Grinning

Dangerous Micro Fiction?

Rumour says there is a wise old man living in the mountains beyond the clouds where wisdom is not for sale.

His only possession - a silver beard reaching his knees, acting as a bridge from mind to heart.

He is said to have left his home at an early age to journey - solitude as his best friend.

People speak of the old man surpassing one hundred years old. They tell that he has lived in the mountains forever thriving only on the raw air he breathes, building relationships with the birds, the mountain lions, the trees and the rocks. Some even say they have seen him converse with the sky.

Searching, I found him, I was expecting answers for my questions were many. 

For years after our first meeting I have travelled the arduous dirt passage to where he intermingles naturally with the earthen surrounds - high in the mountains beyond the clouds.

Whenever I visit he will make us his own 'Special Tea', tasting much like the visions gifted before me.

Few words ever pass between him and I. 

One day I realised he held within him the entire universe - causing him to grin every so often.

I bathed in the knowledge he offered and without words he taught me to live simply and simply live. Only then would I understand the universe has been within me all along - as I have been with it - never once separated and never cut away from it's unending and infinite love.

Every so often I find myself grinning now at the strangest of times at the simplicity of it all.

Author's Note

This was originally a poem - I thought I would see how it looked in different form for the Dangerous Micro Fiction. Thoughts always appreciated :)

Reviews

[Daniel Towers]

Now I know this. I believe it. I have searched for it since I was only a boy. The universe outside is the universe within, one and the same. I sense you're a mystic in mind and heart and this little universal expression of truth is a rare jewel.

[KWP]

thanks for reading Daniel - yeah mystic indeed as she walks her merry way along her chosen path xxx

[Daniel Towers]

Lucky you've finally stumbled onto yours. Still walking through the murky woods listening for those humming engines that might tell me it's out there but at least I know the direction it's going. I'll keep chopping away at the vines until I see it rolled out before me. Still, reading little pieces of magic like this one give me hope. :-)

[KWP]

well at least you know it's there - most people don't even allow themselves that xxx

[Daniel Towers]

At least. ;-)

[Lizzie Mitchell]

this took me on a journey
which I enjoyed every second of

[PloughBoy]

A very profound bit of micro flash fiction, KWP, and I loved the setting in which you've chosen to present it. Seems the silver-bearded wise man had no need to say anything verbally, as his actions spoke to your protagonist's soul so much more than mere words or vocalizations could ever do.

In reality, that's quite often the truth, hence the quote, "Actions speak louder than words."

Well done, and excellent and uplifting story. ~PloughBoy

[KWP]

Hey There and thanks Mr P ... I am so happy you enjoyed - you are giving me strength to return to fixing my damn novel !!!! Arggghhhhhhhhhhhh !!! xx

[PloughBoy]

It was my pleasure. :}

[RileyRedding]

How poetically enigmatic you've been with writing this piece. I"m left wanting more from the labyrinthine narrative you've concocted, but I suppose that's a telltale sign of an intriguing writer. If this is you stepping outside your comfort zone. Then please keep on stepping.

[KWP]

That's a very inspiring set of words - thanks so much xx

[Rene Salinas]

Ok now I'm slightly taken back in a good way though. Because of course that within the context and boundaries of the group's explanation this would fall on the profound side of it, and how! So much so I will tread carefully. As a narrative is intriguing. First the image that wisdom might be found by removing oneself. That in itself already quite the thought. The image of leaving his home for me even more intriguing as it couold have been just a journey to find his home. So far removed he has become known and a subject of search. The bit which caught might attention is that after all that he induces "Live simply and simply live".

Oh so intriguing. a world of diffiuculties and challenges a million things to know to read to revel upon as the knowledge of the stars themselves will be revealed to those who study hard enough yet:

Ahehia ote Hes; eret Hes ote Ahehia

Sanskrit has never been so enigmatic.

A labyrinth

Thankyou

[KWP]

Cheers for reading boss xx

[Einstein Noodle]

your brand of wisdom is so inspiring .. i hope you have time to check this wonderful song ;)
http://youtu.be/WA9qrNnZzAA
E.

[Stonz P.]

Two things that I absolutely loved were the old man living in the mountains... and the analogy that we contain the universe within us as well as the universe containing us... You have a spiritual aspect to your pieces which I like a lot.
The imagery, the message and the structuring is blending all too well for the Micro Fiction thing. I wish I could write short sentences for a change :/
Thanks for sharing :)

[KWP]

:) and thanks for reading - glad you liked it - twas like stepping out of my own self imposed comfort zone ..

[Jack Wolfe]

Okay, I have read this twice, I had two different visions run through my head: one the explorer that reaches the top of the peak is told you can ask one question; exhausted he said, “Do you have water?” yep, the monk hands it over and the explore replenished prepares his question, but when asked, he gains no response . . . he asked for water, supplementing nourishment of the body rather than mind or spirit. The second vision is the explorer who is determined, reaches said peak, he ask his question, gets his answer, sets out on a quest of discovery, only to come to the realization the journey itself was the answer, living life.

[KWP]

I am happy with either of those interpretations ...thanks Mr Wolfe x