IN SEARCH OF THE BUTTERFLY

Editor's note:
This is a short story composed by me a few years ago. It dealt with
a set of events occuring at the time. But I believe it remains relevant
and applicable today.

In Search of the Butterfly
A Short Account of a Young Man’s Quest

1.

The young man laid prostrate on the dry, stony bank of the flowing river, his eyes glistening from the steady tears that trickled down his sad and convoluted face. This was indeed a low moment in his short and as yet, unfulfilled life. He had already passed one and one half score in years and had nothing tangible to show, except, an Apartment of his own, two Dogs and a new car. His faith was surely under siege but he remained steadfast in his resolve. Over and over he repeated the battle cry which had served to sustain the negro slaves in their moments of despair;

“I shall overcome, some day, some day.”

Day by day, he had faced slings and barbs from his closest family. His mother, whom he dearly loved, had recently adopted the “poor-me-one” approach. Whenever he was present, she will immediately become morose, depressed and withdrawn, go directly to her bed clutching her bible and repeat over and over;

“Why me Oh Lord! Why me?”
What have I done to deserve this punishment?”

The father, not to be outdone, displayed, in no uncertain manner, his absolute contempt and disappointment. In his classic, bone-chilling demeanor, he had adopted a degree of shearing sarcasm that rivaled the true masters. As soon as the young man appeared, he would immediately transform his attitude in such a manner as to leave no doubt about his displeasure. He compounded this unbearable agony by a total denial of even the slightest acknowledgement of the yeoman effort delivered by the young man. Although he received constant congratulations from all his peers for the conduct of the business, he never ever acknowledged the contributions of his son. He would rather give praise to his paid employees, often acknowledging Irene, Jaime or even Dwight, showering unsolicited praise upon them.

All of this was done as part of an elaborate scheme, planned and developed by his wife, to stimulate this young man “to action.” She was in fact very experienced in this activity; not only as a result of her peculiar genetic constitution, but also from her past experience in this matter. As a seventeen year old, she successfully planned, developed, initiated and implemented a coup on her unsuspecting husband-to-be, to the extent that he was transformed overnight into a state of “stupor”. Even to this day he remains “mesmerized” in her presence.

2.

One day, as the young man sought refuge on the bank of the river, there came upon him a “visitation”. Instantly he recognized the true import of this visit as he recalled the words of the wise old man, whom he knew only as “Papa Da” and frequently visited to seek comfort and counsel. The old man would provide support, advice and encouragement, and would always remind him that he must prepare himself for the “visitation”. When pressed, he would always add;

“You will know when it comes by the sound of the wind.

Just listen for the sound”.

The memory of this day is indelibly etched in the depth of his soul and remains as vivid now, as he replays the events in his mind’s eye, as they did at the fateful moment of occurrence. No doubt they will continue to remain as crisp, in perpetuity, passing on from generation to generation. He had drifted into a self induced hypnotic state in the manner taught to him by Papa Da, and as he entered the “place of secure enchantment”, he became aware of a soothing, gentle breeze blowing across his face. It was so gentle yet awesome, so quiet yet as thunderous as a booming cannon, so sweet, yet as overpowering as the finest perfume.
With the breeze, he became aware of a sound, quite unlike anything he had heard before. Although he knew better, it felt as if he was at The "Royal Vic” listening to the greatest rendition ever, of “Handel’s Messiah” by the London Symphony Orchestra, or at the “Royal Albert Hall” enjoying the solo renditions of Joan Baez at her very best. His heart was racing, trying desperately to keep up with his screaming mind, but never quite catching up. His body felt as if he was deep inside an active “Mt. Kilimanjaro”, but he knew this was not so, for he was cool to touch. He knew instinctively that this was indeed the “visitation” promised by Papa Da. He also knew that the time was at hand and that, ready or not, his life was about to undergo a significant metamorphosis.

3.

The moment had indeed arrived. The culmination of a long and tortuous journey that took him to the far corners of the world, crossing continents, time zones, oceans and islands. Meeting and exploring peoples, cultures, attitudes and appearances. Studying genetics and genealogy, likes and dislikes, family and non-family, and yet finding nothing but disappointment and his mother’s frustration. This was more than he could handle. But for the steadfast support of Papa Da, he surely would have succumbed to the machinations of his mother and settled down with a “nice family girl.”

For one fleeting instant, he was overcome by the aura of the most beautiful butterfly he had experienced. It fluttered gently and gracefully around his face and as it did so, he was aware of an indescribable sensation of sheer joy and surrender. He recalled it was not unlike the feelings he experienced when he opened the bottle of pure, extra distilled, Vintage Virgin Olive Oil extracted from the first crop of olives from the sacred Olive Groves situated at the foothills of Mount Olive in the ancient hills of Lebanon, given as a special gift to his father. Suddenly, he was overcome with the desire to search out this butterfly, to gently caress its beauty and take her home to meet his mother.

He woke up with a start, he must find the butterfly, but except for the Olive Grove, he had no idea of how to begin. He thought that he may have to visit Lebanon and search the sacred groves. But that was not easy to do and there was no guaranty of success. The vision consumed his every moment. He was driven to solve this dilemma.

4.

His parents were not helpful. His father questioned whether he was on “crack”. His mother said that she would speak to Fr. Mullen who knew everything and also advised him to go to confession and to daily morning mass.
Papa Da on the other hand, was not surprised. In fact he was expecting this news, for had he not spoken to him in the past and advised him to listen for the “sound”. Taking hold of the young man’s hands, the old man guided him to a special garden with a gentle stream and a pond filled with the most beautiful Koi fish he had ever seen. He closed his eyes, paused for a brief moment and then spoke thus:

“Young man, you must never forget that;
The most exquisite Flower always grows in your own garden.
The most beautiful Rainbow is seen from your porch.
The Sun is strongest and the Moon is brightest from your window.
Your Heart’s desire is always present at your finger tips.
Seek out your wishes and they will find you.
Open your heart to Life around you,
and you will find the Life is within you.”

And so it came to pass, armed with this advice, the young man moved resolutely forward to search out his destiny.

Upon hearing this, his mother miraculously recovered and began to shower him with love and attention. Instead of the bible, she brought out her I-Pod and resumed listening to her old favorites, Barbara Streisand, Elton John and John Lennon. The father, not to be undone, immediately perked up, and holding the latest photo of his son wearing a “speedo” outfit, did not hesitate to brag to all, about his one and only. He even went so far as to admonish his sons-in-law to be more like him.
……..Life was indeed getting good again.

5.

It did not take long to happen, nor was it a chance encounter. For It was written in the ancient scrolls of life and just required the correct juxtaposition of events to come to pass.
……..And so it did one warm and beautiful August day!

On that fateful day he suddenly became aware of a strange feeling within him. He remembers it well. It was a hot, still summer’s day, yet he felt a cool breeze blowing over him. There was not a sound to be heard, yet he was sure that he experienced the most beautiful music he had ever heard. He looked around to identify the source. There was no one of consequence. His sister, still smoking, his two nieces and a “friend”, were busy in the kitchen, baking a Coconut Pie.

He had seen her many times before but never noticed her. But today something was different. He is still uncertain whether it was the smile, or her large black eyes, or the way she carried herself. Or maybe it was the confluence of all these things coming together in concert with destiny and the hands of fate. Whatever the reasons, the result was an almighty explosion of joy and contentment. It was indeed reminiscent of the description by Khalil Gibran of his first love, when;

“The heavens opened and his soul soared in joyous recognition of God’s pleasure”

.…. At long last, he knew he was in love!

As you would expect, the reciprocation was instantaneous, and it is said, that Cupid collapsed with exhaustion from all the arrows that flew back and forth.

The word of this happening spread far and wide, and except for those homes where maiden hopefuls had waited in silent anticipation, there was an explosion of joy and celebration.
Her parents were justifiably happy, not only because of the boy and his family, but also because they had finally got rid of the last child and can now plan their “second honeymoon”.
His mother was no less overjoyed, for the girl possessed all the attributes to guaranty her being a good mother and wife. And his father is now something to behold, as he proudly struts and frets, cigarette in hand, feathers ruffled and voice booming;
……. “Heidi has nothing on me now!”

6.

And tonight the story unfurls further as this momentous year closes. These children of destiny are beginning their journey along the true and tested path that many others have gone before. Their success or failure will depend not only on the love they feel for each other, but equally upon the depth of commitment and trust they are willing to offer upon the altar of marriage. For it is written:

“Much is expected, but for those who succeed, the rewards are indescribable.”

Also, let us not forget that they will always have the wisdom of Papa Da to guide them in times of concern, and recall his words of assurance;

“He who loves all, deserves all”.

.........The Butterfly Has Indeed Landed!