The day was a warm one.
Tiny beads of perspiration dotted the young man’s forehead as he entered the library, cool and safe from the hot rays of a January sun. He saw the Great One studying- as usual, at the far end of the lavishly appointed room.
“What is the meaning of life, oh Great One?”- asked Allastar Appleton gently.
“I shall answer you in one word Cricket”- replied Wo Fat, not raising his eyes from the book laid out across his kimono-covered lap.
“It’s Allastar, oh Holy One”. He wasn’t sure if he should even consider correcting a mystic man of such position as the Exalted, seated there in the library in such a grand chair.
He decided to continue. “But, one word only?” Allastar was taken aback- ever so slightly.
“Red Dragon”- replied Wo Fat, his eyes still locked onto the pages of the book before him.
“Red Dragon? That’s the meaning of life? But Red Dragon is two words, Oh Exalted One!” How can that be? Allastar was generally perplexed.
“Depends how you spell Dragon, young snapper.” The old man scratched the side of his nose and took a deep breath. “You see, young bird, we know nothing compared to He who claims to know all?”
“You mean Stephen Harper?” Alastar was serious.
“No, little chipmunk, I speak of a secret society- not a right-leaning, tightly closed, dictatorship. That being said, this society is a secret none-the-less.
“Gosh!”- says Alastar Appelton as he thrust his hands into the deep recesses of his cloak. For Alastar wore a light cotton cloak on this day, spun from the golden fleece of the village sheep known for their unusual baaaa’s as well as golden fleece.
“But surely we know something- anything…”
“No child we do not. It’s secret and please do not expect me to answer too much”- the great one sighed.
“Whatever do you mean, Sir?”
“Little rabbit, in this huge universe of nothingness, we both mean and know and say nothing. It is in the same way that this “secret society”- Red Dragon, remains unknown as a “secret sect”. The All Holy One- Wo Fat had been generous in his response.
“Ahhh. I am beginning to see and understand. This is truly the meaning of life as we know and understand it!”
“I hardly believe so, young wheatsheaf.”
He continued.
“I understand and see much- yet I don’t care.”
“You don’t- oh most wonderful of wonders?” Alastar’s mind was swirling.
“Oh Swammy of the ‘most’ High, I care.”
“The Ordained One glanced up at Alastar Appleton and said-
“I understand that you care, such as the care a mother toad gives to her young but as the moving finger writes so does he who is a pleasure-seeker seeking to buy pleasure.”
“One most high, I understand what you say- in part.” Alastar was shaken but managed to form the words with his lips and a voice so soft, it was not unlike the ramblings of a gentle Queen of the Drag-
“Play with fire. Expect to be burnt.”
“You have tremendous vigour and youth for one so young Mr. Alastar Appelton. Now, leave me, for I must study hard to become more brilliant than the sun rising on the calm blue waters of the ocean.” The Kingfisher dropped his gaze onto the pages of his book and motioned to Alastar to be gone.
“Being Oriental is not accidental yet occidental. Now, I know the beginnings of the meaning life.”
Alalstar was satisfied. He turned, leaving the 'Bright Light' to his book of learning and walked out into the hot, afternoon sun. He paused, snatching a harmonica from his pocket. Placing it tight against his lips, he played “Jimmy cracked corn and I don’t care”- as he farted along in harmony.
It was great to be so alive and have a life so full of meaning!
