10.Leaving Home

His dream was a secret
a secret he did not want to share with anyone
but like any other secret
it became a thorn in his soul
the more he tried to suppress
the more
he felt perturbed
Finally he could not
hide his secret anymore
he had to share it with someone
He went to see his uncle
A poet and a philosopher
A wise old man
who
after listening to his dream
advised him
to leave the town
as soon as possible
and travel
to discover dreamers all over the world
and learn how
their dreams affect their lives
and how those dreams
get passed on generation after generation
as songs and folk tales
His uncle also told him
his ancestors
who were also dreamers
and did not leave town
were put in jail
or
were so tormented
they lost their minds
After pondering
for a few days
what his wise uncle had advised
he decided to leave
Before he parted with his motherland
he went to see his mother
a tired old woman
who had sacrificed all she had
for her family
and was hoping
to grow old in peace
His mother told him
she was disappointed
he did not get married
buy a house
have children
and lead a traditional life
He kissed his mother
her forehead
knowing full well
he might never see her again
and left the courtyard
When he met with his father
his father told him
he hoped one day
to see his son
a religious scholar
delivering sermons
leading prayers
guiding people to heaven
He embraced his father
kissed his beard
knowing very well
he might never see him again
and left the mosque
When he met with his younger sister
she told him
she suffered being a girl
and wished
he would protect her
and defend her
and help her
to be free and independent
He kissed her on the cheek
knowing very well
he might never see her again
and left the playground
When he met his sweetheart
she told him
she missed him
and hoped
they could build their future together
When he shared his plans
and invited her to join him
he saw tears in her eyes
she said
she had to nurse
her elderly mother
and serve
her suffering motherland
she could not share his dream
When he kissed her
on the lips
he knew
he might never see her again
and left her bedroom
In the end
When he met with his friends
they told him
they hoped
he would lead them
to fight for
the rights of the oppressed
and the minorities

When he shared with them
he was going to leave home
and travel the world
and might never come back
one of them
expressed a desire
to join him on that journey
a journey of unknown destination
Finally one dark night
he and his friend
quietly left their homeland
and started their journey
on the road less traveled.