About the Stone

In one big city there lived a Young man. His father was a smith and he familiarized his son with smith craft. In outward appearance the Young man did not differ from his peers, though he had a strange dream. In early childhood he had an odd dream about the miraculous Stone, healing sick people, prolonging life and bringing happiness. He dreamt that a magic Giant from distant stars brought the Stone and ordered people very strictly to cherish it as the apple of their eye. And so bright that dream was, such warmth was spreading from the Stone, twinkling in the boy’s hand, that he did not want to open his eyes for a long time and kept whispering: “Once I will find you!”

Years passed since then. All the time the Stone existed in the Young man’s imagination, changing its shape, color, size, but – kept being desired and unachievable. The Youth did not tell anybody about the Stone. That was his secret. He grew up, gained strength and knowledge, and was waiting when he would have an opportunity to approach his dream. Once the Young man found out about the great man of wisdom, living miles and miles away, at the other end of the unbounded country. “Only this wise man can tell me about it!” – The Young man thought. After long persuasions his parents gave their blessing to his journey.

…The Young man went over his motherland long. Difficult it was, but his child dream gave strength to him. At last he appeared before the Wise Old man. The old man seemed to pierce him with his sharp glance.

– I know why you’ve come to me. But you are not ready yet. You lived in the big city, where there were many people. It’s good. Come back to them. Learn to listen to people. In seven years I will wait you again.

The old man got up, giving to understand that the conversation was finished. Confused, the Young man was coming back. “How strange, - He thought, - The old man did not even listen to me. How did he know what had brought me to him? And what does it mean: “learn to listen to people”? What can I hear from them besides what they say?” But his heart, blocking those thoughts, was beating the loud alarm: “Seven-years! Seven-years! Seven-years!” Though, in spite of some confusion, he felt cheerfully. Something said him that the Old man knew what he talked about. The hope now turned to be the confidence. The child dream became his goal.

…The old clock was ticking on the wall; minutes were trickling down by rapid drops, gathering in days, weeks, months. One year passed, the next did, and so did the third. The Young man remembered well the Old man’s instructions. He learnt to listen to what a man told him and what he wanted to tell. He learnt to understand reasons of different words and actions of people, and there were no mystery in their intentions for him anymore. People started coming to him for a piece of advise, and the Young man, detecting every tinge of mood without mistakes, showed the way, unconsciously chosen by the man, who asked. By the end of the seventh year he started preparing for the journey.

It seemed that the passed years did not change the Old man a bit. Like at their previous meeting, he did not let the Young man say anything.

– I see that you’ve worked. But don’t think that your way is finished, it hasn’t started yet. You are not ready. Learn to listen to your own heart. Live, work. In three years you’ll come to me.

The Old man stood up and went out of the chamber, leaving the Young man in confusion and bewilderment. “Listen to your own heart? How can one listen to it, if it keeps silent?” Though, he did not want to stop. He continued his way along the country, further and further, through the cities and villages, fields and woods, rivers and mountains. In one of the lost villages he saw a funeral procession.

– Our blacksmith has died, - An old peasant uttered lifting up his eyes, full of tears, to the Young man. – I have no idea who can substitute him.

The Young man’s heart ached.

– This craft is not alien to me, father. I’ll help you at first, and then, may be, I’ll teach apprentices!

– You have a kind heart, my son! – the old men bowed from the waist. – Stay here, we won’t offend you.

“I’ve acted the way my heart prompted. – It dawned on the Young man. – So this is the way it speaks.”

And again the time got running in labors and concerns. And the Young man did not hesitate how he should act, as he acquired an invaluable advisor. When the third year turned to its decline, the Young man bowed before the peasants:

– Good bye, kind people! I have to go. Thank you for bread-and-salt, remember me kindly!

…Like to the old friend, the Young man was coming to the wise Old man. He entered the familiar chamber, bowed with respect. A sparkle of warmth flashed in the deep blue eyes under the grey brows.

– I see that you’ve approached your way, but there is one more ordeal for you. You have time to refuse – you may return home and live a common life. If you don’t refuse – you’ll become another man and your life won’t belong to you. Whether you will find the Stone, or rather, it will find you – is known only for the Stone. Will you change your mind?

– I’m ready to continue my way, - the Young man breathed out.

So, well. You can listen to people, listen to your heart. Now learn to listen to the voice of Silence. You’ll live alone, in the thick of the forest, you’ll get food yourself, yourself – maintain fire. Go, and if you don’t retreat, we will meet again in a year.

…Following the voice of his heart, the Young man chose the place for living in the wild wood on the bank of the river. He made a dugout, picked brushwood and laid grass. At nights, going to sleep under the starry sky, the Young man dreamt about the Stone that accompanied him in travelling the distant worlds, bathing in beams of the unknown suns. Animals did not fear him, coming to the drinking place, and he was not afraid of them anymore, vanishing in the harmony of the environment. He was a part of the universe, and the Infinity was ringing in him by the music of distant celestial bodies. He lost track of time and got absolutely astonished, when once he saw a familiar figure.

– You’ve undergone ordeals, my boy, - the Old man said. – Now you are ready to go to your dream. This way will be long and difficult, but you don’t need my instructions anymore – you’ve cognized everything yourself. Come back to people; serve them, as you did before, following the call of your heart and don’t lose connection with the Infinity that has been opened for you. Don’t look for the Stone intentionally – it will find you itself, if you are worthy of it. Remember about it!

The Young man touched the Old man’s hand with his lips, and brushed away an unbidden tear.

– I feel happy to start the journey, teacher. The Infinity, contained in the Stone, is calling me and attracting my heart. Thank you for everything. We’ll always be together in the spirit!

“I am glad for you, my dear brother! – The Old man thought, following the going away Young man with his eyes. – Many people came to me, but only you have found the way prepared for you by the fortune. Your ordeals are just beginning. So let your faithfulness, strength of mind and love to people not fail you! Let the blessing of the Eternity be on you! Each man has his own Stone, and the higher is the potential of spirit, the greater is the goal, by which facets of faithfulness to the chosen Way are cut. So, head the acquired way and let difficulties not make you fear!”

…Many years passed since that day. The Young man had a lot to bear, many roads to go, many people to rescue from despair and hopelessness. Once the voice of his heart brought him to the empty bank of the mountain lake lost among sharp snowy peaks. “Why am I here?” – The Young man asked himself, but did not find the answer. He turned to his heart, but it kept silent. Then the Young man closed his eyes and plunged into the Silence, uniting with the environment, becoming the mirror-like surface of water, shining mountain peaks, blue bell of bottomless sky at the same time. And here he sensed the presence of a man.

There was a stranger with thick beard in the long white clothes sitting in front of him. For some time they continued looking at each other attentively. Our hero could not read anything in those blue eyes with cheerful sparkles no matter how hard he tried. He felt incomprehensible timidity before the stranger. Their silence lasted long.

– I go around the world… - The Young man began.

– You are searching for the Stone, - the Stranger finished the phrase calmly.

The Young man’s heart gave a jump and began to thump.

– You are searching for the Stone, - the Stranger repeated. – Take it!

The Young man’s feet almost gave way under him, refusing to serve. He knelt and closed his eyes. “Thirty years I have been coming to this day, - The thought rushed past in his mind. – My God, thirty years!”

The Stone was absolutely black, heavy, and when it lay in the Young man’s hands, the mighty wave of warmth passed over his body.

– But how… - lifting up his eyes, he swallowed the end of the phrase. There was not anybody in front of him. But the Stone in his hands did not disappear. It seemed to ring, and the whole being was thrilling with delight, responding to those high currents.

“What am I to do with it? – The Young man thought, treading along the path. – I’ve dreamt about it so long, and what can I ask from him now?”…

He stayed at night in one small mountain village. There were no people in houses. All villagers, keeping silent, stood in one of the yards; grief and compassion were written on their faces.

A young guy was dying. Fellows hardly took him out of the mountain landslip and now they did not know what to do. There was not a good doctor in the village, and it was doubtful whether some doctor could help - the wounds were too serious. The Young man did not need to be told, that the wounded man was the life and soul of the small village; that losing him, people would lose more than just a neighbor, a friend and a brother. Without hesitation the Young man came to the dying man, bent over him and put the Stone at his bedside without being noticed. The miracle happened. Blush started coming back to his pale cheeks; his heavy breathing became more regular.

– He needs rest, let’s leave him! – The Young man said getting up.

In the morning villagers got amazed. The rescued himself came out to meet them. “Miracle! Miracle! – People whispered. – But where is he? Where is savior?”

The Youth, meanwhile, was already far away. He was resting after a night's journey in a small, picturesque valley near a mountain waterfall. And no one could see the tall figure of the Elder bending over him.

At that moment the Young man was far away. He was taking a rest after a night passage in the small picturesque valley near the mountain waterfall. And nobody could see the high figure of the Old man, bending over him.

“My beloved brother! – The Old man said, stroking the growing old Young man at the long grey hair. – You’ve overcome the most important ordeal in this life. Not in vain you learnt to listen – at first, to the people around, then – to yourself, and at last – to the Universe. Today you’ve heeded the voice of Distant Worlds, talking to you through the Stone, without hesitation. You’ve sacrificed your dream, the goal of your whole life that was in your hands, to rescue the stranger for the happiness of people. Resisting the great temptation to possess the Treasure of the World, you’ve rescued one of our brothers, who came to the Earth’s assistance at her call. But you’ve done a favor for all of us, as he maintained by his inner light not only this village, but many villagers around, not letting the darkness take root in the villagers’ hearts. By rescuing one man, you’ve rescued many people, not realizing this.

I’ll also tell you about the Stone. It is really a part of the distant star, and long ago it was sent to the Earth. But no mortal being can own it. You’ve seen it and held in your hands – this is the greatest honor that can be done to a man. The Stone is living its own life, and if a man listens to its will and follows it, the spirit image of the Stone leaves an impression in the man’s spirit for all following centuries and gives him mighty support. But if a man getting too proud tries to oppose its will, - this man has to do with his own vice, reflected and intensified by the mighty of the Stone to the incredible extent. One can hardly emerge the victor from such battle. And today you have not lost the Stone – you’ve acquired it forever. Let its light never leave you, but be even and ever-burning. Go, my brother, go to the people. The Earth is waiting for you and for the fire you are keeping inside!”

The Old man bowed before the sleeping Young man and disappeared. No matter how hard the Young man wanted to prolong that dream – so delightful and verisimilar, - but the new day blossomed out. New life was calling our hero to continue his endless ascending the great Ladder of Light.