Randerup 40
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Quotation of the week
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The Magic Boy IX
THE DAY
By
Per Jespersen
It was a sunny morning in the city. Most of the shops were closed and maybe all birds wondered what had happened to mankind, but they found it nice, hoping that it would last forever. A quiet city. Even in the houses there was some quietness. Sunday was a resting day, as the intention was. A day of peace. A day of dreaming. A day for reflection. Sebastian was having breakfast with his parents. “How is school,” dad said. “OK, fine.” “I think you never have homework to do.” “No, it’s a good school.” Mom opposed. “The only way to learn is to do homework.” “Nonsense,” Sebastian said. “It’s more important to learn in the lessons.” “So how will you spend a whole Sunday?” “No problem. I’ll leave in a minute. I’m going to meet Sharon.” “As usual,” mom said. “Don’t you see her a little bit too often?” “I can’t see her too often.” “We have to discuss this later,” mom said. “If you see me again.” “What?” “You heard.” “Are you going to leave your home?” “In a way, yes.” “What do you mean?” “You’ll see.” Sebastian got up. “Thanks for everything.” He left his parents totally confused. Thanks for everything! He had never said that before. There were so many sides of Sebastian’s mind, his parents did not know. They never forgot his first birthday. He was lying in the couch, when the guests arrived. They all admired the little boy. “Oh, how cute!” “What a nice boy!” “How lucky you are to have such a nice baby!” Then Sebastian screamed and said, “I’m not a little baby!” Those words were the first to pass his lips. “I’m not a little baby!” Later he had uttered so many strange and unexplainable things. So now they asked themselves, “Do we actually know our own boy?” They felt a little ashamed.
Sebastian walked down the main street. It was very quiet, as it was Sunday. Only the bells from the churches were to be heard. He sat down on the pavement, waiting for Sharon to come. She was supposed to bring bread from her mother. He hoped that she had remembered. There were so many things he did not know about Sharon. In many ways she was a riddle, but maybe that was, what he liked. He had so warm feelings for her, although he knew he was too young for that. On the other hand: Could one be too young to love and have warm feelings? No, of course not. He sensed that Sharon in many ways understood him. She had seen things, he had done, and he could not recall them until yesterday. And to day he knew what was going to happen, and Sharon knew, too. And there she was – with a basket full of bread. She sat down, took his hand and kissed his cheek. “This is the day, isn’t it?” He nodded with his eyes full of tears. “And you have tried to escape, haven’t you?” “Yes. I’m ashamed.” “No, you’re not. It’s human to be ashamed, and it’s human to love life.” “I know. But we all have our weaknesses.” “Indeed. Come on, let’s go to the park.” While walking with Sebastian down the main street, Sharon thought back. Why had her father taken her to the fortune-teller, when she was two? She remembered clearly what this woman had told her, but would not believe it, until she met Sebastian. Year after year she had gazed at him in class, asking herself, “When will it happen? When will he speak to me?” And now was THE day! “You’re weeping, Sharon.” “Yes, and you know why.” “I certainly do. But you must remember that I love you. You’re the best for me.” They were close to the park now, and Sebastian looked forward to sit on the bench with her. But they found the park crowded with children in all ages. “Come, on,” Sharon said. “I won’t loose you, Sharon.” “You won’t. Here’s the bread.” The many children cheered them as they stood on the bench, so that they could see all the children. And they said as in one voice, “Give us the words, Sebastian.” “Let’s eat first,” he said. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” “Yes,” the crowd responded. “Give the bread, Sharon.” He held up his hands, broke the bread, and said, “Blessed are the hungry and the poor.” “Yes,” the crowd answered. “I break this bread for you and the whole mankind.” “Yes!” “And I give it to you in love!”
“Yes!” “Blessed be the bread,” the children said. “And blessed be you and your souls. Live your life here as you are supposed to.” “We will.” “And do feel responsible for everybody around you!”
“We
will!” Then Sebastian said, “You have all eaten, and you are not hungry anymore.” “Blessed be you,” the crowd said. Sebastian reached out his left hand. It was filled up with crumbs, and he blew in his hand, and a flock of birds flew out of his hand, singing. “Blessed be you!” The birds sat in the trees around them, and Sharon smiled and wept at the same time. “Sharon, take my hand!” She took his hand, saying, “Bless you, Sebastian. This is the day of mankind.” And the crowd said aloud, “Sebastian, you gave us bread and blessings. So we’ll never forget.” In that moment the huge flock of birds flew from the trees, circled around Sebastian and Sharon, and flew with them as if they carried them on their wings. They flew right up into the clear, blue sky and were gone. The many children fell on their knees and were silent for a few minutes. They heard Sebastian’s voice: “Blessed be the children of the world, because they are bearers of the future!”
Skole-forum
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