Public Domain Science Fiction Writer Wai Z contents

A couple of months had passed since they had arrived in Sannadee. Well Sarpo had thought the place was called Sannadee from what the Abbot had announced, but in fact they later learnt it was simply called Mubanrao - our home community. Maybe it was a couple of months, but he was guessing as it was only the last week he had started his diary - the Annals of Samsarapho.

He had quickly realised that life in Mubanrao was pleasant but the life was not for him. These people were happy and lived an idyllic life in many ways, because they accepted being farmers. For Sarpo he had done more than that in his life, things he thought more important. He reflected back on how life had been for him starting in the depths of drink, well worse back to his family, linking with the Phors, and finally how Namzo had led the Link of Four and the survivors of the ashram into Mubanrao. His role was not to accept the life of a farmer.

In his Annals he would write about the world he had left, its history, and what had brought about the destruction they had fled. He would record what was good about the world they had left, the ashram, the religious traditions and even some of the contemporary spirituality - although he was wary of these as they rejected the past and came from people created in intellectuality. He would like to gather what could be retained. As he learnt more about Mubanrao he would record their own traditions, what had kept them at peace. He knew their journey was not the end of Evolution.

What was most important here was the temple, Mubans called it Dom Kajaa - "The House of Wisdom". He later found out that Kajaa was the most important thing to Mubans, and in their lives they claimed they sought Kajaa. For them Kajaa was all around, in the trees, in the mountains, in the air, in the water, and in the land but they had to be of a right mind to see Kajaa - feel Kajaa. For them this right-mindedness came from acceptance of their fate. He would soon hear of stories where people did not accept, and the snake took them. They were a suspicious people, and wanted to warn him.

Very quickly Sarpo had sought the permission of the Abbot to live in the Dom. He explained to the Abbot that he wanted to write the annals, or at least he tried to explain, and the Abbot opened his arms again and said "Sannadee"; by that time Sarpo knew Sannadee meant welcome. When the Four linked on the night he entered Dom, they quickly understood; Mpho had already sensed that Sarpo was becoming distant. Sarpo's role as scholar and his acceptance by the Abbot also meant the Mubans accepted him as teacher. They helped him with language as they wanted to especially help their teacher, and he passed this on to the others with scheduled lessons. For once the Link didn't help, it seemed the world of words was too gross for the Link.

For the first month or so the Link had rested after the strains the journey had placed on their bodies, then one night they all went to bed at the same time. Involuntarily the Link formed itself as Mpho, Yunio and Sarpo were moved from the realm of dreary sleep into an environment of aliveness. Around Mpho the air seemed to shimmer, it was as if the air could be seen to vibrate. Yunio saw a bright light in his head and as he focussed on the light it seemed to suck him out of his body; he willingly went with it. Sarpo, alone, heard a distant sound, all he could think of was this sound was pure harmony. He listened to this sound, and soon realised it was silence, absolute silence. He tried to join with the silence, to feel that purity of silence inside him, and as he did he found the edges of his body melting away as the sound drifted and he with it. As air light and sound met so did Mpho, Yunio and Sarpo. The Link of Three formed, and they realised what a month of relaxation and recovery had made them forget. They became grounded again as Nature had brought them back.

With sadness they remembered the lack of Namzo, and noted Namzo's guidance on Tanbo. Remembering his sharp edges they were wary to seek him out but trusted Namzo. Tanbo was sleeping and as they touched him this time they did not feel his sharpness, a few edges but they were receding - mellow. They remembered thinking that every step up the mountain had helped him, and if you accepted Mubanrao there was no anger. They sought to be closer but Mpho knew he was not ready, and they withdrew as rushing could create a backlash and here in Mubanrao there was no rush. After all tonight they had found the link again, and they had a lifetime - what was the rush?

Withdrawing and feeling a deeper contentment than they had since their arrival they drifted off to sleep.

The next morning they left the town to seek a quiet place to link, and to their annoyance the children followed. They were happy with the children but they just wanted to link. After what seemed ages the children got bored and returned to the village, so they found shelter behind a rock and linked. That morning a great joy filled the link. The ten had survived - Namzo did not belong here. They had a new home, and life was good. They dwelled in this joy as it invigorated them. After what seemed a short time they started to return to Mubanrao only to discover they had been linking for an hour. There was a farmer nearby, and he shouted "Dom Kajaa". They had heard those words spoken often but did not know. Sarpo went to the man "Dom Kajaa?", he intonated a question. And the farmer waved for them to follow as he took them to The House. Once there they saw some of the villagers making offerings and the Abbot was sat quietly meditating with some of the villagers - they were left alone. The farmer had seen them link, and was showing them where to go. In future they obliged gratefully.

For Mpho and Yunio coming to Mubanrao was a homecoming. At every turn she found the same approach she had tried to establish in her own village - only without having to deal with outside interference and established bad practice. Although Yunio's commitment originally was not as deep as Mpho's, by the time they were forced to leave her village he had felt deep in his heart that they had been building what was right so was saddened when he saw that being torn down. He came to Mubanrao and loved what he saw. He had noticed how happy the children were in Mpho's village but compared to Mubanrao the children had never even glimpsed the joys of life. He never saw Muban children fight, some minor squabbling, but it was nothing serious. He watched the children with their parents, they did not argue. The parents loved their children but they did not spoil them. The children were disciplined and he did see one parent hit a child - it was not frowned on, just not normally needed. He could see the punished child was sad, it was as if he was upset for forcing the parent to strike him. There was sadness in the father's eyes but no apology, his son was wrong to have pushed him. Or so it appeared from outside, not speaking the language. Even their cats and dogs went their separate ways, and were comfortable with each other; he had often previously reflected that the violence amongst animals was simply a reflection of the violence amongst humans.

Blenbu never settled. Maybe he too had fulfilled his purpose like Namzo in bringing the group to Mubanrao. It was not long before he moved out of the town and sought residence up high. Daily he would wander vast distances throughout his new land, enjoying it yet not enjoying so much the community they were now a part of. After a while he moved to a hut up high, and would often wander around the huts the farmers had built for their occasional stays on high. He was happy up there, the farmers respected him as they did all who chose to live alone up the mountains; they knew mountains were places of peace and only the peaceful chose. He became Kakangpokao - the wise one of the mountains from outside.

But apart from Sarpo and Blenbu all soon integrated into Mubanrao, yet Sarpo's purpose was maybe separated from the others - but in its own way more integrated - essential.

But Yunio and Mpho thrived, all that seemed to hold them back was language, and that was just a matter of time. They were approachable, unlike Sarpo - Kianpainee, the writer of tradition. Mpho became Merkangnam - black mother from outside, and Yunio Parkangkao - white father from outside.

But to begin with language kept them separate, and amongst themselves - it was difficult to relate to people beyond saying Sannadee. Of course everyone accepted it, they were from outside - everything about them was outside. But Mubans were good people, and the Abbot had told them the outsiders had a place in Mubanrao. To begin with they all stayed with villagers or at smaller Doms around Mubanrao, Blenbu even found a Dom up high for a while but still chose his separate way. Yet it soon became clear that they should have their own places.

After they had settled the villagers with some direction from the Abbot built them homes. By the time Sarpo had moved into the Dom, Mpho and Yunio had been given a home near the Dom, the significance of which they learnt later. Tanbo stayed in the home of the villagers as he had begun to befriend their daughter. Ging and Yo were naturally given a home on their own, and they put Gium, Bper and Far together as that was what they always were - together. In this way life for the 10 began to take shape in Mubanrao. But they had to be useful so they began working in the fields with the villagers who housed them. Once settled they were given land to work themselves.

After about a year this began to change for Mpho and Yunio, they found the Mubans made an effort to come and talk to them. It soon became clear that they sought advice. This puzzled the two but they willingly gave what they could in broken language. It was very strange trying to talk in this way, and they could see that this was very difficult for the villagers - the only people they knew who could not speak the language were the children. But they couldn't treat Merkangnam and Parkangnam as children, that would be disrespectful. Yet the interchanges continued so Mpho and Yunio assumed Mubans gained something. And it gave them a sense of fulfilment to pass something on a purpose.

As the first year had progressed the Link had made greater efforts to bring in Tanbo, they felt confident he would eventually join them - so Namzo spoke. It happened one inconspicuous night. That day had been more normal than normal. Sarpo had been in Dom Kajaa, writing and following his life of contemplation, Mpho and Yunio had met with the villagers in what they discovered were called Poot Kajaa sessions by the villagers - they learned this meant "speak wisdom". It was the rainy season so by the evening the weather was pleasant, neither hot nor cold. The rain had come mid-afternoon, and therefore the late morning had been quite hot - good drying weather. In fact they had thought they would stroll before Poot Kajaa which had become a regular 5.00pm thing. But as they stepped out they felt a wind begin, just a small wind but they knew the wind would increase and rain would come. So instead they exercised indoors - building chi.

After Poot Kajaa they met Sarpo in the temple, and they linked. It had become a thing that they would checkout Tanbo once a week, and this was the usual perusal. They moved over his house, and felt Tanbo reach out to them. "I was expecting you" came as a greeting, "Sino had told me today held great store for me"; Sino was his Muban partner. Somehow his heart had been trying to reach the link but his intellect had blocked it. As his time in Mubanrao had moved on, his intellect had lost its bloated ego of intellectuality as he settled into life the way it was intended. This Sino had seen in him, and she knew there was "great store". His heart had reached out to the Link to reap the harvest.

And that was it, it was as it had always been - the Link of Four. After they had shared in the oneness that the Link offered, Mpho spoke with Tanbo.

"It was Namzo, you know," she spoke wistfully, remembering their guide "he told us you were to join the Link. We tried before, on the way up the mountain, but it was very hard. You didn't want us." "I did," he answered slowly "but at the same time there was Suivo. He was strong, and he helped our group greatly. His sacrifice for the group of 10 should rank highly." He thought to explain more, but it was the past - perhaps one day Sarpo will record what Suivo did. "The others in Suivo's group, they were all pulling on me and I wasn't strong enough to see through their clinging. "But here in Mubanrao Sino has shown me how to leave all that behind. She has been teaching me about Kajaa. They love that stuff you know. Kajaa is in the wind …." "In the rain, in the mountains in the valleys - even in the snake," quoted Mpho as they both laughed at the verse of faith.

"But it is real," he said "I have felt it. Well you know you have felt it in the Link."

They became quiet, and then Tanbo said "Sino will help the Link, you know." Enough said Mpho thought.

Meanwhile Kakangpokao was creating his own legend. Wandering around the mountains, through the huts, up and down valleys, sourcing streams, Blenbu was beginning to become so knowledgeable of the extremities of Mubanrao. Wherever he went they welcomed him, and at times he used to search for these people - to avoid them. Their generosity filled his heart but he didn't want to take from them - they were not rich at least in money. As he grew more familiar with the land he learnt of its plenty. Somehow he instinctively knew which berry could be eaten, which leaves could be plucked and scoffed, and even the fungus that would not poison. He never worried even when away from people, but when they met him they always prepared a feast he could not refuse. So he avoided them.

Many times he would be seen bringing a stray sheep back to the farm, at least he called them sheep. Maybe they were a type of yak, what did such words matter. In fact they were called cheewits which he later found out also meant life; understandable as they were food and clothing. They were a bit stupid, and would wander high up seeking food. They would slip, fall and become trapped. Along came Blenbu and returned them to the nearest farm - often meaning a day or so trek carrying one of these cheewits on his back. Soon he began to note the colour-coding, the dye denoting the owner, and he was amused because sometimes he never knew how far he had travelled until the code gave him some bearing. Lower down there were landmarks, familiar places and slopes, but higher the hills undulated and within a couple of miles he could completely lose where he was going - not that that mattered. Often a mist, the snake's breath, would descend, and visibility would go. But for him it didn't matter, he wasn't going anywhere. He just lived to enjoy walking. And even in the mist there was never great cold, and if forced to spend a night out on the slopes there was no great hardship.

And then one day he found his purpose - or so he laughingly called it, he became the Observer of the Relics. One night he had ventured high up and got a bit stuck. Then he had found water, just a trickle, decided to follow it down, to better climes. His instincts had been right, and the trickle grew so continuing downwards he thought safety would come and then there was a waterfall - deep. Around the rocks were too steep, and it looked as if he would be forced to return upwards. And then over the fall drifted a body clinging to a vine, he moved closer - it was Namzo. He searched for a vine and quickly tried to follow his old friend and guide down, but once finding the vine his friend was lost. Trick of the mind, he thought, I have been in these hills too long; but the vine took him to safety.

He mentioned it to some farmers one time, and they just laughed "the One from Outside always shows us the Way, we call him Kangsadengtang - the One from Outside who shows us the Way.

Tanbo blossomed once he had accepted the Link. Spurred on by Sino who somehow knew his worth he quickly embraced the Link, and began to develop on his own. In this Sarpo helped a great deal encouraging Tanbo to learn from the Traditions that had existed in their worlds. As Sarpo taught Tanbo, he became clearer in what he wanted to write, and a positive bond grew between the two. As an understanding of language grew the Abbot would often join them, and the Annals soon became a comparison of the good practices between their old world and new. So the Link spanned the past through Tanbo and Sarpo, and the present with Mpho and Yunio.

Yet the Link spanned the two cultures, Tanbo and Sarpo through the Abbot, Tanbo through Sino, and Mpho and Yunio as the mother and father from outside.

The others adapted more slowly yet not through any form of resistance did they delay their involvement. They were young but unlike the youth of Tanbo their youth led to pre-occupation with their own affairs. And in truth it was affairs of love that held them back. Ging and Yo had always been immersed in each other, and once they had their own place in Mubanrao that immersion became total. They were so suited to each other that they never felt the need to step outside. The Mubans marvelled at the depth of their love, and were content to allow them this bliss in youth. Often the couple would wander, and the locals took great pleasure in feeding them if their aimless bliss brought them within their domains. All knew how this would be short-lived but they were happy to let it run its course.

The situation with Gium, Bper and Far was however the opposite - completely unstable and very threatening to the Mubans - it was not natural. Back in Uu's ashram Gium had known Far, and through Far had met her best friend Bper. Bper had silently loved Gium, and then inadvertently whilst speaking to Bper had opened the floodgates to her passion. Wanting to hear Gium express his love, Bper had misheard and responded with her kind and open heart. Being the ashram the three began to accept a ménage-a-trois, whilst Gium and Far remained active physically. On one occasion Far's love for Bper had even gently encouraged Gium to enjoy physical passion with Bper, but when Gium explored this with Bper he saw such emotion that he became afraid of what would be unleashed. He knew things were best left as they were, and hoped - beyond hope - that matters would end pleasantly.

Whilst young in the ashram such a triangle did not matter as they were involved in Uu's teachings. But out here in Mubanrao the future mattered more and Nature was uncomfortable so made a decision; soon Kunyino, the mother-spirit of the Mubans, began to step in. The three had settled together much to the astonishment of the Mubans who were afraid that the passion of Bper and Far would lead to a disagreement ending in death. For the Mubans relationships were about children. Known Kajaa was that a relationship existed to have children; in fact all conveyed great compassion to any relationship that was unable to have children. Kajaa knew a society evolves by the conditions provided for the children to grow well, and Mubans worked hard to provide those conditions. Two mothers and one father didn't work for them.

Still for the Mubans this strange ménage lasted a long time - two years, many did not know it had existed three years outside. And surprisingly Gium ended up staying with Bper. One day the three had planned a walk, but at the last minute Far became ill. She needed rest - it was not serious, so she insisted the others go on the trip. The ill-fated trip of division began innocuously with the two talking about how great it was to be in Mubanrao - they were used to talking together. They wandered up high to a waterfall the three liked, and they sat there. Then they climbed higher and Gium innocently supported Bper, as she slipped. She smiled, and they both felt an electricity - Kunyino's spark. They walked on, and this spark grew inside the both, but neither would dream of expressing it. Again they brushed fanning the internal flame. But they still climbed, and reached a breathtaking view where they stopped and rested taking in the best of what Nature offered. This deep joy mingled and fanned the sparks inside, and again they touched as food was passed between them. In Gium thought and resistance left his head, and above his eyes he just felt a warm yellow glow that sucked away his thoughts of Far, and he allowed his hands to caress Bper. Soon all sense had left him, and his love for Bper was transformed into love-making as her own resistance was eaten away in the moment. Very soon the act of love had finished, and they lay there exhausted and racked with guilt. There was no need to say anything, this would be the only time, they now knew they couldn't be alone together.

And so the old triangle continued. Bper increased her fondness for Far as did Gium, and true to their unspoken vow they were never alone again. And their guilt would have allowed all to have been forgotten if Kunyino had not shown that Her hand was at work by giving a child to Bper. This could not be hidden and buried in silence, and Gium came clean with Far. Kunyino had also been taking the matter in Her hands in another way, as Gium and Far were unable to conceive.

The night Gium told Far, Bper moved out - she was determined to bring up the child herself. But the Abbot stepped in and called Mpho to him. He explained the ways of Mubanrao. Kunyino dictated who were the father and mother and this strange triangle must end. Gium must take his duties as a father seriously and that Bper and he should be married. Mpho accepted this, and called the three together. She cxplained what the Abbot had told them, and they knew that it had to be that way. Far looked sadly into the eyes of Gium who avoided her gaze. Her eyes then met Bper but there was no anger - she genuinely loved them both. Their triangle had ended and she was the one to leave. That night she moved in with Mpho and Yunio, but the next morning when they sought her she had gone. A quiet note said that she wanted to be on her own, and please not to worry. Mpho went to Gium and Bper to tell them, and Gium readied himself to hunt for her. "You cannot," screamed Mpho imperiously. "You have to show the Mubans that you respect their traditions. Far is on her own and must find her own way of settling in here." Both Bper and Gium sat there numb, both wanting to chase after Far yet knowing they couldn't. Their sadness immobilised them. They hugged each other but there was no comfort - they feared their passion had killed their friend.

Far wandered off into the mountains, numbly stepping one foot after the other, deep shock carrying her forward but without heart. She spent that first night in one of the mountain huts and cried herself to sleep. Still shattered morning awoke her, and she began to walk. Around her was such beauty, and slowly she allowed that beauty to steep itself inside her. By the end of that day she was exhausted but her heart was split as Nature had shown her glory yet her broken heart still lay in tatters.

The next day she walked and met Blenbu, and very quickly she spilled her heart. Blenbu was not skilled in such matters but the mountains had taught him patience and compassion, and he knew that he had a new companion. For days they were seen wandering up high, and word soon reached Mpho that Maisamsao, The One that is not Triangle - Far, was with Kakangpokao, and Mpho was relieved to know that she was safe with Blenbu. Yunio smiled as he raised his eyebrow at the dirty old man. Nothing was heard of either of them for a long time until the day Blenbu and Far arrived for Gium and Bper's wedding. The three, Gium Bper and Far hugged each other tightly in front of the whole of Mubanrao, and all were shocked especially the Abbot. But they soon parted and Far took her place respectfully at the wedding. Mpho smiled to the Abbot who was then relieved, and she later confirmed that the three were reconciled to the ways of Mubanrao. Seeing this the Abbot instructed the Mubans to provide Far with a place a respectful distance from Gium and Bper, and when the child was born Far became Bpamaisamsao - the Auntie that is not Triangle, and all were happy. Especially as she soon met Karbo, and had children of her own in the way of Mubanrao. Kunyino and Kajaa had their way. As she grew older Far soon became Auntie to all the children of Mubanrao as she and Karbo became the teachers of many, and Kunyino had brought true happiness to all in Her way.

Blenbu was also happy. He could now get back to his mountains, to his peace and solitude, whilst showing he still loved Mubanrao. The legend of caring Kakangpokao grew in the hearts of the Mubans after the day that he had brought their Auntie - Bpamaisamsao - back to them. His legend was almost lauded as much as that of Kangsadengtang - Namzo showing them the way.

*_*_*_* As time went on more and more Mubans visited Mpho and Yunio. As their language improved so did their knowledge of Mubanrao and Kajaa. But they brought with them added Kajaa from outside, and the Mubans called this fusion Kajaakaya. To begin with Yunio never understood this, after all life was so different here. But in a link one time it came to them.

In fact it was Sino who had pointed the way for them through Tanbo. They had been out walking, happy - content to walk free of cares and stresses. Walking is. "Today is good for Kajaa," she smiled generously at Tanbo "I can feel it. Something good must be happening." She pulled his arm to her and wrapped herself around his waist. They walked on enjoying Nature whilst Tanbo's mind was reflecting - feeling Kajaa, good happening. He began thinking back to talks at the ashram where they had spoken of harmony, unity, coincidence, synchronicity, and then other times truth, wisdom, and many more. All such words that gave intellects such difficulty became familiar as words to understand - encompass - integrate - live with. Kajaa was one of those, and that sparked a whole lot more. It was still on his mind when they linked and it became the focus for them all that night.

As they emerged from the Link Kajaa had become a central focus for them all as they looked round and told each other "That's Kajaa". There was a stream, it was Kajaa, the crow overhead Kajaa, the cat was licking its paws - Kajaa, they laughed - Kajaa as well. They were laughing and giggling as children about Kajaa, and when the Mubans saw them they too pointed at them - Kajaa. From then on Mpho and Yunio were able to speak the way of the Mubans at their meetings, because Kajaa so framed the language that once it was understood the language became so much easier. They became so busy that Tanbo and Sino started to run some sessions, and even Auntie Far came along when education was of a special concern.

The Abbot looked on as the outsiders began to take a more leading role in guiding his society - he smiled at his ego but refused to admonish. They were no more his than the cats and dogs - and no less. He made a point of meeting with the outsiders every so often but as he grew older he became more tired, and people were much more fun from afar - enjoying them without his being stressed. More and more he focussed on Kajaa, being one with Kajaa as the years took their toll on his body.

Blenbu walked, Sarpo wrote, and Mubanrao lived.