The Second Day

[Random_White_Guy]

The Second Day
Gausim al-Marain

The Parable of the Second Day

It is a parable well known in the streets of Baz'eel but upon this frontier it has fallen to the wayside as so many rites, rituals, and ceremony have come to be so. It is my pleasure to share with you one of my favorite tales of the Mother however. A chance that you may see in plain the wisdom of the Mother, she who gifted life upon all, she who created we her favored children.

Long and far when all began, did a family wander in the unforgiving desert. So many were their personalities, their ambitions, their hopes, and their flaws. And so many were their paths. Time and again though their paths lead to one another crossing. Some times three, some times six, sometimes nine. While there were times they were struck with the acute sense of loneliness they knew a time would come in which they would see their family again.

The precocious daughter, the stern son, even the uncle who was treated as blackgoat of the nomadic would find themselves in passing. At times they were gladdened to see one another, at times they were cantankerous and rankled to have their peace disrupted, at times they shared laughs, at times they shared insult.

One such day though as the Family made its way, on that rarest occasion they were assembled whole, through the horrific desert they walked. Sand burning their feet, sweat drenching their brow, the youngest begging and pleading for rest. Father though knew the grim truth - This desert, this Ash, if one were to stop in the daytime they would bake and burn and know only hunger, thirst, and death.

So as their caravan continued they passed the time. Japes, stories, though some ever kept eye for bandit and others for Dune Bison to feast. And it was in this pursuit of feast something spectacular would occur. For as the Father left the oldest to watch his family he took to a herd of Bison. He walked well and far until he came upon Dunebison grazing. He let fly his spear and it glimmered in the sun, reflecting the light so bright.

...and it missed.

"Ai-Yat!", he cursed, knowing well his family would hunger. He took to his knees in woe and worry. Bereft and uncertain of what terrors would come throughout the day, what pain of watching his children suffer, starve.

And yet... through his lamentations he began to hear a noise. A strange one. A gurgling. A bubbling.

From beneath spew forth a torrent of water high and far, sending flying his spear and drops of the most precious water upon him. He exclaimed and begged forgiveness for his curses, the drops mixed with his tears of joy, and far and why he cried in ecstasy.

Away did his children hear these cries, large to small, and they came to running. Some quickly, some slowly, yet all did come.

There they had no time to think, no time to reflect, no time to care - Water. Delicious, glorious, life saving water. They drank, and drank, until they could no more. Day gave way to night and as they laid in blessed peace they took to slumber.

Come morning they realized the errors of their way.

In their thirst, in their ecstasy, in their begging for the forgiveness of their father's curses they forgot to give their thanks. And so in such they took from their Caravan, a wheel.

And upon the site they placed this wheel, and upon this site the sons were sent to gather great stones, and upon this site did the Daughters collect nearby mud and clay to make jars to bear this water in their journey.

And they would travel far and wide sharing tale with any who would listen...

[close]

Upon the first day came rejoicing, relief, embrace of family and new future. Upon the second day came reflection, gratitude, realization, and piety. And from this the Calendar of the Week was formed.

Upon the First Day ((Sunday)) is owed your Earthly Mother, your Family, to share in feast and rejoice and make merry for the renewing of the week to come.

Upon the Second Day ((Monday)), is holy, owed to your Divine Mother, your Creator, to share in prayer and meditation, to reflect upon the heavens, to honor your place in ritual, and answer the call to Prayer.

Upon the Third Day ((Tuesday)) you may enjoy the fruits of your freedom to do as you please, as all children may, having done their chores. Wander, play, race.

Upon the Fourth Day ((Wednesday)) you may tend to your flock of goats, your crafts, your creations, and your artistry to embrace the joys of life.

Upon the Fifth Day ((Thursday)) you may grace your lover or those special to you charitable gifts and showings of admiration and affection, spoil your children, flatter your neighbor.

Upon the Sixth Day ((Friday)) you must rest, but remain ever watchful, for the week is long and the heat is fierce. If you parent or elder sibling you must protect the younger while they rest, for this is your charge.

Upon the Seventh Day ((Saturday)) you must get your affairs in order to finish business for the week, and prepare for the next week to come.

And in such the Wheel renews.

Mother be Praised.