This Too Shall Pass

Today during a walk after a tiring job at the lab, I sat down in one of the pavements at Louisville’s citadel of learning. The cool provided by the shady trees that played host to both birds and timid squirrels amused my already thoughtful heart and in no time I fell into a deep reverie. My thoughts pierced into time past, of my growing up days in Nigeria and the stories my folks shared. The hopes, dreams and aspirations, the woes, displeasure and despair we all faced.

I came to terms with reality when something crawled over my feet and shook me to consciousness while  my thoughts was dining with the story of the emperor that says “this too shall pass”. 

It fits, I yelled at myself as I finally came to reality, for this too has just passed.

I shall share some of the pains and gains many of us went through from the days past and how some of us overcame through the stories that we carried on our chest from our parents, elders and friends. I will not be fulfilled if I fail to share the story of the emperor as the beginning and anchor of this series.    

Once an Emperor called upon all of his wise men and asked them,” Is there any magical saying

Which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place in every time in every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all these questions which can help me when none of you is available to advise me, the emperor quipped.   

 All the Emperor’s advisers were baffled by the question. They all agreed on one solution on the suggestion of a learned scholar who gave them a note to be given to the Emperor.

And the note was to be opened whenever the Emperor was in trouble.

Just a few days after, he was attacked by the neighboring country. The Emperor and his army fought bravely but were still losing the battle and the Emperor was trying to run away on his mount. The enemies were following him getting closer and closer. Suddenly the Emperor found himself standing at the end of the road – that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished…and he could not return because it was a small road…the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The Emperor became restless. There seemed to be no way. Then he remembered the note given to him by his loyal advisers and he opened it.

It read “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”

The Emperor read it, again and again. Suddenly something struck him- Yes! This too will pass.

Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my rule. I was the mightiest of all the Emperors. Yet today, the empire and all its pleasures have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. Calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty.

The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were nowhere near him.

The Emperor was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on Emperor from every house, from every corner. For a moment the Emperor said to himself,” I am one of the bravest and greatest Emperors. It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him. At that moment something clicked his mind and he opened the note and read it again: “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”.

He became silent. His face went through a total change from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness. 

I don't know what you are thinking now or what you are going through...bad or good, it too shall pass. 

Watch out for part 2.