₦airaland Forum

He experiences the Seas


He decided to talk to her, but just as he opened his mouth to say something, music wafted across the breeze. It was a soft lullaby, and he couldn’t figure out where it was coming from.

Oh great, said the lady, so we’re in the sea of music after all, I was afraid we’d drifted totally off course and might be getting somewhere else, like close to the Cave of Dislike.

The young man decided not to ask what the Cave of Dislike was. He could guess and that was sufficient for now.

The music was changing, as they paddled. It seemed they’d left the lullaby behind and were now in more rigorous waters. The tune had transformed to a rigorous, choppy melody and the water appeared restless, in return. Paddling was harder for him now, and he broke out in a light sweat.

The lady asked if he wanted to switch places, he replied that wasn’t necessary right now but probably in a little while.

Where is the music coming from, he asked.

I’m not sure, she said, but I think it’s the water currents. Either the music originates from the current or the water simply carries it along, coming from somewhere else. Or could be a combination of both, we haven’t been able to figure this out yet.

The music was getting fainter while he rowed. He took that to mean they were leaving the sea of music and moving into different waters. He was proved right when he noticed a school of fish just ahead of the boat. They were moving rhythmically through the water, stopping now and then to face his direction. They seemed to be looking at the boat during those moments, but he couldn’t be sure.

Tell me, he asked the lady. Are we in the sea of education?

Yes we are, she replied.

And the sea of education involves schools of fish, and those fish over on that side of the boat are learning about us right now.

Well, yes she said. You’re quite right.

The school of fish was fading away into the distance, and he could see their bespectacled leader swimming purposefully through the water.

He caught sight of another school of fish, they were swimming round some algae which they examined interestedly. He thought he heard words drifting through the water, but he couldn’t be sure. He strained his ears to hear more. He picked up “sunlight”, “food”, “energy”, “photosynthesis”, “food chain”, "bigger predator”, “ecosystem”, and had to turn around to ask the lady if the fish were talking.

Can you hear them, she asked.

I think I can, he responded.

Well then, she said, if you feel you can hear what they’re saying, then maybe you can.

She didn’t offer any further explanation, and he gave up trying to ask.

They rowed on and met more schools of fish, differing in size, colour and structure, he noticed some followed the boat while others observed it from a distance.

Then they rowed slowly out of the sea of education (he could still hear the occasional music wafting over the ocean), and everything was quiet. The sun was starting to descend now, still a golden orb of intense brilliance and reflected brightly on the water.

Is that the sun’s usual colour, he asked her.

Yes, why do you ask, she responded.

I just thought it might be a different colour, since everything here is different, he said.

No, the sun is the same, said the lady. At least, the colour’s the same.

Hmm, he said, and continued rowing. The sea before them stretched out like an open plain, there were fewer ripples that he could perceive, and over in the distance, the water was calm and flat, almost like a lake.

The lady followed his gaze and knew what he was thinking.

The sea in the distance is called the sea of life, she said. That is where life forms begin, but we wont be going that way. Very few people are actually able to get into that part, its protected by a very strong current which also blocks entry. Far beyond it, where the mist rises, is the sea of creation, also off limits but beside the sea of life.

Ah, I see, said the young man. So, now, we’re headed for the Plains of Beauty.

That is correct, she replied.

What the young man learnt while he rowed


He woke up to see the early sunrise throwing rays across the horizon. The sun hung beautifully above the water, a giant golden orb covered in a soft mist which seemed to rise from the ocean ripples.

He grabbed the paddle from where it lay in the middle of the boat, and earnestly started rowing. He loved the fresh breeze blowing in his face and the slight spray from the paddle’s motion through the water.

The lady woke up shortly after, and nodded in his direction. He nodded back, and turned to his rowing once again. She bent slightly down and scooped up water to wash her face. Then she sat back and seemed ready for conversation.

Where are we now he asked.

Not sure she replied. We were headed towards the other seas but I’m not sure how far we might be off course. We should know where we are, shortly.

He thought about this.

Well, he said, since we’re sailing the ocean, on a journey to a destination , are there creatures such as sirens, mermaids, and the like around here somewhere? They’re in most stories of this type.

Hmm, she replied. That’s Greek mythology, not this one.

Can you describe this place, he asked. I don’t know much about it.

Ok, said the lady. I’m not sure where exactly we are, but as I pointed out before, we should find out shortly. I do know that somewhere around these parts, are the Plains of Beauty, the woods with the jivey old man, the town that history forgot, and the town that history always remembers.

Wow said the young man, rather amazed by what lay ahead. That’s quite a list.

I know, said the lady. There is also the Farm of Broods.

What’s that last one, he asked.

It’s a farm where broods ripen and mature in their pods. They are picked at maturity, by harvesters who are also the ones tending the farms all along.

Anticipating his next question, she went on: the broods are cared for severally until they grow and start their various occupations. I believe you’ve met some already, in the forest with the old wise man. The creatures by the glass trees.

Yes, I did see them, the young man said.

This was all very interesting, so the young man pondered on it for a while, thoughtfully rowing his paddle and watching the water swell and fall with its motion. The lady was watching him, and her expression was rather ambiguous, he thought she seemed poignant, but when he looked up at her, she quickly put on a smile and looked more cheerful.

Hmm, he thought, I wonder why she seemed that way, maybe I should ask her about herself. She does give the impression of being rather private though, not sure she wouldn’t consider it intrusive if I did so.

He debated with himself for a while, staring helpfully at the water.