Fear and Aggression
Page 5
With the table set to perfection and the individuals of the family cleaned and nicely dressed, Roloff Palador offered the blessing on the food. With his heart full of gratitude, humility, and joy, he offered a short, yet eloquent prayer; then the family began to divvy up their feast.
Aspiria took her portions first, as Caryell, not quite patiently, waited. He, and then Roloff filled their plates, and the family ate. Caryell wanted to thank his mother for the feast, and express how good everything was, but was unable to, as at the moment as he was not capable of stopping himself from filling his mouth with bite after bite. Aspiria, who had had a more relaxing and quiet day, was quite ready for dinner conversation, but politely acquiesced for a few minutes, as she could see that any attempt would, at this point, be fraught with failure.
Her patience lasted only a few minutes, and then she asked Caryell, “Are you enjoying the dinner?”
Realizing his mild rudeness, and recognizing that his mouth was still full, he looked up at his mother with his bright beaming eyes. What a strange concept it is, that an anatomical entity, such as a mouth, could be used for two such differing functions: eating and speaking. Be that as it may, when his mouth was clear he said, “Yes, Mother…it is wonderful, thank you very much.” And with that, his eyes returned to his plate and he began to work on his unfinished business.
Aspiria smiled slightly and glanced over at Roloff, who, incidentally, had his mouth full at the moment, as well. He, being more experienced and clever as to the subtleties of unspoken communication, communications with the opposite sex in general, and more particularly with his wife, deduced that it was time for dinner conversation.
“Taun Lake was teeming with fish this morning. Several flocks were catching their fill. If I'd gone to hunt, we would have brought a bounty of nice fowl like this.” Aspiria, who had just taken a bite, nodded approvingly, and then cast her gaze towards Caryell. “However, today was not a day for fishing or hunting,” Roloff continued as he sat back a little, put his right arm around his son, and squeezed his shoulder. “Caryell has begun his journey into manhood this day,” and pausing briefly, “so no more calling him your ‘lil’ papo.’” Aspiria gave a short sarcastic grin, while Caryell, looking down at his plate shook his head softly with a slight flush. Roloff smiled warmly and then chuckled lightly for a moment.
Indeed, the day that a boy begins his journey into manhood was a special time for the Paladors and their people. The feast that they were now enjoying was capping off a singular father and son experience. Traditionally, the father would spend the day with the young man teaching him of the world, elevating him physically, mentally, and spiritually into manhood, and Roloff believed strongly in tradition. In large measure, the father discussed the roles of man, and in particular, the relationships of men and women. Reproduction was described in detail; not simply the technicalities, but also as part of the pleasures and responsibilities of marriage. The emphasis was to be on the spiritual nature of love, family, and posterity, intermingled with work, responsibility, and patience. Roloff made a special point of explaining how women, especially one’s wife, should be treated with the upmost respect and admiration. Beyond this, much was spoken of civic duties, education, and the dangers and pitfalls of the world to avoid. Some was spoken of church and religion; much was shared about God, the purpose of and eternal nature of life—that birth and death, while important events, were neither the beginning nor ending of the soul and the family. All of this was brought full circle in describing the family as the basic unit of society, and as an essential element of the purpose and plan of life.
For Roloff and Caryell this was all accomplished with the backdrop of the beautiful woods and lakes surrounding their home. They talked as they walked, as they rested by the lake and skipped rocks, while they prepared and cooked meals, and as they explored in the woods. It was certainly not a lecture, and Roloff didn’t need to organize his presentation. It was all an intimate part of his being, and thus flowed naturally and conversationally. And conversation it was. All that was shared this day was not new to Caryell; the details of reproduction were very enlightening to the young man, but much of what was brought up had been talked about before in some sense or another. So Caryell shared his thoughts, asked many questions, and expressed his opinions in this detailed conversation. Still, never had so much, and in such great detail, been laid on this young man’s mind at one time. His silence at the dinner table was more than just the feeding of a famished body; his mind was overfilled, and subconsciously he was trying to put the pieces together.
“We are so very pleased with the young man you have become, Caryell,” Aspiria said smiling. “It is a special day for you, and a special time in your life. In only a short while you will begin your higher education. Do you think that you are ready?”
“Thank you, Mother, I hope so. I do feel grown up. Father said that no one is ever ready, but that you do your best and it all works out.”
“Your father knows what he is talking about. It is a credit to you that you listen to his counsel,” said Aspiria, wanting to add a little counsel of her own. But her thoughts, and the conversation in general, were cut short with a brisk knock at the door.
Chapter 5