Tales Of The Forgotten

He is Revaris, a young man who detests his lifestyle. He constantly complains to his parents about their unexciting way of living, the lack of fun, and the boredom that surrounds them. He tells them he wishes to live a rich and interesting life. In fact, his father is a businessman who manages to provide the family with a good and happy life. But Revaris wants more and more. He has spent fifteen suns of his life thinking about money matters. His mother always forbids him to focus on money and advises him to be thankful to Allah for all his blessings. However, the youngster ignores her advice and keeps saying, “I want more things!” As the story begins, his mother is searching for him. “Revaris! Where are you? Come here fast!” his mother demands. “ Oh, Mom! I’m coming,” he replies as he reaches her.“Yes, Mom, what’s the matter?” he asks. “Bring your books and start learning your lesson,” his mother orders. “But Mommy! I don’t want to study now,” he complains. “You said the same thing two hours ago when I asked you to study,” she yells. “Bring your book.” “But, Mom…?” “Do you understand what I’m asking? Bring your books. You have a test tomorrow,” she growls. “You are getting very lazy these days.” “No, Mom! I am not slow—the world is just too fast,” he replies while laughing. “Bring your books,” Mom insists. “Okay,” he says, approaching while carrying his books. “Very good! Now start studying for your test,” Mom says with a grin. (Thinking to himself) “I don’t want to study; I just want money, a spacious house, cars, and even more money.” He studies for some time, then closes his books, devours his dinner, and goes to bed. Before sleeping, while making his bed, he prays to Allah: “I wish I could make the rest of my life the best without any hard work. And I wish that my books would vanish from the world.” He assumes that without books—and with plenty of money—he will be the happiest person in the world. He falls asleep while pondering. When he wakes up, he finds himself on a spacious bed in a large room. The bed is so enormous that ten people could easily sleep on it at the same time. “Wh… where am I? What place is this?” he asks himself. He walks out of the room to examine his surroundings and finds himself in a marvelous mansion. He is astonished by the people and objects around him. He is amazed to see such things because they are not normal. Everything seems alive. The people have three arms, three legs, and huge, nail-like teeth. They all bow their heads whenever they see him. “Why have you come outside?” one of them demands. “We will bring your breakfast to your room. You don’t need to come outside,” one alien says. “Who are you people?” Revaris asks. “Your majesty, pardon the interruption, but you are our king,” one of them replies, bowing his head. “I don’t understand what you are talking about. I don’t get this ‘king and slave’ business,” Revaris says, completely perplexed. “This mansion, these slaves, and everything here belong to you,” says a second alien. “Today is the king’s ceremony, and you must have a mark made on your hand, as it is your first ceremony. It is a ritual here that a king has a mark on his hand during his first ceremony,” explains the first alien while bowing his head. At first, Revaris cannot understand what is happening. Then he realizes that every incident is occurring because of the wish he made to Allah—to have the best life without any hard work. Now he is very happy as a king, for he does not need to study or work because he is rich. (The ceremony commences, and they make a mark of “king” on his hand.) As if everything were alive, even the candle comes to life. “Hey,” greets the candle. Astonished, Revaris asks, “Can you speak?” “Yes, but why are you so shocked?” the candle replies. “Because I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he answers with a grin. “It’s not surprising. Here, everything is alive, and since you are here, you will see such things every day,” explains the candle. “Okay! Now go away from here—I want to sleep for a while,” Revaris orders. “You can’t sleep in the evening, as you are a king, and you must attend to the important matters of your country,” says one alien. “But…” “No, you have to look after the matters of your country,” the alien interrupts without hesitation. “Oh!” Revaris sighs glumly. While attending to money matters, Revaris remembers his loving mother. Whenever he wants to sleep, she allows him without hesitation. He misses her and silently sobs. (Time passes like a ghost disappearing.) One month goes by, but he sleeps only two hours a day. He grows weak as he neglects his diet. Lost in a maze of vague thoughts—unable to find the words to express them—he remembers his parents and longs to return to them, but nothing can be done now. “The heaviest thing in the world is a sleepy eyelid,” thinks Revaris, yawning. “Hey.” “Hey, who are you?” asks Revaris. “I am Knowledge,” answers a book. “Oh! I see,” Revaris says. “You can consider me your friend,” the book offers. “But I never considered you my friend before,” replies Revaris. “You can consider it now,” the book beams. With a glum tone, Revaris confesses, “I always preferred money to books. Even though I have a lot of money, I don’t want it now. I want my mommy, my daddy, my house, and my books back. Money can’t make me as happy as I was at home. How can I pretend to be happy when I am sad?” “You can read me, gain knowledge, and you will become the richest person in mind. Then you can attain money too,” advises the book. “Though this is the fairyland I always wanted to visit, now I want my old belongings back—not these odd ones,” replies Revaris. “To gain something is to lose something,” says the book. “I want to go back!” Revaris yells. “King, you are not allowed to speak with any stranger. Hey book, vanish from sight!” shouts a guard alien angrily. “No, please stop!” Revaris yells. Suddenly, he opens his eyes while lying on his bed in his parents’ house. “Ahhhhhhh… It was just a dream. Fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream,” Revaris thinks calmly. “Thanks be my goodness.” “Are you alright?” his mother asks. “Oh, Mom, I missed you so much,” Revaris says. “Missed? But why? Weren’t you sleeping?” his mother asks, perplexed. “Yes, I was sleeping. I had a horrible dream that frightened me,” he explains with a small grin. “Okay! Then rest for a while because you have a test tomorrow,” says his mother. “No, I don’t want to sleep. I want to study for my test and gain knowledge,” Revaris declares abruptly. “Are you alright?” his mother inquires once more. “Yeah, I’m alright.” Suddenly, he notices the mark on his hand—the very mark the aliens made during the king’s ceremony. He is astonished as he examines it. “Was it real?” The book chuckles softly behind Revaris. “Money can’t buy you happiness.” The End