back at Sunflower Valley, everyone was exhausted. Pigdor and Sheepvin retired to their yard. At the farmhouse, Mandy lit a candle. She then proceeded to carry a basin of Aletheian water and washed the traveller's wounded hand. It produced such a cool sensation, easing the traveller's forgotten pain. Mandy then headed for the topmost cabinet on her kitchen shelf and reached for a small bottle. She brought it out and opened the vial before him. Immediately, the room was flooded with an awesome fragrance of fond memories and sunshine. The scent settled into a waft of myrrh, aloes and cassia. It was easy to lose oneself amidst that fragrance.. almost as if it brought you to a different place and time. Before the traveller could react to yet another wonderful enigma, Mandy poured a few drops of its golden living liquid upon his wounds and immediately they were restored; his skin became like that of a young child, without blemish.

"This is the Balm of Gilead, made by the King himself. It carries His tears and His joy... the very essence of who He is. And anything that this oil touches will be restored full because it carries the sureness of the King's desires and goodness within it." explained Mandy

The traveller now noticed that the King of Aletheia was always at the centre of every wonderful mystery. He pondered to himself what the King might then have in store for him. He wondered again what He was like. His eyes returned to the exquisite bottle.

"There is none like it in all of Aletheia. Many who have heard about the balm and its transcendent properties would come to Aletheia to seek it but they would not go to the King or seek Him because they are afraid of Him... and their search for the balm would be in vain... and many return fruitless."

"Why should anyone be afraid of the King?" the traveller asked puzzled. Until then, he had not heard anyone mention such a thing of Him.


"Because He shows you who you truly are" said Mandy. "And many are afraid because their lives are full of darkness. They cannot stand in the Palace of Light. Their hearts that have waxen fat and greedy covet to make a good profit of the balm. But it is so precious that no one can put a price on it. The King only gives it to His trusted servants... and to those whose hearts are pure when they search for it."

The traveller examined himself, wondering if he had any cause to be afraid.

Sensing his thoughts, Mandy assured him, "Do not worry. He calls to you and you must meet Him."

"You must be one of the king's trusted servants.." began the traveller. "... for Him to trust you with such a priceless treasure."

Knowing where he was going, Mandy straightened up and smiled. "I have not forgotten my promise. I will tell you my story."

The traveller inclined his ears and drew nearer.

"I spent many years growing up in the palace" she began. "I spent my days in the King's court serving Him together with the rest of the maidens and courtiers. We were all very close. I also used to train under the New Wine Warrior's Guild within the palace grounds. I really enjoyed it there... the King's delightful presence, His company as well as the fellowship of all our friends..."

The traveller swallowed his saliva and drew closer.


"Then one day, we were preparing to celebrate the Festival of the Spring Rains. There was a rumour in the palace that some of us in the New Wine Warrior's Guild would get promoted and get commissioned with assignments from the King. We were very excited as each of us looked forward to serving the King in a new way. Perhaps He was going to send me to a faraway land, at the head of caravans laden with gold and fragrant spices. Or perhaps He would have had me on board one of his cedar galleons, bearing the Aletheian crest upon realms across the sea. I didn't know what I was in for. I approached the day with much anticipation, yet also much ignorance..."

"The Festival day came and we were summoned into court. Sure enough, the King had promotions and assignments for us but it wasn't like what we had expected. Honestly, i didn't expect mine to be so... ordinary. When it was my turn, the King commissioned me to take care of some animals here at Sunflower Valley and to care for passing travellers and guide them in their quest for the City of Truth."

"I guess it was difficult for you to move out here in the countryside after having been so used to life in the palace" added the traveller.

"I loved the King and i had pledged not just my allegiance to Him... but also my life in service. I didn't even think twice about whether to accept that commission" said Mandy with fervent resolution. "But I have been here many years and life here is not a dance in the breeze. I often get very lonely with only the animals as my companions. Through it all, i learned to love them. Yet, I long to see the King again in His palace. I also long to fellowship with my friends there again. And when travellers do come, they stay only a short while... and though i know Him who I serve, there is a part of me that longs to see even the end of their journey.. what is eventually made of them. Sometimes, i wonder whether they actually reach the City of Truth or whether they wander off or become eventual prey to the wolves and lords of Carnalin..." She gazed out the window into the darkness of the evening sky, far beyond the nearby mountain range.

Tears were welling up her eyes. The traveller perceived her weariness, even amidst her strong disposition. And it was all new to him to see Mandy become so... human.

"I've been tempted to leave this place, even seek the King to send me to another outpost. Yet, I remember His face and recall His charge to me on that very day I recieved my commission. He said it with such love, such trust and such belief in me and in the task at hand. And I knew then from His heart of hearts it was a task of great importance. His voice still resonates within, even as fresh as it does now and its strength beckons to me, imbuing me with the same virtue. As I toiled in the fields, there would be times when i would feel the sun's heat beating down upon my back, I would look up, fully expecting a harsh countenance... But instead, i would see His smile beaming upon me and i know that He is with me through it all. I know my purpose full well. I know that His love carries me through and each day, and i would take a moment to hear Him and speak with Him. Though He may seem far, He and I are separated by no distance."

The glow on her face silenced the dim candle light.

"I and the King are one."

The deep gaze of her fiery eyes can be met with no response. The traveller felt so dim upon the profound greatness of such an utterance. It seems to him that the more he sought for answers, the greater the mysteries became. He reasoned to himself that he would ask no more for it was beyond what he could bear. At least perhaps until some rest coupled with fresh Aletheian dew would permit him greater understanding. He gave a polite smile, excused himself and retired for the night. Yet silently as he laid on his bed by the window, gazing at the tapestry of silver stars dancing upon the depths of the clear Aletheian sky, he could not help but ponder her story. A gentle breeze whispered into his bedroom. He knew that there was more to be said between the both of them.

The next morning, Mandy received him with freshly baked bread and wild silver berries, native only to Aletheia. "Eat your fill" she smiled. "Today you must resume your journey."

It was all too fast for the traveller. Certainly each day had enough mysteries of its own and he was just getting more acquainted with Farmer Mandy and the other characters at Sunflower Valley. Farmer Mandy brought him outside where Sheepvin greeted him.

"Good morning!" he cheered as he grinned sheepishly from ear to ear. Though he belonged to a generation of time past, he was certainly not boring. If he were indeed that old, he sure did not behave it. There was something light and contagious about his presence. There was something that made his company so... addictive.

"I want you to teach him" said Mandy.

Sheepvin replied with a wink, which by the way was hardly perceptible, considering how fine his eyes were. In full confidence, Mandy retreated back to the house. Apparently, Pigdor took some extra time to sleep that morning so she wasn't present with the company. Sheepvin addressed the traveller. "In your journey, one of the things that is of the foremost importance is for you to see and hear clearly. You need to perceive and to listen, not just with your eyes and ears but also your heart."

The traveller replied confidently "But I do see and I do hear. And if i do need any help, I'd just drink some water." His smugness was evident and though he valued Sheepvin's delightful company, the idea of an old talking sheep training him did not really sit well with him.

This, Sheepvin knew very well. So he looked to a point in the far distance. "Now what do you see?"

The traveller looked at the same direction and saw nothing.

Sheepvin smiled. The traveller drank some water from the nearby brook and looked. Still he saw nothing.

Sheepvin's smile grew to a smirk. "There you go young lad. Lesson 1... the water will only work if your heart is right. Now lose some of that attitude young man and concentrate."

The traveller was embarrassed. Having stood corrected, he paused for a while to acknowledge his moment of folly, determined to transcend it. He remembered Sheepvin's steadfast character and Pigdor's valiance during the battle the day before amidst the woven quilt of other intricate mysteries he had encountered thus far and stood humbled.

"Now drrriinnkkk" instructed Sheepvin, not different from the way Mandy would have said it. He drank and gazed towards the point where Sheepvin found his bearing. As the inconspicuous fog cleared from his eyes, he became aware of a tall mountain in the distance. He squinted his eyes to examine if he was actually seeing things. As he looked again, he became so acquainted with the mountain's prominence so much so that he could hardly believe that anyone could miss it, let alone him!

Sheepvin was taking in the moment with silent amusement.

"What is that?"

"That is Watchman's Peak" said Sheepvin. "It lies on the border of Aletheia and Carnalin."

Though far, the mountain exuded its presence. Sheepvin moved on and the traveller followed. Taking one last glance at the mountain, his eyes caught a sight of a bird scaling the horizon in the far distance. As he proceeded, however, his mind still dwelt on the fact that Sheepvin's almond eyes could see so far! And that plus the fact that he was old... it was certainly a puzzle to the young traveller, yet another mystery...

They came to the brook beside the Way. Sheepvin knelt by the waters and instructed the traveller to do the same. "Do you hear it?... The song of the stream..."

The traveller scooped up some water and drank. He listened quietly and then he heard the still small voice.

"Heed it" said the sheep. "Everything in Aletheia speaks and everything will point you to the King... Even more so the river. The source of the river is His throne itself, right within the Palace of Light. If you listen, the King can speak directly to you and the river will carry His voice through the waters. Everything speaks and you must always listen, but do not follow any voice that would lead you from the Way."

The traveller remained silent, listening to his words of wisdom. He was also becoming more aware of the song of the stream and in his heart, the stream seemed to beckon towards the farmhouse... its song reaching towards Mandy. Sheepvin knew this and followed the flow. Both of them gazed back at the farmhouse where they could see Mandy's silhouette seated by the window. "What do you see?" asked Sheepvin.

The traveller's eyes shot straight at Mandy and in that eternal instant, he became aware of her hidden life and the things she treasured in her heart. And then those beautiful yet sad eyes became clear to him. "You weren't the only one, were you?" he asked the sheep.

Seeing the same thing, he explained. "Yes, Mandy's heart is torn. There were many sheep that were taken by the wolves and there were not many that Mandy got back."

The traveller continued, "Yes but it wasn't her fault. Many of the other sheep chose to leave for Carnalin. And there was nothing she could do to win them back. Now her heart weeps for them."

"You are not wrong, young lad." said Sheepvin with an unusual sombre air. "There were fowl winds from Carnalin that enticed them and deceived them... winds that promised a more exciting, adventurous, sensual life. Sadly, many loved Carnalin more than Aletheia... more than the King."

A teardrop flowed from the traveller's cheeks and became one with the river.

"Go on" said the sheep, knowing the river moved him. "You have a message for her."

He stooped down and he drank and he drank and he drank until all his belly was full of the water, the very same water that carried the words of the King. And a boldness came over him, not like his earlier display of vain confidence. He felt that he was alive, as if the life and the words of the King Himself were flowing through him, and now the song of the river itself was bubbling from deep within his belly. And then he knew the words of life searched for an outlet. Ready, he walked into the farmhouse, Sheepvin observing closely behind. Mandy's smile greeted him.

Then it flowed. "Though the sorrow may last for the night but My joy comes with the morning. Don't despise yourself. Don't despise the day of small beginnings. Though you may not see the work of your hands in full bloom, yet your labour has not been in vain. One day, you shall yet see the Valiant Ones. Be strong, noble one. I have seen your deeds and have not forgotten you and great shall be your reward."

"Thank you for being faithful with the work to which I have called you. Though it may be simple, you have come to know that there is glory in small and simple things... if you are willing to listen and honour them. Do not let your soul be wearied by the foul songs of the filthy winds that mock you in the night. Do not grieve and condemn yourself for that which was lost for I am Sovereign and I can work despite and even through their disobedience that they may again be found in the City of Truth."

"Yes, Master" she replied and bowed in silence, submitting herself to what was spoken. By the time the traveller was done, there were tears streaming down her cheeks. He knew those words from the river brought not mere relief but healing. They were not his words but that of the King Himself, for the traveller knew that he possessed neither such eloquence nor authority nor understanding. By now, he was learning to flow with the intricacies of the land. It was not like as if he was traversing through it as much as it seemed to be dancing with him.

Mandy straightened herself and smiled. This time, the glow of her countenance was far greater than before. Her eyes exuded a light from deep within and deep within, she knew she had rest. She looked at the traveller straight in the eyes. "Thank you. Your time here is complete."

The Sojourner resounded the same in his heart. Time passed by very quickly and he had really enjoyed himself at Sunflower Valley, getting acquainted with its residents and the manifold mysteries of the land. A part of him wanted to stay but the unfolding of the day and of his own mystery beckoned to him. "The King awaits" he whispered to himself.

It was midday. By now, Pigdor was somewhat awake and she had joined the rest in preparing the traveller to set off again. Mandy equipped him with a wooden rod that would prove useful. She also packed him a haversack laden with some bread and biscuits that would supply him for a while. He also kept with him the slingshot Mandy gave him earlier just in case he should encounter the wolves again. They then said their goodbyes even as the traveller encouraged Mandy one final time to continue being faithful in keeping charge of her fold. Having said goodbye to the other animals in the farm, he started on the westward way again. He was overtaken by their final well-wishes:

"Never depart from the Way!" reminded Mandy.

"Take care, lad!" said Sheepvin

"Next time you drop by, bring along some cheese!" hollered Pigdor.

He turned and bade them a final wave. Then he saw the weathered house, rugged yet strong and stable... and he finally understood its message; the story of the life of her who dwelt within, leaning on unseen pillars of faith upon the One who called her. He traversed past by the sunflower meadows which greeted him. Their faces fixed upon the sun, they, like him awaited an unveiling of a new mystery. The light that they exuded from within, which even casted a shadow on the other side of the surrounding mountains told of one whose hope and gaze was in the King... who knew how to see and listen, who were bearers of that same light and virtue and who knew how to stand strong against formidable giants. Though the flowers were small, they were not defeated. Such was the glory of small things. And such was the mystery of Sunflower Valley.

The traveller looked above, the sun travelling westwards towards the same city. It ran with him, even as the King called him ever-onwards on his journey.