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Back to Wesoomi's Archives The Legend of Wesoomi: Thirteen, The Cause of Evil: May 27, 2002: Gentlehand was in the gardens when Spirit Guide emerged from the forest. He took a deep breath and expelled a huge sigh of relief. Then he smiled with happiness. "You are home, my Son," he exclaimed. "Indeed, Father, and filled with joy to be with you again." "Are you well?" "I am well, but sore of heart, Father. I have much to ponder." Gentlehand took Spirit Guide in his arms and hugged him fiercely. Then he put an arm over his shoulder. "Your journey did not fill it's purpose?" "It did and yet not. I am at peace with my mother. She suffered greatly, yet I know she abides now with the Great Spirit and is well. I understand now her trials." "That is a good result." "Aye, Father, a good result indeed." "Yet, you are troubled. Of what source be this troubling sense." "Of the Bandar." "Ah! Did you also visit the Bandar?" "I did. I entered their village and spoke with them." "And this troubled you?" "I had a sudden knowing of the heart, Father," said Spirit Guide. "Ere now, I found it in my heart to hate the Bandar. Then, the Great Spirit opened my eyes. Should I then hate the Bandar, I must needs hate myself for I am Bandar." "I see that this be true, at least in part, yet for you a painful knowing." "Aye, Father, and one I must needs ponder long. For, if there be evil in the Bandar, there be evil in me." "I agree not with that. There be no evil in you, my Son." "And yet, I be of the Bandar. I must needs ponder this. It troubles me much." "I will ever be here should you have need of care." "That is good to know, and it is good to be home again. Mayhap I will find peace with this thing." "I am sure of it," said Gentlehand. "Come, now. Let us tell the Elder you are home." So they went up to the village to tell Strong Oak and the others. All were pleased at his safe return and Spirit Guide received many embraces. In the following days, Spirit Guide and the Quiet Folk returned to their normal activities. Gentlehand and Spirit Guide worked in the gardens each day. Spirit Guide also spent the first part of each morning in his lessons with Strong Oak and Spirit Healer. Yet, Spirit Guide was troubled and his countenance revealed it. He struggled for many days with his burden. Gentlehand stayed ever near him. One day, Spirit Guide came to speak with Gentlehand about his ordeal. "I am still sore of heart, Father. I have no answers. I know now that there be evil in me. I have faced this thing in the village of the Bandar. I felt the evil in my heart there. I felt ire against Crazy Wolf; also against my own blood father. I know him not, but I condemn him in my heart. I wish the Bandar ill for what befell my mother." "I would that I had the wisdom to answer your pain, my Son. I do not. I feel that, perhaps, the Elder could show insight to both of us, for I too am troubled by this thought of evil. I must needs believe that there be no evil in you, but that does not answer. Whence then comes the evil in the Bandar?" So, Gentlehand and Spirit Guide went to the lodge of Strong Oak. They found him sitting on his thinking log outside of his lodge. "We would consult you, Elder," said Gentlehand. "To what end, Gentlehand?" "It be about this thought of evil, Elder. Spirit Guide can speak of this." Strong Oak smiled at Spirit Guide. He indicated his guest log. "Please sit and speak of this trouble then." Both sat and Spirit Guide spoke. "I feel in my heart that the Bandar are evil for they have done evil. Yet, I am of the Bandar. No pondering will make this not true, for my blood flows with Bandar blood. This I know. I have pondered on this to no end since my journey. I must needs judge that there be evil in me. I beg you to show us the truth of this thing." "Very well," said Strong Oak. "It seems that evil be at the heart of your trouble. Let us then look upon this idea of evil. What be evil, Spirit Guide?" "Evil be the doing of bad things." "Listen to your words, Spirit Guide." "They be but few, Elder. To what end need I listen?" "I ask again, Spirit Guide, what be evil. Listen carefully to your answer." Spirit Guide paused. He pondered for several minutes. Finally, he said very slowly, "Evil be the doing of bad things. Doing of bad things." Spirt Guide paused while his mind struggled. "Doing bad things," he mused. Doing! The Bandar do bad things." "Pursue that, Spirit Guide," said Strong Oak gently. "The Bandar do bad things," repeated Spirit Guide. "I am Bandar. I do bad things." "Be that true?" "Nay, Elder. I have bad thoughts. I do no bad things." "Pursue that." "I have bad thoughts. I act not. the Bandar act." "Continue, Spirit Guide." Spirit Guides eyes began to widen. "The Bandar choose evil deeds," he said. "And?" "I do not choose evil deeds." "What then be evil, Spirit Guide?" "Evil be the choosing to do bad things," said Spirit Guide with surprise. "Where then be the evil, Spirit Guide?" "Oh!" exclaimed Spirit Guide. "The evil be in the choosing." "Be the Bandar evil by destiny, Spirit Guide?" "Nay, Elder. The Bandar be evil by choice." "What of you, Spirit Guide?" Tears welled up in Spirit Guides eyes. "I do not choose evil," he whispered. "I can choose as can the Bandar. There be no evil in men except by choice." "It be true, Spirit Guide," agreed Strong Oak. "Now you have a knowing of the heart. Evil can be in all of us. This be something we know of but speak not of. It be a matter of choosing. We all choose. There be the power of good and of evil in us, for the Great Spirit created us so. Being Bandar or some other is not the issue. It is ours to make a choice. It is so for all. "The Great Spirit breathed his own spirit into us. If we choose to ignore that, we may indeed bring out the evil which also abides in us. The evil spirits lurk always over our shoulder, awaiting our choice. We can welcome them into our hearts as do the Bandar. We may do that, but we need not." "Then there be hope, even for the Bandar," marveled Gentlehand. "I so believe," replied Strong Oak. "Perhaps that be what I saw in Little Warrior," mused Spirit Guide. "Tell us of this Little Warrior," urged Strong Oak. "I saw him at the longhouse of the Bandar. He is a young warrior, perhaps twice my age. He had a look of power about him and an anger with it. Crazy Wolf said that he had slain his father." "Indeed, that could cause an anger in a man. Did they say more?" asked Strong Oak. "Nay Elder. Crazy Wolf left little time for others to speak. He had many tales of his own exploits." "Indeed," smiled Strong Oak. "So Little Warrior had no chance to speak to you?" "Just some strange words as I took leave. He said, ‘Perhaps we will meet again.' I have pondered on that." "Why so?" "It seemed more that just words. It seemed like a pledge." "Perhaps then we will hear more of this Little Warrior," said Strong Oak. Perhaps," agreed Spirit Guide. "And now, I need no longer hate the Bandar, or fear the Bandar in me. I need not judge them at all." "Indeed, Spirt Guide. By our choices, the Great Spirit will know us. If blame be due, the Great Spirit will see to it. We need not wish ill for the Bandar. They will create their own ill. Did you not see it when you saw them? I saw it in the one who visited us. Calamity lives in his heart, awaiting its opportunity." "You speak truth and wisdom, Elder." "Be you at peace with this thing now, Spirit Guide?" asked Strong Oak. "Indeed, Elder. As always, your wisdom has guided me in the path." Strong Oak laughed. "Think you back on what just transpired, Spirit Guide. You came to me with a trouble, but you already knew the answer. I simply listened to you find it. Be true to yourself, Spirit Guide. Then you will always find the truth, for it abides in you. The Great Spirit so created you." "Thank you, Elder," smiled Spirit Guide. "I feel I have learned much with your help." "Indeed, Spirit Guide. There be little else I can teach you. Come summer next, we must have the ceremony of passage. For you, it will be special for you will pass into a new part of your life. After that, The Great Spirit will be your guide as you gather the wisdom to be the true Spirit Guide of the people of this nation." "I must trust the Great Spirit with that," said Spirit Guide. Thus, Spirit Guide and Gentlehand came to peace with the thoughts of the Bandar. They returned to the gardens and continued their work. Back to Wesoomi's Archives
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