Long ago, after a long and hard fought war, a King decided to tour the edges of his newly expanded kingdom. He selected among his retinue his most honorable Sage and pious Priest. After many months of traveling they approached the edges of the newly conquered land and began to hear a beautiful song echoing in the distance. Their interest peaked as they journeyed down the valley and through a wooded glade all the while beckoned by the sweet song. As they cleared the wood they discovered a towering wall that extended to infinity in the east and to an insensible distance to the west. It was composed of a beautiful white stone with no visible seams or articulation other than a small opening that darkened to blackness as it receded.
The King asked the Sage to approach the doorway and as he did letters of flame began to sprout in front of the entry. Though the words of fire burned bright and expressed a near intolerable heat, the Sage could barely restrain himself from entering the enclave as the beautiful music emanated in wave after wave and chorus after chorus. After gathering his strength and translating the inscription he returned to the company of his King and Priest. "I have grave news" he reported. "The words read: All who would enter here must leave those things they have thus far attained, for the journey to paradise is long but to arrive at last is to know the end of wanting. The Sage must abandon his scrolls, the Priest renounce his pulpit, and the King abdicate his crown."
"This is grave news indeed" declared the King. "We have waged many wars to obtain this land and expand my dominion. To abandon this noble quest now, after such great sacrifice, must surely be folly." "I to, am remit to enter" said the Sage. "It is no small sum of hours I have spent expanding my knowledge of the universe and it's workings. Truly this education should not end in oblivion." "Here, here" said the Priest. "Let us not forget my sacrifice, for I have toiled over the words of God since I was but a child, abandoning a life of wealth for that of a Holy man." Thus, as they all spake in agreement not to enter, along came a messenger.
"What is it fellow that invites you to interrupt the conversation of King and consort?"beckoned the Priest. "It is the music most Holy Father, it sings to my soul." replied the lowly messenger. As the King prepared to reprimand his subject the Sage raised his hand to his lips and spoke directly to the message runner "Well my poor man, you may enter this passage only if you are willing to part with all you posses." "I possess so little, and would gladly forsake it all to spend my days amongst such stirring and soulful song."said the subject with his eyes aglow. "Enter then, but do not tarry overlong and report back with tidings of what lay beyond this impenetrable barrier." so commanded the King. Sure of step and stride the young man made straight for the opening and before long had vanished into the thickest dark.
After a long silence the Sage began to speak, but before a sound had passed his wizened lips the singing began to grow louder as a new voice was introduced. "If that is not the voice of the messenger than I am no wise man at all." spoke the Sage. The King and Priest then nodded in agreement. "My spirit tells me he will not be swift in his return if indeed he returns at all." remarked the Priest. At this point a band of soldiers approached these three distinguished men. "What business have you men of arms amongst Kings and the learned?" declared the Sage. "We have no business here but have followed this mesmerizing melody and wish to join those happy and hallowed hearts."
This time it was the Priest who responded "I'm afraid this is not possible for you my fierce fellows, for you are men of arms and neither shaft nor sword is permitted this passage." "And if we discharge our destructive devices may we then proceed?" inquired the stoutest among them. "We shall not block your path." responded the king. "For even without weapons your are the steady and surly sort and even if detained should surely gain your freedom by your strength. Go then, but do not tarry overlong and report back with tidings of what lay beyond this impenetrable barrier." so commanded the King. Sure of step and stride the disarmed destroyers made straight for the opening and before long had vanished into the thickest dark.
Again the prolonged silence and then, as before, the voices rose. If the song had been a chorus before, it now became a symphony. The strong men's voices added a tremulous and towering tone. Even the stones began to shake as the voices sang in harmony. At this the King shouted "We have now lost, to this infernal gate, both a messenger and a band of mighty men. How much more must we lose before we board and bar the beckoning of this black bridge?" No sooner had he spoke these words then they spotted from afar a vast multitude all winding their way through the wood swooning to the choral call. "I shall have no one left to appreciate my wisdom." said the Sage. "Nor I to preach God's promise." prompted the Priest. "And certainly there can be no king without a kingdom, for there to be a ruler there must also be those who are ruled!" squealed his Majesty.
As had happened many times before and so many time since those who wished to retain their standing did proclaim a precarious piece of prohibition. Laws raised not in order to secure the power of the people in their care but to secure the cares of the people of power. The plot went thusly, the King would control the body, the Sage confuse the mind, and the Priest condemn the spirit. Fear was the soil of which this tumultuos tree containing these three branches did sprout. As the march of the mass grew louder, moving towards its goal to once again join in that common verse, the trap was set and sprung.
