Author: Syed Suhail Ahmad
December 30, 2024
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Once upon a time, in a realm of swirling mists and shifting shadows, there was a village nestled at the foot of an ancient mountain. This mountain, shrouded perpetually in a dense fog, was said to conceal an eternal flame atop its peak—a flame of truth and goodness. Legends whispered that those who reached the flame would gain clarity to see beyond the illusions of the world, their hearts unshaken by the storms of deception and strife.
Among the villagers lived a humble cartographer named Maryam. She was known for her unyielding quest for truth, even when it came at the cost of comfort or belonging. While others in the village debated endlessly about what lay beyond the fog—some claiming a paradise, others a cursed abyss—Maryam chose not to speculate. Instead, she resolved to see the truth for herself.
One day, she set out toward the mountain with only a lantern in hand. Her journey began on a well-trodden path, surrounded by whispers of doubt from those who had never dared to venture far. “Why leave the safety of the village?” they asked. “What if the truth is more painful than ignorance?”
But Maryam pressed on, her heart anchored to the bedrock of her convictions. As she ascended, the fog thickened, blurring the trail and obscuring her way. It wasn’t long before she encountered travelers, each representing the tangled alliances of her world.
The first was a merchant draped in fine silks, who offered her riches if she would abandon her journey and return to the village. “What good is truth,” he asked, “if it doesn’t bring wealth or comfort?”
Maryam shook her head. “Truth’s worth isn’t measured in gold, but in the light it brings to the soul.” She continued on.
Next, she met a warrior who stood guard at a fork in the path. He bore the banner of a faction embroiled in endless conflict over the mountain’s secrets. “Choose a side,” he commanded. “Only through allegiance can you hope to ascend safely.”
Maryam replied, “Allegiance born of fear or force leads not to truth, but to darkness.” She stepped past him, her lantern glowing brighter.
Finally, she encountered a scholar scribbling furiously in a tome. “Turn back,” he warned. “The truth atop this mountain is subjective, a mirage conjured by one’s own biases. Trust my writings instead.”
Maryam smiled gently. “No map drawn by another can guide me to what I must see with my own eyes.”
As she climbed higher, the fog became almost impenetrable, pressing against her like a living force. Yet, with each step, her lantern’s light grew stronger, fueled by her unwavering resolve. When she finally reached the summit, the fog parted like a curtain, revealing the eternal flame—a radiant beacon illuminating the world below.
In its light, Maryam saw the village, its people, and their struggles with a clarity she had never known. She saw how biases and prejudices had woven a web of illusions, dividing hearts and obscuring the greater good.
But she also saw the power of steadfastness—the potential for change when one stands resolute for truth and goodness. Taking a spark from the flame, she descended the mountain, her lantern now glowing with a brilliance that cut through the fog.
Back in the village, she shared the light with others. Some rejected it, clinging to their illusions, but many embraced it, their hearts illuminated by the clarity it brought. Slowly, the fog that had veiled their lives began to lift, unraveling the darkness and nurturing a new era of understanding and righteousness.
Maryam’s journey became a legend, a story passed down through generations, a testament to the power of anchoring oneself to truth and standing firm against the tides of opposition. For in her steadfastness, she had not only preserved the purity of her convictions but had planted the seeds of change that would grow for years to come.