* * *
Marwan suddenly awoke to his father standing directly in front of his bed, staring at him. Marwan was startled and wide-eyed, although still half-asleep. He could tell it was morning, but before Marwan had a chance to gather his wits about him or say anything, Pa spoke.
“I heard about what happened with you and Tyre yesterday. I’m very disappointed. I expect you to visit him today and apologize for your actions. I expect you will sincerely ask for his forgiveness. A future ensi should not act in such a childish manner. Do you understand?” Pa’s words were very stern and he made no attempt at sugarcoating his emotion.
Marwan stammered, “I was just…just sticking up for…”
Pa interrupted, “I know exactly what happened. One of the boys’ fathers told the tale to me. No one is proud of what you did. Do not make excuses for your misguided actions.”
“I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing…”
“Enough. You’re a good young man, Marwan, and good men never do ‘nothing’. The something that you did is what’s in question. This is the last I want to hear of this.” Pa looked away for a moment and then turned back to face Marwan again.
“Good morning, by the way.” Without waiting for a reply, Pa simply turned around and sternly walked out of Marwan’s room, straight-faced.
Marwan sunk back in bed. What am I supposed to say to Tyre? I can’t believe this. He lay frozen in bed a moment longer before taking a deep breath and getting up to face the day. He remembered his mother was leaving on her journey soon and he wanted to help her secure her bags to the cart, and tie the cart to the two oxen that would be pulling her to the Akkadian tribe.
Then Marwan remembered his dream from the night before. It seemed to pale in importance to the task of apologizing and the immediacy of his mother leaving. Any contemplation of it or finding any meaning behind it would have to wait for now.
A few minutes later, Marwan had splashed some water on his face, donned his clothes and was walking out the front door to find Maji putting something in a side pack on one of the oxen. Pa was next to her, saying something, but paused when Marwan appeared. Both parents looked over at him and Marwan stopped in his tracks. He still felt a little uncomfortable after the stark, abrupt waking-up he had received from his father.
“Hi, Ma,” Marwan called out awkwardly.
Obligatorily, he hastily included, “And, hi, Pa.” Marwan did a small head nod as if to confirm that what he was saying was sincere.
“Can I help pack?” Marwan stood up straight and walked over to them.
“Pa has already seen to it that I am set and ready to go.” Maji turned to Pa and smiled warmly.
Pa said, “I’ll miss you, Maji. Do be safe and accomplish much. Tell the Akkadian tribe how cooperation can increase prosperity. Tell them the stories of our ancestors and how we came to be in this fertile valley. Explain the synergies of working together and collaboration in all areas of life.”
Pa then turned to Marwan and said, “The more people that move to the valley mean the more people who will work the land and contribute to the betterment of us all. The more people who work for our betterment will mean the sparking of new ideas for doing things and facing challenges more efficiently. The more people who contribute to the creativity of the village mean a better world for us all, Marwan.”
Pa then pointed to the wheels on the cart. “Like these. The wheel is a great invention. Because we all use wheels, there are people in this very village that figured out the best wood to use for them, as well as a good size so they are not too big or too small.
“It was my father—your grandfather—who realized we could wrap the wood in leather for a more suitable cart or wagon wheel. The development of the copper nails that hold the leather in place was the result of many, many generations’ knowledge. As you know, the knowledge of how to smelt copper is very important for many things, including these very wheels. With these wheels we can travel further, faster and carry more things to the places we go.”
Marwan nodded in understanding. He said, “I get it. Everyone helps everyone figure out things better and know more stuff.”
Pa said, “It’s not exactly that. Because enough people have come together here in this village, there are people who only make wheels for the people who only make carts. Your friend Darius’ family specializes in fishing while we specialize in making copper. This specializing of work allows us all to be much more productive than if one or two families had to do everything and know everything.”
Maji turned to Marwan and said, “Give me a hug. I must be off. The sooner I get there, the sooner I’ll be back to my dear family.”
Marwan looked around and said, “Where’s Benyamina?”
Maji said, “I talked with her already this morning. She left for the river almost an hour ago.”
“Again? Wow, she really loves the water.” Marwan chuckled as he leaned in to hug his mother good-bye. A few short days wouldn’t last forever and all was expected to be well with her travels—they’d always gone fine in the past. Everybody in the Akkadian tribe knew who she was and would pay her kind respects.
After some more brief conversation regarding departure, Maji left. Marwan watched her cart being pulled away by the oxen. He thought about the wheels and watched as they rolled along the ground. They were perfectly round and great care had been taken to make them that way. Square holes had been cut out of the center of the wheels so that the axle could be put through and would fit perfectly snug. Everything was a perfect fit. He hypnotically watched the wheels and the axle spin in unison.
Marwan’s thoughts were interrupted by Pa, who reminded him not to forget about the Tyre matter. Pa then went on his way to complete his daily tasks, socialize with the other elders and to ensure harmony was maintained within the village. After what seemed like a short few hours, Marwan completed his copper work for the day and was off into the heart of the settlement, too.
The center of the village was where all the hustle-bustle of daily life took place. Games were played. The merchants gathered to trade their goods. The vendors set-up booths and carts. Everyone had their own special brand of bread, food, jewelry or clothes to offer to their fellow people in exchange for other items. One of the unique, new aspects of Mesopotamia was the ingenious system of seals with family symbols on them that people would trade for the promise of goods.
Marwan saw a young mother trading a piece of seashell with a fish carved in it—a unique signature Marwan recognized as Darius’ father’s seal. The mother was trading it for a pan of bread from a merchant in a different tribe. The shell was a promise of a fish, should it be returned to Darius’ family. All the merchants had various seals like this that they traded with one another. They made bartering easier and fairer. Marwan thought about how it was really like a new system of trust. All the cooperation was definitely a good thing, he thought.
Marwan spotted his friend Darius and walked up to him. Darius was happy to see him but gave him a terse look—Marwan knew Darius had heard about all the trouble he was in regarding Tyre and the incident yesterday. It wouldn’t have been so bad except Marwan was the ensi’s son and someday would be responsible for keeping the entire economy running smooth between his tribe and the others.
“You heard, did you?” Marwan frowned at Darius.
Darius said, “Of course I did. I got a good lecture, too.”
Marwan sighed. “I wish I didn’t have to do everything my father said to do.”
“You mean Ensi Pa?” Darius looked wide-eyed at Marwan with a smirk. He was obviously impressed with Marwan’s father’s status as the tribe’s leader. Marwan shrugged off the comment but was secretly pleased inside at the recognition of his family’s status.
“Yeah. I can’t wait until I’m Ensi Marwan. But for now, I have to apologize to keep the peace and all that stuff. I just want to get this over with. Tyre is probably at the main game spot trying to prove something to someone again. If we’re lucky, this wi
ll just be a quick, short sorry-about-yesterday-have-a-nice-day kind of thing.”
Darius nodded. “If you were ensi, you wouldn’t have to apologize at all, Marwan. Too bad you’re not an elder yet.” Darius looked up to Marwan with blind innocence in his eyes. He didn’t ever hesitate to follow Marwan’s lead.
As they headed to the game spot, Marwan thought about Darius and his last comment. Although Marwan enjoyed the admiration, he felt like something was backward or ignorant about it. He sighed and thought, Darius is just a young soul and agrees with whatever I say. He’ll learn; people will learn, at their own pace. When I’m ensi, I’ll let people do what they want to. Better to let everything happen naturally and not force people to do things.
Marwan was satisfied at his conclusion but still shook his confused head in contemplation. Maybe someday I’ll be smarter and think of better and cleverer ways to handle situations. I wish I was an older soul. I wish I knew everything.
Traveling away from the village on a dusty trail, Marwan noticed the medicine man Án walking not too far up ahead. Ugh, not him, not now. A feeling of dread came over him.
“I hope he doesn’t see me.” Marwan scowled as he glanced over at Darius. Marwan shuffled his feet and slowed his stride; so did Darius. Almost as if Án heard him, he turned his head from down the trail and spotted the two. To Marwan’s chagrin, Án paused, turned around and folded his arms as if to wait for them.
As the two boys moved closer to Án, he called out, “Hello there, young Marwan and young Darius.”
Within seconds they were all walking together along the path. Marwan remembered his conversation with Kübra the night before and casually brought it up. Marwan didn’t want Án to think that he would have the power of ensi—ever—and wanted to remind his uncle who would really be ensi someday.
“Someday, I’ll be the ensi, Án; I saw Kübra last night walking back to my house and she mentioned you would be…” Marwan cleared his throat before continuing, “a great one. Not that you ever would be, but if you were, what would you do?” Marwan puffed out his chest proudly.
Án was silent for a moment and looked ahead when he finally responded, not looking at Marwan.
Softly, Án said, “I don’t know, Marwan, I don’t know. I don’t know much, you know. I like to find out what other people think about things.”
Then with a more confident, derisive tone, he continued, “What would you do as the great and persuasive ensi, wise Marwan?”
The way he said that really irked Marwan. He is so stupid with his sarcasm, Marwan said to himself before answering. “I know a lot about people, so I would help everyone with their problems and issues.”
“Are you on your way to help Tyre with his issues right now?” Án turned to look at Marwan and eyed him suspiciously.
Marwan groaned inside and felt his temperature rising. I really don’t like you, he thought silently to himself. You’re always throwing something back in everyone’s face.
Darius looked up at Án and quizzically, but innocently, asked, “Doesn’t Tyre come to you for advice? I’ve seen him leave your dwelling several times the last few weeks while I was walking by to find my father.”
“Were you spying on me, Darius?” Án raised his left eyebrow and squinted at the boy.
“No, not at all. One of the vendors that sells my father’s fresh-caught fish lives close by your dwelling, that’s all. I travel back and forth. I was just wondering if you knew why Tyre acts like he’s always got something to prove?”
Marwan was silent while Darius quizzed Án. Marwan was interested in the reason why Tyre was at Án’s home as well as why Tyre acted the way he did, too. But he did think about how naïve Darius acted sometimes—or maybe it was just an abnormally pure innocence. Marwan kept his head facing forward as he walked with the other two, still in between them.
“I’m not sure, Darius,” Án quickly responded while looking ahead.
Irritated at his lack of a thoughtful response, Marwan shot Án an incredulous glance and said, “How could you not know? Even I know what’s wrong with him.”
“Fools know everything, don’t they?” Án cocked an eyebrow and turned to look straight into Marwan’s eyes. “When will you be wise enough to remember you know almost nothing—next life, maybe?”
Marwan looked down and met Án’s gaze. Even though Án is many years older, I’m a little taller and a lot stronger than this skinny idiot. If we were ever to fight, there would be no real match. This made Marwan feel a little better.
Marwan looked away and said, “Tyre is a bully, it’s as simple as that. He’s mad at the world for his father leaving and never returning when he was still young.” Marwan quickened his stride and hoped to be free from his uncle’s idiocy soon.
“But that’s still no excuse to be mean to younger kids, if you ask me.” Marwan was sure he was in the right.
Án’s voice was firm as he spoke. “Tyre needs to feel the warmth of light reaching him in the dark cave where his mind lives.”
Án then smiled and said, “That’s what I would do if I were ensi, Marwan. Spread light to the dark caves of mankind. I have a little light to shine—or maybe in other words—I know where to find the light in order to share.”
“You’re not egotistical in the slightest.” Marwan glared at Án as he made his sarcastic remark.
Án replied, “You see only a reflection of yourself.” Án paused as he looked down a different path jutting off from the trail the group was on. It led to a different part of the village. Marwan kept walking without any hesitation.
Án called out, “I’ll see you two later. Enjoy apologizing to Tyre, Marwan. Be a role model for Darius.” Marwan cringed as Án said that.
As they parted ways, Marwan turned to Darius and said quietly, “I think he likes the fact I have to apologize to that malicious bully. And he’s supposed to be a healer. What a traitor he is; I can’t believe he’s respected. He probably does want to be ensi—I better watch my back.”
Darius simply nodded in agreement. Soon, they arrived at the main game spot. The sun was approaching the top of the sky and it was getting hot. Marwan shielded his eyes with his hand as he scanned the fields, he saw a couple games of ball going on and some younger kids carving some wood pieces.
Then he saw him. Tyre was walking alone away from the game court with his head hung down. His stride was awkward, slow, and he was a pitiful sight to see. He must’ve just been turned away from a game, Marwan thought. Well, at least if he’s alone then no one else has to hear me apologize.
Marwan and Darius made their way towards Tyre and when they got close, Marwan motioned to him to wait. When Tyre saw them, he immediately stood up straight, with a pseudo-confidence like an animal making itself look bigger than its enemy.
“Look, isn’t it the spoiled ensi’s son and his humdrum follower?” Tyre made a face like he had just smelled rotten meat and looked at the two like they were the cause of his disgustful demeanor.
Marwan rolled his eyes, loudly sighed and quickly said, “I’m sorry about yesterday—although you shouldn’t have been bullying those kids. I wish I would’ve acted differently—at least then I wouldn’t have stooped to your level.”
“You’ll never be on my level. You’d never understand the ways of wit or cunning. And your apology is not accepted. You’ll have to beg for my forgiveness—unless of course you want me to tell the elders that you were insincere and rude.”
“I’ll never beg for anything from you or anyone like you. I know what is right and I’ll stand up for what I believe in—every time—even if the elders or my father can’t see my reasoning. You know you shouldn’t have been making fun of the small children. Regardless, I just said I’m sorry—that’s all I have to do.”
Tyre glared at Marwan with a real hatred. There was fire in his eyes and Marwan was taken aback by the intensity of it. It was a feeling that Marwan had not felt in this life of his.
“I’m sorry, too, Tyre.” Darius looked down
at the ground as he apologized.
Marwan looked over at his friend and felt sorry for Darius, much more sorry than he felt for Tyre. Why did I put Darius through this?
Marwan suddenly felt a real feeling of remorse and looked back at the now-smirking Tyre. He’s thoroughly enjoying the way Darius feels right now, Marwan surmised. Benyamina was right; all the negativity has been amplified because of my actions.
Marwan spoke with a newfound purpose and said, “Listen—I really do apologize and hope you can one day forgive me. I should have acted from love but instead I acted with cruelty. I am sorry for that. I hope this life can be fair to you, Tyre, and you can know compassion and happiness.”
Before Tyre could answer, Marwan immediately turned to Darius and said, “C’mon, let’s get going. There are things that need to be done.”
As the two turned away, Tyre said, “You don’t know anything about compassion. If my father were still here, he would be the wisest elder of them all and you would really be sorry. Watch yourself, Marwan. I’m warning you.”
Marwan looked back at Tyre and the fire of hatred that was once in his eyes had turned to a weak, simple sadness that echoed the pitiful stride Marwan saw as Tyre had walked alone earlier. In that moment Marwan truly felt sorry for Tyre.