Chapter 19 Bones and Feathers

The travelers arrived at yet another kingdom. Allen the Wiseman was sent out to greet the leader, be he King, Sultan, Emperor or Pharoh. He was pondering this amazing journey. He certainly hadn't expected to meet a genie couple. The different cultures he had encountered would be amazing enough.

Perhaps if Allen hadn't been focusing inward he would have noticed the Genie sooner.

He awaited before the same "castle" Allen had been approaching.
This kingdom is very different than the others. He saw many huts. Even this "castle" is a series of huts. Perhaps these materials are easier to come by than stone. Or are these people so primitive they don't know how to build with stone?

Clearly the people are different as well. The man before the Genie wears hardly any clothing. He must be a peasant, too poor to afford better.

Allen was most relieved he had kept his thoughts to himself when the man introduced himself as Chief Fossa. Allen gathered this is another king. He called his people a tribe. Allen was uncertain if this was simply the word to use in this kingdom, or if these people are very primitive indeed.
While at first he observed the mans lack of clothing, he now observed what he did wear. He is adorned with bones, shells, jewelry, and a large hat with horns. His face is also painted in a complicated way.

Another member of Chief Fossa's tribe approaches. Allen observes this woman dresses in cloth and feathers.

The woman introduced herself as Queen Tikki.
While the woman was not dressed in silk, gold, or fine jewels, she did look finely dressed in her flowers, shells and feathers.

It turns out the Chief had a few other visitors.
"You must be from the Orient. I met your Emperor there. I am Allen, one of the wisemen of the Kingdom of Grunwald." "I am Confucius. You are Allen, that reopened our kingdom to the world."

"I simply walked in. Could not any other man do the same?"

"No, it had to be you."

"I am no great man."

"The great man is he who has not lost his child's heart." "I am not a perfect man. I try to act wisely, but I do not always succeed." Allen was thinking of the viking's wife. He still wondered if he had hurt her feelings.

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

"And does this apply to the ladies?"

"Knowledge is not knowledge until it's applied."

Chapter 18 A Man of Legend

After Lords Locksley and Moore confirmed the Wiseman's dream to be real, the Old Gypsy Queen pointed out that Allen must be the man from the legend. Allen meekly pointed out the genie had been witnessed by no one other than himself. The Gypsy woman proudly declared that genies do exist. Allen modestly said that it could have been anyone who opened the way....but more likely that no one had tried. No one accepted this idea. The more humbly he protested the more people insisted that Allen is clearly the long awaited man from the legend. Allen was thankful the legend ended there. He tried to be a good man, but was far too humble to believe himself of a purer heart than all others. He was after all simply a man like any other. The next land to explore was deeper into the desert. Allen readily volunteered to seek out the King, which he was just as readily granted. He found a great palace within the desert sands. He went there and saw a sight most unexpected. A genie woman! Allen relaxed, not realizing he had been so tense. The dream is indeed real.

He was in awe. Then he saw a most familiar face.

The blue Genie! He was doing the same as him, waiting to meet the King.

Allen could tell by the way they looked at each other that the genies are man and wife....and by the rings on their fingers.

The King emerged from his palace. A peaceful man. Like the Sultan and the Emperor, this King too had a special title - Pharoh. They sat together upon the ground and talked together. Allen sat next to the Pharoh with honor.

On Allen's right sat...or perhaps floated...the Genie's wife, who calls herself Jinni.

Across from Allen and the Pharoh sat Queen Cleopatra, a beautiful woman.

The genie completed the circle.

It turns out the genie and his wife had followed Allen out of curiosity.

The royal couple and the genie couple were also quite curious about each other.

After a time Allen politely asked if he may have water to clean off the dust from his travels.

Pharoh told him where he might bathe and get food within his palace. He suggested that if he like he may swim or soak in a hot spring within his palace walls.

Allen was amazed. The ground had been dug out below the level of the floor. Paneling...some type of tile...lined the walls, and water filled this palace swimming hole. Beyond it lay a smaller water hole. When Allen got closer he felt the heat from the water. The palace had been built over a hot spring.

Allen took a quick glance around, then slipped off his robe.

Allen slipped into the water, soaking off the dirt and smell from his travels.

After bathing, Allen headed toward the dining hall. He found the palace to be very fine. He found courtyards with flowers.

Allen found eleaborate paintings upon the palace walls.

Allen found the dining hall to be very fine indeed.

He was served a fine meal.

After dinner Allen peeked at the kitchen as he passed by. It was simple, but somehow ornate.

Allen returned to one of the courtyards.

He was most pleased to discover the Pharoh and the Sultan have the bubble blowers in common.

Allen happily blew bubbles into the evening.

Chapter 17 Two Wise Men

Lord Robert had heard Allen's tale. Word travels fast aboard a ship. He had heard how Allen believed it a dream. He heard how their Gypsy Queen had told there was a Gypsy legend much like the Emperor's. He heard how she was most convinced that the henna faced gypsy is the descendant of the girl in the story. He had heard how her eyes glittered as she said so. He had heard how Allen had protested, speaking of the Genie the color of a summer sky. He had heard how Old Joseph had said to Allen "A wise man must keep an open mind." Then he had heard how some nobleman by the name of Scott Moore had already headed for the Orient to seek the wise men of that kingdom. Blast! I would like to have been the first to go. I'll have to hurry now, lest I miss out on more. Lord Robert took a turn that brought him past the gypsy camp as he'd been told. Indeed, the vegetation is better here. He continued past the camp. The desert did end shortly after the gypsy camp, and he could see a red gate, and the Great Wall beyond it. Once past this, Lord Robert studied what he could see. Way up on a hill there was a great palace. Where would this man keep his wise men? Likely they'd be close by. There was but one other building upon the hill, but it looked more suited to a nobleman. Perhaps closer to the water? Lord Robert felt at home as he passed through woods and meadows. At last he arrived at what he hoped would be the home of the wise men. The gardens were lush, and the house fine.

He was greeted by a man who brought him to a table where Lord Scott Moore was already seated. The man served him food.

Lord Scott wasted no time with introductions. He shared what he had learned with Lord Robert as quickly and discreetly as he could. "There are 2 men living here. They are both wise men. There are no servants here. The one who answers the door and serves the food is called Confucius. He seems to do a lot, if not all, the work around here. He doesn't speak much, but everything he says is wise beyond his years."

Lord Robert thought perhaps servitude is part of the wise man's philosophy. "The other one is called Buddha. He is very large and wears little clothes. He seems to be almost like a God to these people." "Is Confucius his follower?" "From what I can tell the people see them as equals. Confucius is not commanded by Buddha, he just works in silence."

Lord Robert glanced at Confucius. The man indeed had worked steadily as his guests ate, cleaning the kitchen. It seemed different than the way a servant would work. It was if he found the duty sacred. "They seem to be opposites. While Confusions is mostly quiet, Buddha is very social. Confucius does his work diligently, Buddha flirts diligently." "Are they equals in wisdom?" "I suppose it depends on the listener."

"What do you mean?"

"When Buddha was very young, he said that the more often the Emperor...enjoys a woman...the more the Orient will prosper. Every Emperor since has had concubines and the kingdom has clearly prospered...." "And Confucius?"

Confucius took that moment to join them for dinner. Lord Robert wasn't sure if he heard the last part of the conversation. "I thank you for your warm hospitality. My friend and I were just discussing how you and Buddha are the kingdom's wisest men, but seem to be opposites."

Confucius says, "When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inward and examine ourselves."

"While I haven't met the man, I think I like your sort of wisdom better."

Confucius says, "Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart." Lord Robert could see a nearly naked man at the edge of the room who could only be Buddha. Lord Scott thanked the men for the meal and told Robert he would meet him back at the ship.

Blast! Robert decided to do as Confucius and eat in a polite silence. He then quietly thanked Confucius for the meal and left.

Buddha followed him out. Robert wondered if he had overheard anything that might have offended him.

"Thank you very much for the..." For what? For the food you neither served or ate with us? For not approaching me before now? For not kicking us out? For eating like a pig in the other room and not offering us seconds? "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Your welcome. Oh, and nice tights." Buddha sneered.

"Thank you. Nice loincloth." This is a wise man equal to Confucius?

The 2 stared each other down a moment before turning away.

Lord Robert was not impressed with Buddha.

There was something most disturbing about Buddha.

Robert felt better as he left the yard.