Chapter 11
Thursday morning I awoke later. It was softly raining and I smelled breakfast cooking.
I joined James on the porch. I started doing my whittling. I was working on the third of my spear barbs.
Making the spear was the only thing that I’d committed to that I hadn’t finished. I was accepted already, regardless of whether I’d done it or not, but I wanted to complete it anyway.
After breakfast, the rain slowed to a sprinkle. James got his spear.
“It may not get better than this,” he said.
“You are going fishing in the rain?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said. “The sea looks fine. It is better than eating dried fish.” I nodded. I didn’t volunteer to go along, and he didn’t ask. After a stressful evening, it was good for him to return to his element.
I guess that there was one other thing that I’d agreed to do. That was to get a preacher to be allowed to return. However, with Xing dead, I didn’t know who to ask.
Also, I wasn’t sure what the new leader would think of me. It was best to wait.
Things were back to normal in the village. The people hadn’t been traumatized too much. If anyone was affected by the drama, it was me. Doing my carving and watching nature had helped me keep my mind settled.
I wondered how big of a disruption it would take to upset their lives. I guessed that as long as fish were available, they’d remain here. They adapted to having no formal church worship. That had to be a major change.
I thought about Gei Duk’s disciples. First, their lives were disrupted when they decided to go with him. Then second, when he died, their lives were upended.
I am sure that they thought that he was going to change the world. Maybe they thought he would be their savior by being a new king. Yet, that idea was thrown out when he died.
They changed, but it wasn’t the change that they were hoping for. At first, they scattered, denied being his followers, and were told that his grave was empty. They wrestled with the idea of him. They were not easily convinced when they saw him return. One even demanded to touch his wounds.
However, something completely changed them. Eventually, they did not hide, but they went to the corners of the world. Many of them died because of what they preached. That showed that they were utterly convinced of what they were telling others.
Looking at the oldest documents of the church, the disciples all had different views of the same event which was of seeing their Savior. However, immediately, they had consensus that their Savior was resurrected.
That means undoubtedly something had happened. If Gei Duk hadn’t risen it would have been easy to disprove it. The critics would need to just produce his dead body.
Therefore, it is unquestionable that something happened that changed everything. It inspired his followers to seek out the poor throughout the world, help them, and preach about hope, even if it meant their own deaths.
The question is: what happened? They all agreed that their Savior had been resurrected.
For me, the issue became one of trust. If I trusted those who’d seen Gei Duk, then I would believe in his resurrection.
I thought that I’d be more convinced if a dozen scientists investigated the resurrected body and then they testified about it. Could men from 2,000 years ago really provide the same assurances that scientists could?
After living on a remote island, I’d become friends with people who led a simple life. They had odd folklore, but that didn’t mean that they were dummies. The way Edgar and I had talked about the sky boat made me see that they told their stories with a wink. However, they knew when someone was alive or dead. A scientist wouldn’t be much more convincing than they were.
What did it mean to me? I needed to decide if I was going to trust what those twelve men said about seeing Gei Duk afterwards. It was hard for me to trust people that I didn’t know personally.
An hour later, James came back with his catch, and Lydia prepared it. Around lunch, the rain stopped and the weather cleared.
In the afternoon, James said we should cut a bamboo pole for my spear. We went together to a patch. He picked one out and I cut it with a saw he gave me.
In the quiet, I thought I heard a distant roar. It reminded me of the sound of a plane taking off. I looked up over the hill. Beyond the end of the island I could see a plane ascending.
Back at the house, I finished the last barb. Then James showed me how to tie the points onto the pole.
I thought that there was no way to get an eight foot weapon onto a plane. My job was nearly done, and I needed prepare James for it.
“When I leave in a few days,” I said, “I won’t be able to take the pole, but I can take the barbs.”
“That should be fine,” he said. “You can cut a new pole when you get there.”
I smiled at his idea.
Wednesday, I was getting antsy. I couldn’t hang around forever without knowing why President Xing was looking for me and what was happening now that he was gone. I kept one eye on the hill to see if the police returned.
In the middle of the morning, Roger came back from Fusang. He was carrying an armful of tools. I met him at the edge of town.
“I thought you had to work today,” I said.
“I was fired,” he said. “The boss said I was always late and that I took vacation days whenever I felt like it.
“They’re biased. I always did hard work when I was there.”
I was curious if that was the only reason he’d been fired.
“Yesterday, you said Xing was angry about the cannery closing. Did you hear any more about that?” I asked.
“No,” said Roger, “but I have the latest news. His son Xing Zhu-Xiang was elected President.”
Roger set down a hoe that he held.
I was excited to hear more, but I was making him stand holding tools.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Can I help you carry those?” I asked. He let me take the hoe. I followed him to his house where he set his armful in a pile.
“A funeral is gift-giving time,” Roger said. “Now I have things to give.”
“It is a lot,” I said.
“It is for Charles and Clara, but also others in the village,” he said. I nodded.
He picked up a couple items and didn’t ask for help, so I went back to James’ house. James was fishing. I’d wait until he and the other men came ashore before finding Roger again to talk.
I had been concerned for Roger. I hoped he could heal his relationship with his family and the community. He was returning and bearing gifts, so that would help his bond.
In the Kupe’s view, they were all one organism. They were the body of their ancestors that had been divided into their present form.
That was the mechanism of their communion. By eating together, it acknowledged that they were each accepted as part of the body.
It didn’t matter who caught the food and who ate it. All were equally a part of the community. Being in communion wasn’t even Roger’s decision. He’d always be a Kupe no matter where he went to work. It wasn’t his decision, but God’s choice as to where he’d be born, and so he’d become part of that tribe.
There was a limit to the tribal view. In one sense, the people here said they were all descended from Kupe, so they were the same body. However, the idea could be extended further. All people were descended from Atu or Adam, so we’re the same flesh. We all fed each other around the world. If I looked in my cupboard at home, I might even find fish that Roger had canned. The Kupe should be saying that all humans shared the same fate because we were the same family.
No matter where we lived or who ruled over us, it didn’t change the fundamentals of being a human. God has decided that we were all worthy of redemption.
Then I noticed that the men were back. I watched James drop off his fish a few places and bring some for Lydia. When he came out of the kitchen, I spoke.
“Ro
ger came back from Fusang to say Xing’s son was president,” I said. “Maybe Roger can say more if we talk to him.”
“We should,” said James. We went to Henry’s house, and Roger came out. Roger repeated what he’d told me. James waved to other men that they should come. Charles came first, and others followed him. I nodded to Charles. He nodded back.
“Xing’s son was away at college,” said Roger. “He flew in yesterday after he was elected President.”
“Elected?” asked Winslow. “I don’t recall an election.”
“The Sheng would have outvoted you anyhow,” said James. “You had a little hope of succeeding Xing.” Some men laughed.
“We must pay our respects to the new leader, and show sorrow for his loss of a father,” said Edgar. The other men agreed.
“We should bring a gift,” said Edgar.
“I can bring something,” said James.
“Good,” they agreed.
“Should I go?” I asked. I was concerned if the son would hold a grudge that the father was looking for me when he died, but also I wanted to make my case to the son.
“You are one of the Kupe men,” James said.
“Yes, he is,” said Edgar. I had little other choice for eventually getting off the island, except for risking a sea journey. Maybe the son would be happy that he was now President. It was a hopeful sign that the police hadn’t returned for me in the last day and a half.
The men decided that we would go to Fusang after lunch. Then we each returned to our houses.
The men met at the bottom of the hill. James carried one of his small carvings. It took a while until all the men were there. Then we went to Fusang together.
At the Presidential office, the assistant, Min, greeted us. He said the President would see us in five minutes.
When the new President came out we all bowed to him. He looked like a younger version of his father. It scared me a little because that same face had been hunting me not long ago. I kept quiet, and put my head down.
“We are the men of the Kupe,” said James. “We have come to show our sorrow for the loss of your father.”
“Thank you,” said young Xing.
“We honor you and give you this gift,” said James. James bowed as he handed it to young Xing. Xing took it.
“It is Atu, who is our common ancestor,” continued James. “It shows how the Kupe and the Sheng are bound.”
“It is an appropriate gift,” said young Xing. “Are you all Kupe?” The new President looked at me for a second.
“Yes,” said James. “We are all Kupe, and it is all of us but two. One man is too old to walk across the island, and one Keoni is your guest in the Presidential Hotel.”
“He’s my guest?” asked young Xing. James shrugged. Xing looked at Min, and the assistant shrugged too.
“The tourists are coming soon,” said Xing. “What are we doing about that?”
“Whatever you wish,” replied Min. He kept his head bowed.
“Please take him away,” said the President.
My spirits were uplifted at hearing that.
“Thank you,” said James.
“You may go,” said the President. The men backed out.
“Mr. President,” I said, “may we speak further?”
“Okay,” he said. The other men continued to leave. I tried to speak subtly, like I’d seen others do, and not directly demand what I wanted.
“It is unfortunate that the children in New Truro have no school,” I said. The President raised his eyebrow. “…and it is very far for them to walk every day to Fusang. Plus, there may be no room for them here.
“It would be a burden on the State to hire a teacher and buy a bus.”
“Yes, it would,” said the President.
“Yet, we need to be concerned for Truro Shoal’s international reputation. It is not the best to be known as not providing an education.”
“Um…,” said the President, “do you think anyone has any ideas?” He was talking suggestively.
“In the past, some of their priests have also educated the children,” I said. “The person is not paid by the State. If the right person was selected, he could also be their teacher.”
“What would he teach them?” asked the President. His father’s concern was that the Kupe were not integrated into Sheng culture. He had wanted one cohesive people. I thought that young Xing might be beginning to think the same thing.
“One concern is that the Kupe don’t often speak Chinese,” I said. “It is possible to request a Chinese or bilingual preacher. He could teach them in proper Chinese language.”
He looked pleased.
“Would the church agree?” he asked.
“I will tell them that it is your wish,” I said. “I will also promote Truro Shoal however I am able.” He smiled.
“Yes,” he said.
“Thank you,” I said. I bowed and then walked away.
After he left, I stepped to Min’s desk. I was thinking about Keoni. He looked up.
“Hello,” I said. “Would it be okay to acquire a note saying Keoni is supposed to go home?”
“I will tell the police it is okay,” he replied.
“Thank you,” I said. He picked up his phone.
I went out of the office and walked to the hotel. Most of the men were outside waiting. Then James came out with Keoni. They were smiling. Many of the men hugged him. I let them talk for a couple minutes before I said anything.
“I guess my hammock in New Truro is taken,” I said.
“Oh. It will be,” said James. “Someone can make room if you want to sleep there.”
“Yes,” said some men.
“I can sleep in the hotel,” I said. “I may be leaving soon and need to prepare.”
“The new President is allowing a preacher to return,” I continued. They were grateful.
“You must come tonight,” said James. “We will have singing.”
“Okay, I will join you later. I need to figure out my plans,” I said. I shook Keoni’s hand, and they left.
I went into the hotel. I probably looked pretty shabby, but I went to talk to the clerk.
“Hello,” said Jieng-Sheng.
“Hello,” I said. “I might be leaving soon. How do I request the plane?”
“I can do that,” he said. “It will be coming tomorrow and then starts a regular service on the weekend.”
“Do I need to reserve it now?”
“It will be empty as it leaves the next few times so just show up,” said Jieng-Sheng. “After that it could fill.”
“Okay, I’ll plan on leaving tomorrow unless something changes.”
Next, I went to my room. I still had my key. I cleaned up, changed, and then checked email. There were too many messages from work to deal with right then. It wasn’t my priority.
I saw two messages that I needed to open. The first was from my wife. She had tried to call. I thought about the time of day at home. It was much too early to call. She’d be asleep for a few more hours. I replied to the email that she’d probably see me at home in two days.
The second email was from Han Shipping. I thought it might be spam, but the subject was “Church at Truro Shoal.”
The owner, Mr. Han, said that he’d read my editorial in the online church forum. He was going to cancel his contract with Xing’s cannery.
That must have been what caused the former president to go mad. I wished Mr. Han hadn’t told Xing, but in the long run, I guessed it worked out.
I was conflicted about what to do. I didn’t believe that the cannery was good for the sea and the Kupe. It could be why they couldn’t find their favorite fish.
However, it was an economic reality that if Han ended his contract, someone else would surely take his place. Also, I’d promised the younger Xing that I’d promote the island nation. Therefore, I wrote a message praising Mr. Han, telling him that it had
worked, and that the new president might want a reassurance of their renewed relationship.
Young Xing hadn’t mentioned anything about the cannery, so he might not have known. A call of condolences by Mr. Han might resolve it.
I was thinking about the reef. It hadn’t shown much damage beyond missing a favorite species. It couldn’t be relied upon to support the Kupe indefinitely. One advantage of giving their children an education was that they would have more opportunities if they ever needed them.
Finally, I wrote an email to my bosses at the church. I told them that the President had agreed to the return of a priest as long as he was bilingual in Chinese and English. Also, he’d be the town’s teacher and hold lessons in both languages. Xing hadn’t asked that the students be taught in English too, but I’d added that. Remaining bilingual would be a useful asset and would reinforce their culture.
I thought of sending a follow-up editorial to the church magazine. However, I’d delay until I had free time. It was approaching supper and I had a long walk to make. I’d have to return on the same path later at night.
As I walked, I thought of my commitment to the new President. I’d said that I would promote the island. However, he’d taken care of it mostly by himself. With two decisions he made, he would improve its reputation for justice: equal education, and free religion.
These decisions would reflect upon all the people of the island. It wasn’t his reputation that he improved, but that of the country. The action of one person can redeem them in the eyes of the world. All of the inhabitants are raised up when one small group of Kupe are allowed to excel.
That reminded me of what had happened with Gei Duk. Human society had been cruel when he was born. It treated some people, especially the poor, with severe disdain. Back then, our society was not worthy of God’s grace. However, it was the deficiencies that caused Gei Duk to rebel against it. In one sense, it made him want to be good. Even though they tried to cut him down, he was raised up. It was his action that allowed all of us to be redeemed in God’s eyes.
The Kupe benefited from other people’s good deeds. Everyone benefitted.
As I walked down the hill, I saw that they were at the church. It was their place of celebration. I collected my spear barbs then joined everyone in the church.
I talked with several people before the activity started. Roger was there and took part as well.
The ceremony was similar to my first day visiting, except that the storytellers focused more on thanking the ancestors for bringing them to this point. It was their predecessor’s actions that had brought about the peaceful time ahead.
After we ate, James and Lydia approached. I’d left a little food on my plate, so Lydia wouldn’t make me eat more. Although, I should have had more considering it would be the last fresh food I’d have for a long time.
A few other people gathered too when they saw James approach.
“I have brought some fresh coconut,” said Lydia. “It will keep you sustained on your journey.”
“I wish we could give you more,” Lydia said.
“Thank you. You have given me so much already. Thank you for welcoming into your family,” I said. I had learned much from them.
“You have your spear?” asked James.
“Yes,” I said. I showed the barbs. “I don’t have much to give you…”
“You’ve helped so much,” Lydia interrupted.
“Thank you. I will send something later,” I said. I would ship them the supplies for their school from my own expense. They thanked me.
“I plan on leaving tomorrow,” I said.
“When do you fly?” James asked.
“The plane comes in early afternoon,” I said.
“I will come see you then,” he said. I nodded.
Then it was soon time to walk back to the hotel. I said goodbyes to all of the people. I approached Charles. He made himself smile for a moment. Then we nodded at each other.
I walked up the hill. I turned near the top to see New Truro for the last time. It had been like home for a week.
They lived with a unique system of sharing. I thought that it wasn’t possible to have their system on a large scale. There was no way to require sharing with people you didn’t know. It didn’t work in Fusang and that city wasn’t very large.
Their concept of communion was tied closely to sharing food, so if people in large cities couldn’t share, was communion possible for them?
Starvation was not as relevant as it had been in Gei Duk’s time. Very few people starved to death anymore. To understand what it meant to people in that time we’d have to give away so much that we’d be nearly at the point of starvation too. That would never happen, and it doesn’t happen in the rituals as they are practiced at home.
My bosses at the church felt the sacraments were above all else. No other concerns were more important than inclusion of the Kupe in the church.
It certainly was important to have the Kupe in God’s grace. However, the Kupe felt that the redemption came to them through membership in their community. The partaking of sacraments was just symbolic. The real coming together was through acceptance of each other.
Was that form of communion possible in the developed world? Today, what would be equal to how they threw limited food together and shared fates?
Communion was acceptance. It was nothing else. People accepted each other when they shared food, and our God accepted us when we shared with each other.
Communion was not about excluding others who didn’t follow all the rules. It wasn’t our gift to withhold from anyone. The power of the one righteous individual was what redeemed all of us, despite our faults.
Modern communion must be about reaching out to people with needs, not excluding them. It followed Gei Duk’s example when he broke bread with the poor. The poor weren’t the only ones who needed him. We are all needy, because we all have weaknesses.
Thursday, I spent the morning doing work. It seemed odd to have feet in two worlds. I was still on Truro Shoal, but I was mentally transitioning back to home.
I packed up my bags and went to lunch. Then I sat in the lobby. The hotel clerk said the ferry pilot would get me and my bag when it was time. My work would directly handle the hotel bill.
James came to the hotel. He looked uncomfortable with a roof over his head, so I said that we should talk in the fresh air. Then he was his old self again.
“You have two histories now,” he said. “One you grew up with and one from us.”
“I will respect all of my ancestors,” I said. Since I’d been here I’d felt more connected to all people around the world. We were linked because we were one children of God. However, I’d become particularly fond of the Kupe, and their lifestyle.
“Oh,” I said. “I keep forgetting to tell you about a dream I had a few days ago.” Dreams were meaningful to them, so it seemed appropriate to bring up now.
“I was in the hammock trying to fall asleep,” I said. “The hammock was swaying a little. The next thing that I knew, I was on a surfboard on the sea and the sway became the small waves as they passed by. The sea was very calm.
“I was looking up at the sky. The clouds were puffy and changing shape. I felt lost, but then the clouds said, ‘Neal.’ I asked then what they wanted, but the only repeated my name. ‘What should I do?’ I asked, but they said, ‘Neal’ again. Then, later, I woke up.”
“They said your name three times?” said James.
“Yes,” I said.
The boy came to get my bag for the ferry. I waved for him to wait a moment.
“The ancestors say things three times when they really mean it,” said James. “They said you name to show they recognize you.”
“Thank you,” I said. I hugged James and said goodbye. I felt a tear on my face. I followed the boy to the ferry and got on.
James implied many things by the saying the ancestors
recognized me. The word meant more than to only see someone. Its larger meaning was to know who someone was deeply, and to know them completely was to accept them.
The different possible meanings of words reminded me of the difficulties of translating between languages. Part of my hang up with Gei Duk’s resurrection was that his disciples didn’t recognize him. What did they mean by that? Could it be that until that moment they’d never completely understood him? How could they grasp him fully until they saw and accepted that he was risen again?
Gei Duk’s followers talked about seeing him using fanciful language that was symbolic and had exaggeration. However, I couldn’t blame them. Resurrection is completely beyond what we understand as humans. How else could they describe it? Only God comprehends it.
God has the power to resurrect people. I believed that He chose to do so to give us hope. It was His gift to us. Since Gei Duk was shown to be worthy, we are all also made worthy because we share the same body with Gei Duk through our common inheritance.
The Savior’s followers spread across the world to tell the message. We are loved. God’s acceptance of one of us shows that he loves all of us.
I got off the ferry. We’d arrived before the plane this time. I went to the top of the step and looked at the sky. The clouds were balls of cotton. I did not have much time when I was in the city to look at clouds. Buildings and trees blocked an expansive view of them. My life will be much different than the Kupe’s lives now, but they would always stay in my heart.
“You will miss them,” said the clouds.
“I will,” I replied.
The End.
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