Raising A Human

Moshe rises before Mohag to tend to the fire in the small cave. Throughout the night, they have been smoking a wild pig, three birds and some fish. Moshe decided that the boy would benefit from some culture and ceremony. It will enhance his human experience. Tonight, they will have a feast and celebrate a monthly holiday. It has been practiced by his tribal community for many generations, the New Moon Night.

They have been dwelling in the cave for a week now. Mohag’s development, physically and mentally, seems to be occurring faster. He appears in physical stature to be an older teenager. His intellect, his awareness of his surroundings, his clear understanding of the natural world, is beyond the average human’s experience. Moshe believes that the boy’s mind operates at the genius level.

He declares that no work or chores are to be performed this day. In preparation for this celebration, they both had attended to extra chores the day before. Today they will rest, play, eat, or do nothing at all. It is a holiday. Tonight, they will light a fire and make offerings to the Moon. Tonight, the cycle begins again, and the world is reborn.

For several nights, Moshe directed the boy’s attention to the moon and explained its stages. Mohag is interested in the stories of Moshe’s people. He tells of tribes who celebrate the full moon and other celestial events. The Imohag people know that the dark night of the New Moon is the beginning of the cycle of the world.

The people view the new moon as a time of renewal, restoration, and forgiveness. If one has passed angry words at a neighbor during the cycle that is ending, a gift must be given. A clearing of all debts is expected on the New Moon Night. The people are willing to perform these offerings for this celebration revives and unifies the community. They are reminded that all are responsible for every member of the tribe.

They have a lunch of berries and fruit. They lounge in the shade of the cave but sit close enough to the entrance to feel the breeze blowing in from the sea. “Moshe, my father, I enjoyed the stories you have told. When you tell of your people in the desert, I think that they live like we do. Your people seem to be very good humans. But when you speak of the modern world, I become confused. The modern world seems to have people who are very different than your desert family.”

“Yes, Mohag, it is true. The modern world offers many conveniences that my tribe do not experience. But it is also a very complicated system. There are dangers and threats that my people have never known, and for that I am thankful.”

“Moshe, my father, you have lived in both worlds, of the desert and of the cities. Which way is proper? What is the best way for a human to live in the world?”

Moshe laughs. “Well, Mohag, you have gone right to the heart of the matter. What is the right way to live, you ask?” Moshe sighs and looks into the sky to gather his thoughts.

“Humans do not decide where they will be born. Often in the world, where you are born, decides most of the circumstances of your existence.

“I am fortunate to have lived my younger years with my people away from the stresses of the modern world. The Imohag are sensible and honest, though by the modern world’s standards we are considered primitive.

“My early instructions for life were taught to me by the entire tribe, not just my father and mother. I learned by watching the interactions of the people. I will share with you, the things that I have learned, from the desert and the city, on how to dwell and live with others in the world.”

Moshe pulls his legs underneath him in a fold, straightens his back, and looks inside himself, searching for the words to explain his own philosophy of life. He received much from his people, his mother and father, but mostly from his father. As Moshe learned to live in the modern world, he carried those teachings inside himself. He has encountered other truths, for wisdom is all around, even in the modern world, one just must search for it.

“I believe the most important thing, in all our interactions in the world, whether it be with other humans or the natural world of animals and plants, is that we should offer respect, first and foremost. Respect means that one values the other. It means that one understands there is worth in the other, even if that other is an enemy or a wild and dangerous animal.

“I have heard some humans say, ‘If you respect me, I will respect you.’ That may seem sensible, but I say, I will respect another upon the first encounter, before I even come to know them. I will offer respect, for this is who I am. If the respect is not returned, I do not become disrespectful. One should not let someone who is angry, mad, or hateful, control one’s actions.”

Mohag’s eyes shine as he listens to Moshe’s instructions. The boy’s expression is one of wonder. Moshe thinks that he has never had another human listen to him so seriously, with fascination, and maybe even adoration.

“There is much trouble in the world. There is war, anger, and hatred, because most modern humans are afraid of others who are different than themselves. People who are fearful often react with aggression.

“I believe that all humans should strive for peace. For any differences that we may have with another, we should first offer peace, and seek a resolution. I do not wish to harm others in violence, nor do I wish to be harmed. I choose to offer peace to the world, in the hope that peace is offered in return.”

Mohag waits quietly while his instructor is speaking, but Moshe can see in it the boy’s eyes. He has a question that he wishes to ask. He pauses and motions for Mohag to speak.

“Moshe, my father, you used violence when you protected me from the cat. I am confused, as I understand that you also offered respect to the cat.”

“Ah my boy, you are very observant. I did respect the cat and lived with it in peace. But when it was going to harm you, I could not let it. I have been chosen...” Moshe shakes his head with a smile and nods to the sea, “...to care for you. I had to do the right thing and protect you. Letting you continue to live and grow, that is the right thing to do, even if it forced me to do something that I did not want to.”

Mohag’s smile widens, “I am glad that you did the right thing, that night” Moshe reaches to the boy and rubs his head. “And Moshe, my father, how will I know what the is right thing to do. There is so much of the world that I do not know. How will I decide what is the right thing?”

“Hah...my son, my Mohag, you have just asked a question that I once asked of my father, so long ago. You and I are very much alike, for this I am fortunate.

“Even now, inside you, in your thoughts,” Moshe points to the boy’s chest, “in your heart, you know the right things. I have watched you growing, changing, and learning. There is much good in you already. Whenever you need direction, look inside your own heart, and you will know what is right.”

For their afternoon celebration, they play a game of futbol on the beach. Moshe even scores once. He realizes that Mohag allowed him to make the shot. “Ha!” Moshe thinks, “The boy has learned to pity me.” They journey to the pond to swim for a while. They return to the cave and paint new pictures on the wall.

While painting, Mohag comments, “Moshe, my father, I have been thinking about how to live a human life. I like the way that you explain it. I will try to live as you have described. I think that your instructions will help me live the right way.”

“My son, I think you are going to be the best kind of human. So, tell me, Mohag, what have you learned from my few words?”

Mohag looks up into the sky, as he gathers the words for his response, “To live the human life, I will offer respect first to all. I will seek to understand the worth of all. I will offer peace and not respond to others with violence. I will try to do the right thing.”

Moshe laughs, he places his art tools on the floor and reaches to hug Mohag, “Oh my boy, you fill my heart with joy. You are so brilliant!”

“Moshe, my father, I think that I understand your explanation of ‘doing the right thing’. You did not want to hurt the cat, but you cared more for me, and had to strike it. You chose to protect me. So then, is one forced to do something they do not want to do, in order to do the right thing?”

“Yes, my son, sometimes. Your thoughts are very deep. I guess that I should not be surprised. Everything about you has developed so quickly, your body, your mind, your understanding.

“Sometimes to do the right thing is not easy. Sometimes it is difficult, even painful. Sometimes, because it is hard, others might turn away and do nothing. But if one looks truly into one’s own heart, the right thing will be known. Then one must find the courage to act.”

Their evening feast is the main attraction. The smoked meats, the sweet fruit and berries are satisfying. The sun has set, and they travel to the beach to light the bonfire. Moshe has been fermenting some berries. He pours the berry wine upon the ground, in front of the fire. The wine is an offering to the New Moon.

The two of them are enjoying the bright blaze of celebration. The night sky sparkles, celebrating the moonless night. Waves splash against the beach. The salty breeze is humid and warm. Mohag breaks his meditative gaze into the fire, “I feel that there are others like me, out there in other places in the world.”

“You said, ‘I feel’ and not ‘I know.’ How is it that this feeling came to you?” Moshe knows. It is a result of the lights ritual.

“Moshe, my father, I think that I feel them, the others who are like me. I think that I am to be joined with them.” Mohag’s face seems older, his eyes are filled with dread and his brow is wrinkled with worry.

“Are they lights in the water sharing this information with you?”

“I am not certain.” He searches for the words to explain. “When you sleep, do you see pictures and different scenes, as if you are awake?”

“Dreaming? You are describing dreaming. Mohag, do you dream of these others?”

“Yes, that is it, Moshe, my father. At night, it seems to be happening more. And when I awake each morning, I think that I am beginning to remember the lights that you say, I stand before each night.”

“As I suspected, they are instructing you for a purpose, just as I am instructing you to be a human.” Moshe feels the heavy burden of worry in his chest.

They return to the cave and prepare for the night. Moshes brings a burning branch into the cave. He wants to see the painting that Mohag was working on. The painting displays a silhouette a of a human form, portrayed in blue. The shape is repeated several times in a row. Each shape is depicted in different colors. “Mohag, my son, what is this?”

Mohag points proudly to the blue figure, “This is me and the others like me, are here.” Moshe spreads his hand to the different colored human forms.

“You are a talented artist, my son.”

“And you taught me to paint.”

The night of celebration ends. The moon has been honored and all begins anew. The day’s activities and the feast they consumed have left both Moshe and Mohag tired and ready for a night’s rest. Moshe sleeps a few hours until he hears Mohag rise, in trance to the lights. He follows his son to the beach. Even Moshe obeys the lights’ command.

He awakens at sunrise and discovers that Mohag has left the cave. Perhaps he needed to visit the latrine ditch. He starts a fire in the small pit and walks to the beach to check the fish trap.

Mohag recently replaced the cloth bag with a grass weaved box trap. The device has three compartments that are designed to shut a trap door once the line is drawn in. The boy continues to improve his skills at inventing items to enhance their existence.

Moshe draws the line in, he looks out over the waves and sees the large vessel on the horizon. His heart swells with excitement. He drops the line of the fish trap and runs back to the cave. He needs to bring some fire. There is still a bonfire pile stacked there on the beach. He will ignite a fire and hopefully catch the attention of the passing vessel.

The fire starts easily in the calm wind of the early morning. Moshe sits tending to the fire and watching the horizon. The vessel is now closer to the island. Moshe watches it for a few minutes. He rises to journey back to the cave. He is concerned about Mohag. It is unlike him, to disappear without announcing his intentions.

He runs to the cave, shouting the boy’s name. Mohag is not there. Moshe runs to the pond, back to the beach and then the forest, all the while shouting out for his son. He finds him, crouched down in the forest. It is the exact place where the cat had attacked him.

“Mohag, my son, I have been worried about you. Are you okay?”

Mohag’s head hangs in shame, he does not want to look at Moshe. Moshe feels a heavy dread watching the boy, there on the ground, pounding the stone hammer into the dirt, over and over, with tears streaming from his eyes.

“My son, are you hurt? What are you doing here?” Moshe kneels and embraces the boy.

Mohag pleads, “My father, I was wrong. I am sorry that I was wrong.”

“What nonsense are you speaking? Come with me to the beach. Something wonderful is happening!” Moshe grabs Mohag’s arm and begins dragging him towards the beach.

They stand at the water’s edge, Moshe points to the incoming vessel. “Look Mohag, we are going to be rescued!”

“I just became aware of their arrival this morning...” Mohag confesses. “How I wish you could stop them from taking me!”

“They are not going to take you away from me, no, I will not allow that! They are coming to rescue us!” Moshe points at the ship again.

“No, my father, they are coming for me.” Mohag is nervous and swings the stone hammer back and forth, in front of him.

“Moshe, my father, I was wrong.” Tears roll down Mohag’s face.

“Wrong? Mohag, what is happening with you?”

“I told you that you would never lose me, but I was wrong. They are coming to take me away from you, and neither of us can prevent them from doing so.”

“What? No, Mohag, you are confused. We are being rescued! You will see my son.”

“After I stood on the beach last night, I became aware of their plan.” Mohag is gazing at the approaching marine vessel. “Soon, a smaller vehicle will depart from that ship. There will be two of them inside it. They will take me away.”

“Mohag, I am not sure what you are speaking of, but if they are coming here, I will speak to them. They will take us both. You will see.” Moshe looks in Mohag’s eyes. He does not like what he sees. He has never seen Mohag appear sad before.

“My father, I did not know until last night. If I had known, I would have ended my own existence. If I had known what they were planning, I would have terminated myself to prevent them.”

Moshe grabs the boy by his shoulders, “No, Mohag, never speak like that. I will not let you harm yourself! Whatever we are now facing, we will face it together.”

The boy’s voice breaks in sadness, “Moshe, my father, they are coming to kill you.”

“What is this Mohag? I do not understand. Surely, I can reason with them. I will try my son.”

An idea comes to Mohag. He takes Moshe by the arm, “Come father, follow me.” The boy leads him away from the water, across the beach and moves towards the forest. “My father do you remember the crevice on the back side of the northern cliff.”

Moshe senses an ominous presence. He is starting to believe what his son is telling him. “Yes, where we had followed some animal tracks that went down into earth. I see that you have a plan. Do you think that we can hide down there?”

The boy grabs Moshe in a tight hug. He buries his face against his father. He is sobbing. He tries to compose himself and pushes away to look into his father’s eyes. After a somber and lengthy silence, Mohag answers, “Yes Moshe, my father, that is the plan, let us hurry.”

The two have cleared the forest and are ascending the hill that travels up to the cliff’s ridge. The boy pushes Moshe to run in front of him. Mohag needs him to be in front. His tears are filling his eyes and blurring his vision. He does not want his father to see him weeping anymore.

The land’s incline causes their pace to slow. Moshe still leads. Mohag jogs behind his father. Moshe hears something moving through the air. A rush of wind comes from behind him. Mohag swings down the stone hammer in a full circle. He strikes Moshe on the back of his head. The sound of the impact echoes in the forest below.

Moshe lurches forward and falls to the ground. He pushes himself up on all fours. He tries to raise himself up on his knees, but Mohag’s second strike interrupts his progress. Bone breaks and tissue is smashed, and Moshe falls into darkness. He falls into the arms of his ancestors.

Mohag drops the bloody hammer. His legs are weak, he weaves back and forth to find his balance. He stretches his arms out, hands grasping in the air, seeking support. The pain in his stomach is moving up his body. A river of fire reaches his throat, and he opens his mouth and screams. He screams like an animal, like a beast, like a wild thing. He screams until no breath comes forth.

He collapses to the ground. Gravity controls him, and he cannot rise. The world spins and his stomach revolts. Mohag pushes his head to the side. Streams of vomit are expelled, until the heaving is dry and leaves him gasping for air.

The whimpering, sobbing, broken human crawls across the ground, reaching for his father. He places his head on Moshe’s back. “Forgive me, my father. I had to spare you from the others. Their weapons are powerful and terrible. Please... forgive me. I had to do the right thing.”

Mohag lies upon the dead body of his father, in silence, in mourning. He is aware of the smaller vessel on the beach. He can sense the two security officers who are walking towards him. They call his name, “Sankara!” He will tell them that his name is Mohag Sankara. He rises and walks towards the officers.

One officer asks, “Are you ready to go?”

Mohag speaks in almost a whisper. “Yes.”

“Where is the host? He must be terminated.”

“My father is already dead. I terminated him.”

“What is wrong with you? Why is your face wet?”

“I am responding biologically to my pain. I have experienced a great loss.”

“The host was to be terminated upon our arrival, why did you terminate him prematurely?”

“So, you could not kill him with your fire weapon. He would have died in great pain. My father did not deserve your judgment. I spared him the agony that you would have caused.”

After confirming that the host had been terminated, the two officers lead Mohag to their vessel. He does not resist. Mohag feels defeated, like he has failed a great test, like he has failed at being a human. He grieves for his father.