“Yes, Ma’at. I’m no expert on it, but I have tried to live harmoniously with it. So what are some of your political thoughts?” Akua asked.
Akua knew that was a rather vague question and Plato’s answer could be lengthy, but he wanted also to encourage Plato to talk about it.
“What is a just state? How are people of various intellects going to become just? It’s quite an important question. And since Philon and the servants are busy in the kitchen, I’ll offer my perspectives if you so wish to hear them.”
“Of course. Tell me your thoughts,” Akua responded.
“A man will learn from birth. That’s for sure. But his interest and ability will determine how far in the educational system he will go. I call those who go the farthest Philosopher-Kings.
“The Philosopher-Kings should be in charge of the political interests assuming we first have a just state. With politics in order, the lesser educated will develop and nourish the economy and also take care of security and military affairs.”
“And that will become a just state?” Akua asked.
“Not always. Although this ideally would be just, we’re still faced with the corruptive, vindictive and greedy nature of most men. This almost always throws things out of balance to some degree. Akua, I have not concluded how to deal with such a non-just state. What would you do?”
Akua felt important. Plato was well known in Greece and its neighbors as a wise mathematician and philosopher and he was now seeking Akua’s answer.
“Well, in Egypt we follow Ma’at as you know, handed down from the goddess of universal equilibrium and order. Ma’at is actually part of the Sameness. The Eternal Sameness describes the world as a creation that is wholly complete and perfect in form. Since Ma’at is immutable, the gods guarantee a just state. It is only humans that add a dynamic and polymorphic aspect to the world. So my answer to your question is this, ‘once a state morphs to be against justice it won’t go back to being just until the dynamic component is removed. In other words, once men change a just state to a non-just state through means of corruption and greed the just state cannot return until those malevolent men are somehow removed’.”
Plato was quite impressed. Since Greece didn’t follow a Ma’at-like system, Akua had offered an entirely fresh perspective.
“I understand. This too makes sense. Your ideas are fresh and imaginative and I now have something new to consider. One day, I plan to write my ideas in parchment so they will be well preserved,” Plato said.
Akua and Plato continued to talk. And a few minutes later, Philon came out of the kitchen.
“Supper is served. Come and take a seat.”
Akua, Plato and Philon sat down at the round table. Philon’s wife and daughter also sat at the table, but up until now neither said anything.
“Thank you for hosting such a relaxing evening. It sure helps,” Plato said to Philon.
“How is the tour going?” Philon asked.
“It’s enjoyable, as it always is, but I don’t have the physical stamina I used to. I look forward to coming home to Athens,” Plato answered.
“Are you going to resume teaching at the Academy?”
“Yes.”
“Akua is a guest at the Academy. He has illuminated us all with his perspectives,” Philon said.
“Akua, would you like an extension to your stay?” Plato asked.
“That is a very kind offer. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the Academy, but I graciously decline. I will need to move on and eventually return to Egypt,” Akua answered so both Plato and Philon could hear him.
Akua wasn’t about to tell them that ‘moving on’ really meant solitude. Not only that, but contemplation on how to return to his former life in Egypt. This was Akua’s foremost objective.
“I will forever treasure knowing you both and allowing me to study at the Academy. Thank you.”
They talked and laughed until well into the night. Akua left feeling better than he had felt in a long time.
Chapter 9
Kyros prepared a nice breakfast on Akua’s final morning at his house. It was mostly just a few types of bread that were meant to be dipped in wine and some fruit. Akua walked over to the eating table where Kyros sat.
“Well Kyros, I do thank you for opening your home to me,” Akua said.
“My pleasure. I enjoyed your stay. I hope that your future is kind to you.”
Akua was surprised to hear Kyros talk about the future, but he figured that with Kyros’s bright mind, his troubles in Egypt were evident though Kyros didn’t really know what was wrong.
“I see that you have your belongings gathered,” Kyros said.
“Yeah, it’s only one bag so it will not be hard to carry. If you ever have an occasion to come to Egypt, travel to Heliopolis and see me.”
“Of course. We are friends forever.”
Akua finished the meal and left. Akua’s next destination was the Academy to say goodbye. Although he had no idea where he would go after he left the Academy, he felt alive with a sizzling energy.
*
Akua walked into the Academy as usual and met Actaeon, Makarios and Mathias there.
“You are here to say goodbye. We would love to have you stay a while longer. We will miss you,” Actaeon said to Akua.
“It has been a real pleasure learning with all of you. I’ve learned things I never would have if I never visited your beautiful country. I’ll never forget my time here. Thank you all. It would be great to stay, but I need to move on,” Akua said to all of them at once.
Akua felt his stomach sink. He had just severed his last tie with Greece. All he could do now was to return to Egypt. He was eager to reunite with Nefertet and try to live somewhat of a normal life with her. But he could not stop thinking.
Will the priesthood even listen to me? Why would they even care? Will they hunt me down and kill me? Will Nefertet and her family be safe when I return to Heliopolis? How long will I live when I get back to Egypt?
Akua hugged each one of them in succession and then said farewell. He promptly left the building.
*
Akua’s first destination was to visit the big marketplace at the center of Athens. He wanted to enjoy it one last time. That night he planned to stay at the Inn using the coins Philon had given him.
The market was busier in the day than it was at night. Akua walked slowly from stand to stand basking in the warmth of the sun. He knew he had some thinking and deciding to do, but he wasn’t going to do that today. This was his day to do whatever he wished. He was out to make the most of it.
In the center of the market was a grassy area with trees. There a man sat with about nine children encircling him. He was just finishing telling them a story. After a brief silence he drank from his cup.
“And now for the grand Finale, a story that is as exciting as it is beautiful, Giants of Ithaca…”
Many years ago in the
rolling hills of Ithaca in
the Ionian islands were two
small villages. The villages
were close to one another
so the people could pull
together and survive. You
see, the villagers were very
poor and barely grew enough
food to feed themselves.
The two village leaders were
quick to resolve to do something
about their poverty. So they both
climbed to the top of a mountain
nearby. It was rumored that
if you asked sincerely, Zeus
would appear. Each man
climbed the mountain. Once
atop, they summoned Zeus
by name…
“Lord Zeus, thou is great. Our
people are so poor that
we face starvation with the
oncoming winter. Please help us.”
About an hour later, an old
graying man walked out
from behind a cl
ump of trees.
“Your lord has come to save
you and your people.”
It was Zeus himself. He handed
them each a small, shiny green
emerald.
“Take these crystals. When you
return to the villages, will find
two giants shackled to large
rocks. One for each village.
These crystals will control them,
but you must never let them
touch water.”
“And what will these giants do
for us?” one of the men asked.
“The hills are full of emeralds
like this, but they are encased
deep within the rock. No man
can ever mine them, but the giants
I have given are able to. With
these jewels, you and your
people will prosper.”
By now, Akua was intrigued and could not tear himself away. The storyteller saw him standing against a tree and smiled to himself.
The leaders returned to the two
villages with the good news.
And, sure enough, were two
giants chained up.
Each giant had green and
blue skin tone. They were over
thirty feet tall and full of muscle.
Indeed, they obeyed every command
the keeper of the emerald barked.
These giants were able to talk,
but they were not allowed to, not
even a little.
The giants started digging in the
mountains almost immediately.
The village leaders worked them
day and night while only feeding
them bread and water.
Sadly, the giants never smiled.
They were not happy. Bound by
chains, they were forced to work
constantly. It was a far worse lot
than that of any Athenian slave.
The hills were full of emeralds,
but they were extremely difficult
for the giants to mine. It took two
weeks to retrieve one small stone.
The villagers were able to trade
these for more food, but the addition
of two voracious appetites kept
food scarce. The villagers were
not much better off than they
were before.
The children were genuinely concerned. They felt bad for the giants and the way they were treated.
“Why can’t they let the giants rest for just a little bit?” one boy asked the storyteller.
“It just isn’t fair. They should get to play sometimes,” the youngest girl in the circle said.
One day, a four family caravan
passed through one of the
villages.
“We’re on our way to the Land
of Tuscany. May we water our
animals here?” a member of the
caravan asked one of the village
people.
“Of course. Let the animals help
themselves to as much water
as they want.”
A small girl ran over to one
of the giants when nobody
was looking. The working
giant stopped for a moment
and picked the tiny child up
in his big hand. He put her on
his shoulder and ran around
in a small circle. The little
girl loved it. She screamed and
laughed with delight. But
her screams alerted the adults.
They pleaded with the giant
not to eat their child, but to
let her go.
As soon as possible, the giant
was subdued by the magic
emerald and a special whip
that took two men to crack. The
child ran back to her parents.
“That was so fun mother, can
I go again?”
“Certainly not. Giants eat children!”
“But he is a nice giant. He
even talked with me. He is
hungry and tired. I won’t
leave until he is given some
food,” the little girl said sternly.
Reluctantly, the girl’s mother
pulled out some fine breads
along with fruits and vegetables
for the giant. The giant was so
hungry he ate everything he
was given.
“Thank you. I have never been
able to eat so much,” the giant
said to the girl’s mother.
Soon the other children in the
caravan started begging
their parents to be allowed
to go and ride on the giant’s
shoulders. The mother that
had just fed the giant was so
impressed with being thanked
by the giant that she told the
other adults that she thought
it was okay.
Meanwhile, the little girl went
up to the man controlling the
giant with the emerald.
“The giant told me that being
chained was making him unhappy.
Throw the emerald you have
in the stream and let him be free.”
“What? You do not know what
you say child. Go away.”
The village leader was angry
that his giant was not working.
But he still let the children
take turns riding on the giant.
After all the rides were over, the
giant was told to get back to
work. All the children could
not stop talking with excitement
about the great giant rides.
To the surprise of the villagers,
the parents took food from their
caravan and started to hand
it out.
It was their way of saying
thanks. They not only gave
them the staples, but milk,
honey, pepper and cinnamon,
rare delicacies. After the food
was handed out, the caravan
left. The villagers immediately
agreed that they were using
their giants in the wrong way.
So the first thing they did
was to call a meeting of everyone
in each village.
At the meeting they collectively
decided they could make more
money from giant rides than
mining emeralds. The villagers
were so sure this idea would
work, they threw both of the
magic emeralds into the stream
that flowed nearby.
The next morning, the villagers
sent messengers throughout the
country. The messengers were to
tell everybody of the nice giants
they had and that they were
gentle enough to ride. They made
it a point to tell everyone
they could to take a trip to the
village and ride the giants.
Now what the messengers said
intrigued many. Everyone
knew that giants were destructive,
mean and ate children. But some
people decided to travel to the
villages and see just how tame
these giants really were.
All the people that travelled to
the villages rode the giants, not
just the children. Each village
grew rich beyond belief. Not only
did the throngs of people pay
with food, but they also paid
with fine goods from around the
country. In a short ti
me, the
giants were very happy and
the villagers were prosperous.
The villagers and the giants
work together even today.
The word has even spread to
us here in Athens about the
two nicest giants in the world.
If any of you ever travel to
the Land of Ithaca be sure
to go ride the giants.
The End.
Akua waited until all of the children had left. He couldn’t explain it to himself, but he felt he should talk with the storyteller.
“Hello. I am Akua-Mat from Egypt. I am a priest from the city of Heliopolis,” Akua said in nearly perfect Greek.
“I noticed you as I told the tale. Did you enjoy it? By the way, my name is Lycan.”
“I enjoyed it very much. I’m very interested in learning everything Greek. Your story was fascinating.”
“Thanks. I did not compose it though. I first heard it when I was a boy. Are you going to stay in Athens much longer?” Lycan asked.
“I’m not sure. I’ve spent my time up until now studying and learning at the Academy. I even got a chance to meet Plato, the well-known philosopher.”
“Wow! What is he like?”
“He is a nice man. He is very dedicated to his work. I related to him well.”
“One day I would like to go to the Academy and study. But right now I’ve got my hands full with stone masonry. I only tell stories between building work,” Lycan said.
“My father was a tomb builder. I admired his work all the time. You have a very important profession,” Akua said.
“Yes. It took many years to learn the craft. So where are you staying tonight Akua?”
“I plan to get a room at the Inn down the street?”
“That is a nice Inn. I worked on the facade and the interior columns, but I would like it if you came to my house tonight. It is just my wife and me as my daughters are now married. A guest would be nice.”
“I would like that. Thanks, Lycan.”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Akua followed Lycan to his home. It was less than a half mile from the market. Lycan’s home was larger than Kyros’s but smaller than Philon’s.
The Reed Fields Page 11
