Missing Wisdom
Art: Cze Peku
The town was originally created as a safe place for the young of all nations to come and learn. Expand our horizons in knowledge and take it back to our homes to help our families and communities. For a long time we’ve all been in this kind of rut. Nothing new being taught, nothing new ever happening. The children follow after their parents in work and civilization goes on in an endless routine.
So this city…these new teachings were a life sent for those who wanted to get away from their towns. For those who wanted to experience something new. To make decisions on their own without needing the backing of your whole family.
Now I know you’re wondering, why not just go to different towns? Go to different villages and learn on your own.
Short answer is we couldn’t. Earth has been overrun by demons for thousands of years. Those little nations, those towns and villages are our only safe places to live. Holes in the wall that allowed just enough space and resources to survive off of. No one is sure why these certain locations are off limits to the demons of this world but it’s safe to say we’re all grateful.
So as you can imagine it was a miracle to have found another space of safety. And for it to be used for the younger generations instead of made into another prison of a town.
I remember the journey there with all the other young adults of my village. I remember mothers and fathers embracing their children tight as they prepared for the first time to send them off. I remember my mom and dad hugging me and making sure I had everything I needed multiple times before I left. My dad cracking jokes and my mom trying to play along as she fought not to cry. My brothers hugged me and jested on who would get my room. I remember feeling so loved. Of course there was an underlying fear about potential demonic attacks while on our journey but no one mentioned it. No one wanted to think about it.
Thankfully we were able to meet up with a few other towns close to ours on the way and get there safely. But the one thing I remember the most is the front gates of the city when we got there. Stone hands shot out from the ground, as if welcoming us to this new land, this new life.
The school council had lit candles and lanterns all over the ground surrounding the hands and entrance as guards stood on both sides welcoming us as we passed by. Birds chirped and sang as they flew overhead and rested on the fingers of their hands.
Laughter danced around us as we all let out breaths of relief for our safe journey. Our new start had just begun. Soon the laughter turned into shouts of joy as we all began sprinting towards the town square. Other kids from other villages and towns began to join us in our euphoric sprint to the heart of our new home.
The lantern lights shined brightly against the housing buildings and shops and our faces as the day began to make room for the evening sun. It was the best night of our lives.
It’s too bad the joy didn’t last that long. We soon realized that to be a part of the City of Knowledge we had given something away. In the process of fleeing the mundane, we gave up our freedom. We gave up time. We gave up everything we knew. Only to realize when you come to the City of Knowledge, you become a prisoner of it. In one way, or another.
By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established;
by knowledge the rooms are filled
with all precious and pleasant riches.
A wise man is full of strength,
and a man of knowledge enhances his might,
for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
Wisdom is too high for a fool;
in the gate he does not open his mouth.
Proverbs 24:3-7
