The dim rays of sunlight that filtered through the cracks in the windows of the ancient temple gently lay upon the stone slabs of the floor, creating an illusion of warmth in this age-old place filled with mysteries and memories. On the temple walls, one could see old frescoes depicting the great deeds of sages and warriors, whose stories inspired the search for one's own path.
Each drawing was a symbol of strength and resilience, reminding that the path to true wisdom is always full of trials. The atmosphere was filled with peace and wisdom, seemingly an integral part of the temple itself.
– You have successfully completed your training, and there is nothing more I can teach you. I am proud of you, – said the Teacher. His voice was quiet, yet filled with warmth and pride.
Two young men stood before the Teacher, their figures illuminated by dust motes dancing in the beams of light. But in their eyes, there was a reflection of unease – worry about the unknown, about the step into a world they had never seen before. The second young man, clenching his fists, stepped forward.
– Teacher, you are mistaken. We are not yet ready. We still have much to learn from you, – his voice carried a note of anxiety, as if he feared losing something important.
His eyes, cold and steadfast, reflected an internal struggle where his desire to be strong clashed with his fear of the unknown. A battle was waging in his soul – to remain in familiar safety or to step into the unknown to find himself. He understood that he must be a support for his brother, but even he was afraid of leaving this place, which had been their home for so long. He was resolute, prepared to stand his ground despite the fear of the future.
The first young man turned to his brother and nodded. His eyes were soft, filled with doubt and kindness. He wanted to be honest with himself and the Teacher, and his words carried a special sincerity:
– Teacher, Anfar is right.
The young man couldn't shake the feeling that their bond with the Teacher was not yet complete, that there was still much left for them to understand. His voice carried gentleness and nobility, a willingness to accept the truth, whatever it might be.
– We have not yet grasped all the wisdom of your teaching. We are not ready to leave, – his voice was slightly softer but firm. He tried to hold back his emotions, yet in them was the pain of the impending separation.
The Teacher observed them, taking a deep breath, as if his heart clenched with the realization that parting was inevitable. It seemed that with this sigh, he released a part of his care for them, like the wind that raised dry leaves outside, making them dance in an autumn whirl – a symbol of inevitable change.
– Baios, Anfar, – he began in a soft voice that resembled the rustle of those very leaves, full of ancient wisdom, holding within them the memory of ages.
– You are now adults. The time has come to embark on the Great Path that lies beyond these walls – a path where you will find trials, joys, and sorrows, but most importantly, you will find yourselves. Out there, beyond these walls, awaits a world not only full of the unknown but also of opportunities to find your true calling. By staying here, you merely keep your wisdom and talent confined. In the world that awaits you, you will find true answers.
Anfar gritted his teeth, stepping forward, his face reflecting inner tension, yet his determination and resolve were unshakable.
– But that doesn't matter to us, Teacher. The most important thing is to be with you, for your support means more to us than anything. We don't want to leave! Please, don't send us away! – his voice trembled, as if a battle of fear and determination raged within him.
Anfar, usually calm and rational, could no longer conceal his attachment to the Teacher, as if the usual iron wall of his self-control had been shattered.
Baios, sensing his brother's pain, looked at the Teacher with pleading and doubtful eyes. He was selfless and noble, and despite his fear of the unknown, he didn't want to show weakness. But now he felt that their bond with the Teacher was the most important thing.
Both brothers almost simultaneously fell to their knees, their foreheads touching the cold stone, as if seeking support in this moment of doubt and fear. They sensed that this might be the last moment when they could rely on the Teacher, and their hearts beat with despair. The sound of their fall echoed through the quiet hall, like the reverberation of their fear of the unknown. The Teacher watched this scene with sadness, and a faint smile appeared on his face, full of regret and understanding.
– Very well, – he said quietly, as if he were speaking something sacred.
– I will allow you to stay. But on one condition: you must find the meaning of life.
Baios raised his head, his eyes shimmering with doubt and confusion. He felt lost, hearing the Teacher's question, for it seemed unanswerable.
– But, Teacher… – Anfar muttered, his voice full of turmoil, – There is no meaning of life…
The Teacher, observing their confusion, gently smiled and took a step closer to be nearer to them. His eyes shone with deep wisdom, and his voice sounded like the echo of eternal truth, as if he wanted to convey something beyond words and understanding.
– Indeed. There is no predetermined meaning to life in this world. But who stops you from creating it?
Baios frowned, digesting what had been said. His eyes reflected contemplation, and he strove to comprehend what was, for now, beyond his reach.
– Create? We ourselves can give meaning to our lives? – he asked, his voice soft, yet carrying hints of understanding.
– Exactly, – the Teacher looked at them with gentle kindness.
– Only by creating your own meaning can you truly attain it. This is true wisdom. Now, go forth, find it. And when you return, we shall talk.
The old man slowly turned around, his steps echoed in the stone hall, as if each step symbolized farewell and the beginning of a new stage in their lives. For a moment, his shadow glided across the frescoes, as if the ancient heroes on the walls were witnessing this farewell scene.
A sudden gust of wind blew, extinguishing the fire in the temple, leaving the young men in semi-darkness – a symbol that their light must now come from within. Leaving the brothers alone with their newfound thoughts, he departed without looking back.
The young men remained on their knees, realizing that ahead of them lay not just a path but a trial of their souls, a trial that required not only knowledge but also courage in the search for their own meaning of life. The wind that had blown out the fire left them in semi-darkness, and in that moment, they understood – the light that guides them must now come only from within themselves.
This temple was just the beginning, and the real journey lay ahead. Baios recalled the frescoes on the walls, imagining himself as part of that ancient story, while Anfar felt that his resolve must turn into action.
Baios, with his kindness and compassion, and Anfar, with his determination and rationality, understood that now they were facing something greater than training. This was their own path – a journey toward creating a meaning that would transform them from disciples into those who would forge their own destiny.