Death is only the beginning.
Can you imagine a society where death is not abhorred and feared, but celebrated? What would it feel like to live there? Below is a short story on the subject written by my 10-year-old daughter, Julia.
Amelia had the same peculiar dream again. She was lying on a colossal podium in the center of an ancient city. Humongous crowds of her loved ones were gathered round. They danced and showered her in marigold petals. The sun, a fiery orb, was shining in the sky dispersing morning mist arisen from the azure ocean and illuminating majestic colonnades and winged sphinxes carved from white marble.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she rapidly dived out of bed. It wasn’t an appropriate time to ponder about the dream. She had a mission to accomplish! After begging the government for ten years, she would be the first time traveler in the history of humankind.
Time travel isn’t allowed because by going to the past, you can modify the future. This one was an exception. Amelia would go to the prehistoric city of Atlantis one day before it was engulfed by the murky depths of the sea. The future wasn’t at risk.
Amelia, a famous anthropologist, studies extinct cultures. She wanted to do this since she was a child because of her bizarre, repetitive dreams. Ten years ago, by the stroke of unbelievable luck, she discovered the ruins of the lost city.
And now was the time to whizz off into the time continuum! Apprehensively, Amelia entered the transparent sphere and prodded the red button. The world outside became blurry. When she could see again, the door opened with a clang. Carefully, she adjusted the minuscule ear and mouth pieces, enabling her to talk and understand foreign languages, and exited the sphere.
Amelia was at the entrance of the magnificent city and it was the one from her dreams! How was this possible? Astounded, Amelia proceeded through the huge arc. The streets were deserted, but she heard a distinct clamor of a rambling crowd. After walking for some time, she reached an immense open area full of jovial people. There was a tremendous celebration, bouquets of flowers hanging everywhere, chanting and dancing! On a high podium lay a man in luxurious robes. Not far from there, stood an important looking wizard with a penetrating gaze.
Slowly, Amelia managed to reach him. “What are you celebrating?” — she inquired, trying to outcry the cheerful crowd.
“Our king is dying,” responded the wizard.
“Wow! Was he a bad person?” asked Amelia.
“You really came from afar!” he chuckled, staring at her intently. “No, we deeply admire our king. In our culture, death is a time of great rejoicing.”
“Why?” gasped Amelia, “Are you going to miss him?”
“We are,” answered the wizard. “But we celebrate because, like birth, death is the beginning of a wonderful adventure. He’ll be reborn in many other worlds and many different forms. In one of his future lives he’ll become a woman who studies ways of foregone civilizations. He, or rather she, will be longing to come back to this city her entire life, and will succeed.”
And then, the Great Wizard of Atlantis looked into Amelia’s eyes and winked.
