Behind the Curtain

“We would rather that you did not touch that”, the softly spoken voice pressed under their teeth.


Goober stepped back. He had opened the lid on a carved sandalwood box and was just about to lift the golden egg from it when a hand firmly pressed down on his.


“This was a memento from many centuries ago … brought to us by the great Jak - it was a gift from the Heavens legend has it,” the Sage said pointing to the sky, annoyingly, as if Goober thought the Heavens were up, and not lateral.

Goober had wanted to see how heavy this egg was, and to rattle it, to find if anything was inside it at all. It might have been one of those magic eggs that had another egg concealed inside. He sighed. When Puck had suggested a get-a-way he had pictured a sauna day spa and detox - not this silent retreat in the snowy mountains.





“Can I look behind that curtain?” he asked, behaving like a bored child.



“No, no you cannot go behind that curtain”, the Sensei said firmly. “That leads to a place only the initiates can enter … ”




“Ordinary?” Now Goober was offended - and it took a lot to offend the gentle giant.



“Let me put it another way: It is a private latrine. Ignore the silk curtains - you really do not want to see what is on the other side.”



Oh great - thought Goober to himself, another let down. He looked sideways at Puck who was speaking with a a lay monk holding a tray of candles.



“What time is dinner?” he asked.



“We have had already enjoyed our one meal of the day but there are a few pamphlets outside on the porch table displaying delivered goods that are available and local.”



Puck called out from behind him cheerfully “Uber Goober?”




.-Gabriel Brunsdon, Finding Self - Second Guesses- Azlander Series