The Grand Garden
"I come from afar, a faraway place named the Grand Garden, "said Tal-Mishem with a soft voice filled with nostalgia and perhaps many memories. “Its valleys are always covered with green, fresh pasture and the rivers run everywhere and without end, Tal-Mishem added.
"It is a place I should have never left, but like many others of my age, I ventured into the unknown. I passed the door to the humans’ world," Tal-Mishem said as if speaking to himself.
"What door? Sarah asked curiously.
"A door that we have to find soon if we want him to go back to his family again, "Peter said to Sarah before TM.
"Do you know where to look for the door? Sarah asked alarmed.
"When the signs come I'll know where to look for the door Sarah but let me finish how my trip began for now,“ Tal-Mishem said and went to say more. “For many years as I got older my parents warned me about a door. A door that opens and one can travel to many worlds. But like many others before me, I didn't listen. I was curious perhaps and maybe disobedient too. I wanted to know it all. That is when my adventure really begins. I wanted to see other worlds.
“I got in trouble like that,“ Tal-Mishem said as if not believing he had made the same mistake as other youngsters. “I wanted to know others of my own kind in far nations. One day, against my parents’ wishes I followed other voices,” Tal-Mishem said recounting his trip. He paused.
“Please tell us more. What happened then? Sarah asked again.
“Well, other young camels like me, had gone and returned from many places. I thought also about all those wonders. I wanted to see them. I left my world through the door and ended here,” Tal-Mishem said.
“You know exactly where and when the door may open,” asked Peter worried.
“Well, it’s a door no human can see. It opens only once every five years and the last month of every leap year only while the full moon shines. At the end of the full moon, it closes again. It does not open until five years later, "Tal-Mishem explained.
Peter didn't dare to ask fearing the interruption would stop TalMishem from recounting his story. Sarah wanted to know what a leap year was but waited. Tal-Mishem explained patiently that a leap year only occurred every five years and it had an extra day according to the celestial order of the planets.
"Where was I? Tal-Mishem asked wanting to continue.
"When you were saying you had left through the door, " Sarah reminded him.
"Oh, yes. Once a camel goes through the door it may only go back if he fills a mission in his destiny," Tal-Mishem paused. “Each camel and each animal that is part of the Universal creation has a destiny to full fill. A mission let’s call it for now. One does a mission in life in different manners," added Tal-Mishem seeing the children’s faces and went on.
“I needed to do a good deed before I can find the door and go back,” Tal-Mashem said.
“You did, you helped us escape, right? "What's a good deed? Asked Sarah.
"You do something out of the goodness of your heart Sarah.
Remember when you helped Smoochy your little dog?
"Yes, I helped not to feel pain," said Sarah.
"I know Sarah. I know you did that and believe me that is a good deed too. You also loved Smoochy and that was a good deed; being kind even to animals is a good deed, Sarah,“ said Tal-Mishem, his honey-brown walnut eyes on hers.
"Well, now that you know how camels fill their destinies, let us continue, "Tal-Mishem said.
“Our world is the Grand Garden. We’re kind to each. It’s like a rule we all followed. We camels in the Grand Garden own all. Everything is ours and nothing at the same time.
Do children live there too? Asked Sarah.
No Sarah, it’s a world for animals only; all animals live like friends; we never hurt each other but the most important rule is Selfgovernment.”
“What’s that? Peter asked this time. “Each of us has received enough instruction about our free will.
One must think about the freedom of others and respect that as well. That is a universal law. It’s in our hearts from the beginning of the universe," Tal-Mishem said.
‘Are you going to be a king someday TM? Asked Sarah.
Maybe someday Sarah. I’m a prince now,” Tal-Mishem said.
"Then you have many soldiers for war and go to battles, right? added Peters.
“We have no wars as many humans do. We don’t have wars, Peter, never,” Tal-Mishem said.
Do you have a family? Sarah asked, her eyes glowing with curiosity.
We have moms and dads, and grandpa-camels too. We love and respect the old and weak. Mothers of baby camels are honored for their motherhood. Only female camels can give life to others. Our children are the heirs to our wisdom and love. They’re our future,” Tal-Mishem said and paused.
“Can we come to visit your world? Sarah asked innocently.
“Perhaps someday Sarah; don’t know when. These are some of the ways of our world. Each of us loves our family very much. We all have a mission.
Perhaps my mission was to come and meet you here. Every step we take in life takes us to our final home,“ Tal-Mishem said.
Then Tal-Mishem said, “As all creations, we have a path to follow and many steps ahead of us. Some are easy, others are not. It’s a walk that may lead us in the right direction; but, sometimes in the wrong direction too. Nobody knows for sure where that trip begins. Or where it ends, but we’ll get know at our final destination, "Tal-Mishem said.