Chapter 1.
Olympiad
1.1
Participants.
In winter, when everything is covered with white snowdrifts, the best and perhaps the only way to move through the forests is skiing.
So, without postponing the matter indefinitely, I got out my faithful companions: skis with boots and poles.
It was great to ride alone, but for a change it was decided to take Lulu, so to speak, to test her strength.
I also wanted to take with me the Marquis - a local cat. But he looked at the equipment, at us, so, that I realized if we take him, he will never forget this to us ... well, at least the first time we will go on reconnaissance without him.
So, while we were gathering, while we were persuading the Marquis, outlining the beauties of the winter sunny frosty forest for him, evening had already descended, the stars were pouring out, and the full Moon swam out into the sky.
Before that, many times, of course, I went skiing in the forest, it cannot be said, that this activity was something new for me. I knew about the true pleasure of leisurely skiing and looking at the snow-covered fir trees. But in secret, I always wanted to ride through the winter forest at night - on the most that neither is - on the Full Moon!
I have always felt a thrill, looking at the dark, huge silhouette of the night forest, in the distance behind a crystal river of ice, shining with a dazzling bluish-white moonlight.
You have to start sometime, why not today? Such an incredibly beautiful evening.
At first, of course, Lulu flatly refused, but after much persuasion and describing all the delights of the night forest, she nevertheless agreed.
Thus, we came out closer to the time, when the happy Marquis, eating up a delicious curd, was choosing where it would be better for him to lie down today, since there would be no one, and the choice for an overnight stay was huge.
Squeaking with snow, we slowly rolled down the river to the forest. I must say, that everything around was flooded with moonlight, and the ride was not scary at all . As always, only the approaching contour of the forest frightened.
There have already been many rumors about this forest, that it is not quite ordinary, and that different things happen there. In ancient times, rituals were held there, and the locals retelling different stories with trepidation, but of course no one could really say anything intelligible and everything was at the level of beliefs.
In winter we went skiing there, the trail was already trodden, but at night no one else dared to ski. In my opinion, Lulu and I were pioneers, so I took her, so that it would not be so scary.
Entering the forest, it immediately became easier. I noticed one very strange thing, and in my opinion it is very significant. This boundary is the entrance between the open space and the forest, as in this case.
In addition to the conditional border, there was something invisible to the eye, like a film from a soap bubble. As if before the forest there is one sphere - behind the film in the forest - another sphere - the territory, and so on.
And such a division is everywhere - even walking along the same road, you can cross several such invisible films - borders.
As if the space consisted of bees' houses - of honeycombs and each space differed from the other in completely different sensations.
Often, such invisible borders are very difficult to cross, and sometimes it is simply impossible. The body refuses to move on for some reason.
The main principle of skiing is to take your time. Firstly, it is uncomfortable to walk in the cold with a wet back, and secondly, we never rush anywhere, especially in such a beautiful place.
So, slowly rolling and contemplating the incredible landscape of fluffy snow sparkling from the light of the Moon, I already fell into some emotion, when I heard Lulu's plaintive cry. It was something like helpless despair and doom.
We were overtaken by something also rushing along the track, some kind of shadow ... Then another, and then a whole line. Lulu wrapped her arms around a standing tree and began to slowly slide off it.
Well, I rushed to hold her.
Standing in confusion and worrying not so much about himself as about Lulu, and thinking about how we will go back now, I sat down next to her, right on a snowdrift.
Shadows continued to flicker with enviable regularity, some distant screams, squeals, even curses were heard, but something was not quite ordinary in these sounds.
I noticed, that the movement of the shadows was not erratic. And only then I did notice, that the shadows were on the skis! And they competed among themselves. So, this is where these exclamations come from - someone was not inferior to the ski track, someone was cheating, trying to cut the distance.
Grabbing Lulu by the arm, we, with all our strength, rolled further, going round the clearing, trying to slip through unnoticed.
Then we noticed, that they were driving around us, writing out a pretzel and examining us with curiosity, various silhouettes - bluish-white penumbra - almost merging with snowdrifts.
However, they did not cause any harm to us, and, on the contrary, behaved extremely friendly, although of course with a grain of distrust.
1.2
Way.
Lulu and I were so shocked by what happened to us over the past few hours, that we lost track of time.
Having looked at each other, we are white with fear, having gathered the remains of our strength, hastily rolled on with the only desire to leave this forest as quickly, as possible.
Suddenly, Lulu grabbed my sleeve, pointed to the footprints leading to a nearby secluded clearing, visible behind rare trees.
“Let's close the distance here,” she whispered with barely moving lips.
Following these tracks, we cautiously moved forward.
Finally, among the snowdrifts, we noticed something.
In the middle of the clearing there was something resembling a scene!
Some actors were walking in the middle of the stage, and around it we noticed a lot of spectators.
Both the actors and the audience consisted of the same shadows, that we met on the track.
We couldn't believe our eyes!
Looking closer, Lulu and I stopped, rooted to the spot.
On the stage, there was obviously some kind of a performance!
The main character seemed to be a transparent blue silhouette of one of the skiers, like a Ghost.
He drew something on the stage, covered slightly with snow, then abruptly erased what he had drawn, and began to draw again.
At the same time, he, explosively and extremely emotionally, shouted something into the darkness, as if conducting a heated discussion with someone.
Then he calmed down for a while, after which everything began anew.
We didn't know what to do.
While Lulu and I were deciding how to hide out unnoticed, the Ghost shouted at us to approach him.
Lulu's legs buckled again and, losing consciousness, she again began to fall into a snowdrift.
I quickly grabbed her by the arms, and we stood there for a while until she felt better.
Having looked at each other, cursing everything in the world, Lulu and I, falling knee-deep, hobbled to the Strange Skier.
We went out into a clearing, filled with sparkling moonlight.
The audience silently parted in front of us, so that we could come closer.
In the very middle of the scene, the Ghost, having trampled on a rather large circle, drew some incomprehensible figures and graphics.
Finally, we made our way to him in fear and indecision.
He told us to climb onto the stage.
So, in a semi-swooning state, Lulu and I stood at night, in the forest, in the middle of the stage, among the multitude of spectators, like actors of the Shadow Theater.
Transparent Skier stood opposite and peered at us for a long time, trying to see something.
Then, turning away, peering at the audience and slapping himself on the sides, he exclaimed
- No, it can't be !!
- What can't be? Lulu and I exclaimed in bewilderment.
“No, nothing,” he replied.
And immediately added.
- You know, as long as I can remember myself, I never cease to be amazed at the sense of humor of the one, who created our world and controls everything!
- I thought it was impossible to surprise me with anything!
- This time I was ready for anything, I expected to see anyone, but not you !!
Then he and all the audience burst out laughing so madly, that Lulu and I felt a little creepy.
Shifting from foot to foot, we looked first at each other, then at the Ghost.
Finally, he calmed down, and began to look at the sparkling snow and the moon.
Forgetting about us, he seemed to dissolve somewhere in his world, breathing deeply in a crystal shining light flooded around us.
Finally, taking a deep breath, he solemnly said:
- On behalf of all the travelers, who came before you, the ancient Moon, the Stars, this Forest and fluffy snow, Greetings! he shouted theatrically.
- The path you have embarked on today will make your life happy, giving you many discoveries, or it will ruin you!
- It will depend primarily on yourself.
Lulu and I thought we were just being played and decided to laugh at the unfortunate, as is often the case.
“Yes, but we haven’t entered any Path,” Lulu and I replied at once, fearing to upset the Strange Skier.
“We just came to go skiing,” we babbled.
To which he laughed again, so that snow fell from the surrounding firs.
- Nobody is skiing in this Forest, at this time, just like that !!
A strange feeling never ceased to leave us, as if we were on the stage of some kind of theater of the absurd.
Then, once again, looking at us intently, the Ghost did not calm down:
- All, who follow this Path will face many difficult trials.
1.3
Life.
Having calmed down a bit, we noticed, that the Ghost is not so terrible, and decided to ask what he meant.
Collecting his thoughts, our new friend, as if nothing had happened, continued his story, as if we were part of some of his new performance:
- All those walking, having completed a significant part of the Path, mark two important Rules that will greatly help beginners.
- They can be called Two Basic Methods.
- Of course, it’s useless to retell someone else’s experience, but I’ll try it anyway,” said Strange Skier.
- I have traveled a lot around the world. I have seen many miracles and variety of life.
- But, despite the development of Science, wherever I am, disputes about what Life is do not subside among the inhabitants.
- It would seem such a simple question.
- But to which no one will answer you.
- Oddly enough, modern alchemists, wizards and scientists will tell you about the most difficult things in the most complicated form.
- From whose explanations you will not understand anything in the end. But they all fall silent at once, when the question is about the simplest things.
- The simpler the question, the more they fall into a stupor.
- And since no one can answer us, there is nothing left to do but resolve this issue ourselves, continued the Transparent Skier.
- Like this? Lulu asked, patting herself and jumping up to keep warm.
- Let's try to figure it out, he continued.
- What is life?
- Everything, that surrounds us, you will answer me the answer learned from childhood. But this answer not clarifies anything for us.
- It starts much more interesting, when you start to understand further.
- What is the difference between Living Objects and Non-Living Objects, and why did such a division appear?
Lulu and I had such an appearance that the Ghost, sighing heavily, decided to continue right away.
- With the first inhabitants, the understanding came to them, that their bodies can be in two states - Alive and Inanimate.
- Of course, this discovery shocked them, and they automatically began to spread this division to the entire surrounding world.
- When compared, the inhabitants naturally considered themselves to be the standard of Life.
- What is considered Alive?
- Creatures with similar processes?
- The animals are clearly alive.
- And the plants?
- Most of the inhabitants will agree, although with great doubts.
- And the mountains? Sky ? Water? Our planet ? Our Star? Moon at last?
- It's already more difficult here. Very few will agree, since of the similar processes with the inhabitants, they have nothing in common.
- And your grandmother's cookies, skis, jackets on you?
- Everyone here unanimously recognizes these things as Inanimate.
- What can you notice from all this?
- Only one.
- That nothing is clear.
- In fact, it was possible to drop this question and forget about it forever.
- It would be a great idea, if not for one But.
- Most of the inhabitants really do not care, but not to those who follow the Path.
- Inhabitants are constantly looking to distinguish themselves from the rest of the world.
- Starting from the forms of existence, ending with differences in the structure of bodies.
- Moreover, they noticed that there is not a single inhabitant identical to another!
- They have learned to find differences very well.
- Over time, their interest in understanding the world increased, and they learned to build devices to help them in this.
- Absolutely all these devices are divided, no matter how paradoxical and old it sounds, on the same principle as vision. They try to see the infinitely small and infinitely distant, like blind moles.
- Glass tubes such as microscope and telescope help them with this. They literally attack the world around them, armed with their devices.
- But by their differences, the inhabitants fenced themselves with high fences from the world around them.
- Instead of walking the Path of knowledge, they spend their lives climbing over endless barriers.
- Let's leave them alone and forget about them,” said the Ghost.
- Now, on to the main point, continued Strange Skier.
- What is common between Living and Non-living objects ??
Lulu and I looked at each other and shrugged in bewilderment.
- This is what you have to find out in the very first place!!
- It is necessary to find this common property, that destroys the barrier.
- This applies not only to Living and Inanimate objects, but in general to all.
- Why is it so important ??
- Because, only in the case when there are no barriers and fences between the Researcher and the outside world, only then real success awaits the one walking.
- The world around itself, step by step, begins to reveal its secrets.
- The method of removing barriers between the Researcher and the world around him, is the First Method of cognizing the world.
1.4
True.
Strange Skier walked around the stage, around us, peering somewhere into the distance into the endless darkness of the sky, the Moon, and the Stars.
Lulu and I began to freeze a little, and slowly moved back.
“That's not all!” The ghost called out to us, and we had to return to our place.
“What I’ll tell you now, no one will ever tell you again. Moreover, the one, who knows it. But this is of extreme importance.
- We know the Method of knowing the world and it is excellent. This is the first half of success.
- But the second, perhaps the most interesting and exciting question remains:
- And what, in fact, are we looking for ???
- What is all this for ?? This is not clear which Way ???
- We lived without it before, we will continue to live!
The strange transparent silhouette of the Skier froze and stared at us.
- The point is, that this Path is not chosen.
- It chose you itself.
From the side of the audience, watching this performance, there was a murmur and exclamations of approval.
Lulu and I staggered back and backed away.
“Yes, it’s really strange, but it’s true,” he replied.
“There’s nothing you can do.
- Let's not waste time on such a beautiful night, we have a lot to do !! he exclaimed so that the dozing owls scattered about.
- So we come to the most grandiose and mysterious question.
- What is all this, this Path for, and what are we going to look for ??
- Let's start simple.
- What are most of the inhabitants looking for all their lives ??
- The truth! we answered without hesitation.
- Yes, perhaps I agree with you, but with one clarification.
- What is Truth?
We thought about it, then Lulu replied:
- Truth is what is called Truth.
- Everything can be divided into Truth and Lies.
- The Truth can be different, but it reflects the Reality, and the Lie reflects the Fiction.
- Therefore, everyone is looking for the Truth in life.
- Fine! Yes, you know everything better than me! exclaimed the Specter.
- In the world there are two directions of knowledge of the world, two schools.
- The first, the ancient, is Religious with all Philosophical trends.
- The second is modern Science.
- What is their main difference?
- Religion and Philosophy use the terms Infinity and Eternity.
- Modern science prides itself on the accuracy of calculations.
- Let's figure out, which of these directions is correct.
- Everything is clear with Infinity and Eternity. When you don't know something, there is nothing better than referring to them.
- Modern science relies on the accuracy of measurements.
“But if you look closely at modern science, you will find that all dimensions also rush to infinity.
- It is also impossible to define anything precisely in it!
- Even all modern key constants, which scientists rely on, are not such !!
- There is no difference between these two directions.
“They are both blind.
- Let's say you know the Truth.
- Suppose, as amended, that modern Science is close to it.
- Have you ever wondered, how far your Truth spreads in space and time ???
Lulu and I looked at each other in bewilderment.
- What do you mean, how far ?? asked Lulu.
- Of course, for the same eternity and infinity !!
Strange Skier continued
- You know that Science is considered a Science for that, because it deals with numbers.
- Modern scientists are constantly giving out new information, how far they have advanced in the study of space and time.
- To date, they have calculated the age of the universe and the most distant object they have discovered.
- That is, Truth in modern science still has some kind of limitation.
- If we compare all these facts, it turns out that in fact, no Truth exists !!!
- So, what is everyone looking for ???
- What is not ??
- When scientists ask for gigantic money for the next research, they always motivate it by looking for something specific.
- And naturally, they find it !! the Ghost burst out laughing.
- The path along which you will move is full of real mysteries and secrets.
- The real secret is the one, you don't even have the slightest idea about. It is impossible to seek that without knowing what.
- It is never possible to open a mystery yourself. Only mystery can open itself to the traveler.
- You will never know your ultimate goal. Tha Way itself decides for you, what secret and in what sequence to reveal to you, as soon as you are ready.
- You will walk along it, turning your heads to the sides, wondering with a sinking heart at what the way will show you. Without dwelling on one thing.
- Those, who walk, often call it the Road to Nowhere.
- Following the Road to Nowhere is the Second main Method of knowing the world.
1.5
Ban.
Strange Skier took a break and wandered around the stage for a bit, pondering something.
Then, coming close to us, he spoke quietly:
- I do not know a single Path in this world, where the traveler is given such freedom.
- The only thing you need to learn to do is to listen carefully to yourself and follow the prompts of the world around you.
- Over time, you will learn.
Strange Skier stepped aside, took a deep breath in crystal moonlight.
“But on this Road to Nowhere there is one Prohibition.
- Everyone, without exception, who violates it, will be severely punished.
Lulu and I, after trying to warm up a little, froze in place. Everything inside was compressed so, that it became difficult to breathe.
The ghost continued:
- Since childhood, of course, you already had your own opinion on many things.
- Often your point of view did not coincide with what others told you.
- At the same time, there was almost always some kind of dispute. Various types of debates can be seen all over the place.
- The inhabitants love to argue about any reason and on any topic. It is even believed that the Truth is born in disputes.
- But you and I know that there is no Truth. Any dispute is a waste of your energy and time.
- But that's not the point.
- When you argue about some everyday affairs with a neighbor, this is one thing.
- When you argue with someone about something important, for example, how the world works, it's completely different.
- Imagine that you have had a heated debate at some scientific meeting about the structure of the Universe.
- You come home in the evening.
- The debate ended long ago, all opponents went home.
- But the dispute has not gone anywhere.
- He stayed with you.
- Your opponent has been gone for a long time, but you are constantly continuing this Dispute.
- He's inside you.
- Now answer my question - with whom do you continue to argue when you are alone ???
- With yourself ???
- Nonsense !!
- Remember once and for all, Strange Skier continued in a trembling voice.
- There are always three sides to any dispute.
- In our case, any dispute begins with a discussion of two opponents.
- But no one pays attention to the very object of the dispute.
- This is the most important and mysterious part.
- More precisely, not the object of discussion itself, but its Master.
Lulu and I sat down on a snowdrift, unable to stand and refusing to understand anything.
- Yes, in this world everything has its own Master.
- When you come home in the evening, eat your dinner and continue the Dispute,
you continue the Dispute not with your opponent, but directly with the Master of the subject of discussion.
- And this is the main danger.
- When someone starts a Dispute of the inhabitants with you, you never know, who is in front of you and what his motives are.
- In the vast majority of cases, the basis of any Dispute is the usual vanity.
- But not in our case.
- The road you follow is full of both discoveries and dangers. You need to learn, how to react with lightning speed to the slightest changes around.
- The one who calls you to the Dispute provokes you to inevitable death.
- What is your life for the Master, say of the stars ??
- Nothing.
- Almost all the inhabitants involved in the Disputes about grandiose phenomena calmly end their lives in a warm bed, living to old age.
“But there are talented and motivated researchers among them.
- At some point, the Master of what the dispute is about notices the arguing, and gets involved in this discussion.
- He becomes interested.
- The argument becomes something like a kitten playing with a mouse.
- What is needed to win the Dispute ??
- Show the Truth.
- When a disputant tells the Universe how it works, it causes laughter from the outside.
- And at the same time, horror for the fate of the disputant.
- At some time, another, countless reality is revealed to the disputant and he simply disappears, or instantly loses his mind.
1.6
Protection.
We were all silent for a while.
The spectators were also silent.
In the distance, in a neighboring glade, fervent shouts and laughter of participants in unusual cross-country skiing races were heard.
The ghost either listened to them, smiling to itself, then looked at the branches of the centuries-old oak trees surrounding the clearing.
Then, looking somewhere in the distance at some kind of lights, the Strange Skier said thoughtfully:
- When I first learned that Truth does not exist, I, to put it mildly, was surprised.
- But later, I was haunted by one single question:
- And why ???
- Why is there nothing in the Universe that could be hooked on and used as a fulcrum?!?
“All our calculations are nothing but a pitiful and approximate description of our primitive life!
Lulu and I certainly didn't know.
- Imagine a wild Beast and a Hunter, the Ghost continued thoughtfully.
- Perfect Beast and Perfect Hunter.
- Imagine that the Hunter has calculated in advance all the movements of the Beast.
- In this case, there is nothing easier to set up traps and wait.
- But this is unreal.
- In its unpredictability, impossibility to describe by any methods and calculate, and there is the invulnerability of the Universe, its Protection.
“This Hunt cannot be completed.
- Therefore, it does not and cannot have rules.
- Walking this way, you will learn many amazing things, that you have not even the slightest idea about.
- Of course, you will immediately want to share what you have learned with others.
“But you will instantly notice, that you cannot do it.
- Your knowledge will be so specific, that the inhabitants, at best, will not understand you. They will begin to laugh at you and shy away from you, like lepers, thinking that you are insane.
- What to take from the sick and the insane ?? others will think.
- Thus, the Road will protect you.
“Many travelers have traveled this path, but the knowledge that was revealed to them is all different. What you learn will only concern you.
- You can't share anything with anyone. Nobody will understand you.
- It's pretty sad, but this is how your flawless Defense will be arranged.
1.7
Rewarding.
From what said Strange Skier, head was spinning. Of course, we didn’t understand anything, everything happened so unexpectedly.
He turned slowly and waved his hand to show us the way back.
The shadows, that surrounded the stage, silently parted and watched us as we made our way back.
Lulu and I hurriedly rolled on.
So, we got to the central glade. It was impossible to go around it, because of the high snowdrifts, and the ski track was only there.
What a sight before us!
In addition to the snow-white sparkling splendor of snowdrifts and huge snow caps on the trees, a huge bonfire was burning in the middle of the clearing.
Round dances of shadows - ghosts crowded around here and there.
Everyone enthusiastically discussed something, sang songs, hugged seeing old friends.
No less ancient owls hooted on ancient spruces.
And I noticed more.
This is why the shadows tried not to cheat or cut the distance. On all the tall trees around the perimeter, the posts of the most real ... witches ... but if witches exist, then it was they!
Only after a while, I did notice him.
He was almost a dwarf, a cloak to the ground, hair too ... a half-dressed hood on his head.
He moved extremely energetically, although it turned out rather awkwardly, although he was not fat.
It was felt, that he was the main one at this strange event.
He knew many, everyone knew him.
He managed to be with everyone, exchange some kind of greetings and jokes with everyone. Ask everyone about the latest news, as if he had not seen anyone for a long time and is extremely happy to meet everyone again.
Nobody seemed to be scared of us, or rather, we stopped shying away, and did not even lose anything.
Strange grandfather, as I noted to myself, slowly glanced at us sideways, he had a rather piercing brilliance at the same time.
The fun was in full swing, the participants of the competition, and it was the most that neither is the competition, impatiently awaited the announcement of the winners, and everyone could not wait to finally see them on a podium, specially built for this!
So, the winners were proclaimed, and, to the delightful shouts of other participants, who had filled the entire huge clearing by that time, took their places on the podium.
All participants rushed to discuss the past Olympiad among themselves.
There were also conflicts.
There were also those, who believed that they had been treated unfairly, not counting some points.
But in general, the witches who controlled the observance of the rules, did an excellent job and quickly calm down the raging upstarts.
The main feast began, and everyone gave each other gifts.
Then I noticed that the mysterious grandfather walked towards us.