The Fool's Story

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Summary

Originally inspired by a tarot deck's major arcana, it struck me how each card has a place or a story to tell in the larger story of our lives and I set out to tell those stories in one character’s life. With each story, it became more and more powerful. More and more personal. Although I've written many stories since this one, it remains one of the stories I'm proudest of. It's an incredibly raw, honest, and reflective story. Only a few of the events in this story are real (and I'll leave you to decide which ones) but many of the events are ones I've fantasized about. Dreamed about in a different life. You can see this reflected somewhat in the narrator's conversations with the fool. Yet another raw reflection of my writing process. This story is incomplete in a sense. I wrote this at a time when I was in a fairly dark place and when I decided to post it, I wondered whether or not to complete the remaining cards. I decided not to. This story, as many stories are, is a picture in time of who I was and what I thought. To this day, many of those same ideas and thoughts ring true but some of them do not. In order to maintain the moment of time this story represents, I chose not to impose my current ideas and thoughts onto the story. Instead, I think that left best to the Fool and his future companions.

Status
Complete
Chapters
15
Rating
5.0
Age Rating
16+

0 – 0 The Fool

What an apt card to draw first, I realize. The card representing neither the beginning nor the end. The major arcana, the cards, and the stories to follow, they are all in service to the fool. They are the stories of his life. And perhaps, to be more attuned to my own feelings, I realize I am a fool for allowing myself to start on this journey. A journey of telling stories which are not mine to tell. A journey when I have neither the time nor the energy to tell stories.

But perhaps that is why the Fool summons.

He beckons to me, a quiet voice whispering in the silence. “What better time then now?” He tells me. “When the world is chaotic, swirling around you like a storm and threatening to swallow you. Why not know? Why not follow me and listen to the tales I have to tell you. A fool I may be as a fool you may be! But it is the fools who have the greatest stories to tell is it not?

For what greater stories are there then ones of struggle, of loss, of magic and wonder, of confusion and tribulations, of solitude, temperance, and love? These are the stories I and you have to tell. And tell them we shall. For even before you began hearing me whisper those words in your ear they were already there. Waiting to be heard. Waiting to guide you.

The Fool.