All the train pulled into Garden Park station all overhead lights were turned on around the station . It was twilight and the passengers got off the train slowly and went to the exit gate . The tall figure of the ticket collector stood checking everyone’s tickets .
The ticket master took a close look at the travel pass and said.
“Oh my, oh my . I never thought I’d see this in my lifetime . This is just amazing .The ticket to paradise some people have called it . You know I’ve heard so many things about this travel pass of yours . You’re very lucky indeed . It is the only one of its kind . The last time it was in circulation was almost two hundred years ago. “
Dave replied ,
““I wasn’t aware of that and it fills me with wonder . You know I‘ve been told that I’ve been chosen which makes me feel very honoured because not many are . So far all I can tell you is it’s that I’ve been on a journey full of magic and wonder . I’ve seen so many unexpected places and somehow, I’m getting used to the feeling of being lost in another world with a ticket of no return ,“
The ticket collector replied ,
‘You’re very lucky . I heard stories about this about this travel pass you have . It is the only one of its kind . The last time it was in circulation was almost two hundred years ago . “
The ticket collector took another look at the travel pass then handed it back to Dave “
Dave walked out of the station in the twilight where people were out walking together appreciating the half-light and gentle colours of the sunset .
It was another moment when everything seemed to stand still A young man appeared from nowhere and rushed along the sideway shouting.
“Does anybody really know the truth of what’s happening ? .“
Most of the people on the street just tried to avoid him and kept well away from him as if he was mad . Again, the young man shouted .
“Is there anyone can answer me . What is truth ?”
Dave responded .
“Truth is more than the reality we see around us because the is truth is things we don’t perceive . So, truth is a seed that is planted in the deepest part of our being that makes us believe in what we do “
The young man replied.
“Please come and walk with me in the Garden Park before the day is gone for, I may not be here much longer my friend “
Dave went and stood beside the young man and said ,
“I’d be happy to walk with you and talk with you “
They walked together for a while nut it never seemed to get any darker. They came to a beautiful garden that was so green . It was full of flowers in bloom and on one of the rose bushes there was one rose that had died .
The young man pointed to the dead rose and said ,
“Look at that , it’s been left here too long exposed to harsh conditions and all it need was someone to appreciate its beauty “
“That’s so true about life , so many people as well are unappreciated and a little part of them dies inside .”
The young man plucked the dead rose and held up to the sky and said ,
“I love this rose “
Suddenly the rose began to bloom again and, in the time, it reappeared again the young man placed the rose in his pocket . Then he said ,
“I’m going to take this rose home with me and put it in a vase to bring beauty to my house . Have you ever been thirsty in need of water to drink or where your ever so tired and weary that you felt like a season passing away to make way for another season”.
Dave replied.
“When I had a family, I used to work in the garden and I often got thirsty and my wife would come and bring me water to drink and the children sometimes would stand with me for a while and tell me to have a break . They seemed to know when I was tired . In the spring there were many different fragrances in the garden but when the autumn arrived everything change and the children used to ask me why the flowers had died . There were times I was so tired with working all day but another a new day always came to refresh me again”.
The young man replied ,
“When you had a family , that was a season of your life but then another season came and they were gone and the flowers that died always return . “
Dave replied ,
“People have spoken to me before about many things but the things you’ve said to me have really knocked me off my feet . You’ve brought light into my darkness and I can see things a little clearer now “
The young man smiled and said.
“ In the dark of night and the moons the only light , there’s silence in the garden and an invisible rose that no one has ever seen grows with a fragrance sweet enough to last for an eternity and for that rose my friend is Gethsemane’s rose.”
Suddenly it got dark and the sounds of people running could be heard .
The young man was surrounded by several armed police officers and the officer in charge approached the young man searched him . He took the rose form his pocket and crushed it under his feet . Another one of the policemen grabbed him and shook him .
Dave didn’t know what to do or say . The police pushed him out of the way .
A few people gathered to see what all the commotion was about but they were told to move along . The officer in charge said to Dave there was nothing to worry about and that everything was under control now that they had made their arrest . The young man and said to the police,
“ You must all be well paid for the job you do “
They replied.
“We are paid to keep law and order in Garden Park . We get told what to do and when to do it. At the end of the week, we get our wages . What crime have I committed ? “
“ You’re the leader of a gang who is plotting to overthrow the government .We know all about you and those in collusion with what you’re doing .“
The police took him away in hand cuffs . Dave saw a tent underneath a tree in the middle of the garden near to a children’s playground area . He called out.
‘Hello, is anyone there “
A young man answered , were you talking to the person who was just arrested ?”
“Yes , who was he ?”
“Someone who notices what’s going but we that are also aware are frighted to say his name in case we as well will be arrested “
“Is he really trying to overthrow the government ?”
“You spoke to him didn’t you . Did he seem like a terrorist to you ?”
Dave said ,
“No . He actually seemed a kind and wise person “
The man in the tent said.
“We noticed he took an interest in you as soon as you answered his question about what truth is ?”
Dave replied ,
“Well, no one else responded to him when he spoke so I thought I would try to answer his question “
“Well tomorrow I’m leaving . Maybe I’ll be the next one to be arrested .”
“’What crime did you commit ?”
Dave asked and the answer came ..
“I’m not a criminal , it’s just , they don’t like me because I’m one of his friends and if they have his name, I’m sure they will also have my name as well . That’s how it is . You see there are informers who were once part of our movement . We are known as peacekeepers . We are not criminals . “
“So, if you identify as a peacekeeper , then you know the truth will come out in the end and those who are making trouble will have to face charges for the wrongs they’ve done “
Dave said and the young man there replied .
“I can’t see the future but I hope that’s what will happen . So, I assume you’re a visitor here to Garden Park, I have never seen you around here before “
“Well, I just came on the train today . Now it looks like it’s too late to find a place to stay the night “
Dave looked a little worried and the young man responded.
“If you don’t mind sleeping a bit rough , you’re welcome to stay here in the tent . Better than walking around the streets in the dark “
That night as Dave lay in the tent, he was thinking about the kind young man who had been arrested and wondered if his prison cell was cold and uncomfortable . He eventually fell asleep and soon morning came .
A small camping stove had cooked some eggs and toast . Some coffee was brewed and they both enjoyed a little conversation before going separate ways .
Dave returned to the railway station with memories of the kind man who was arrested the night before . He hoped that the truth would be told and he would be set free . When the morning train arrived Dave took a seat by the window and on the platform, he saw the young man who had been arrested waving goodbye and he was happy to know he was no longer in a prison cell .
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