The Spider's Web Part 3
One day before his exams, Vincent was very nervous, although he had prepared himself very carefully. He was not confident. He particularly remembered the story about Moses and the children of Israel. “You see, Vincent, we are always afraid of the next day and of the future,” the senior de Montaigne had said. “Let me tell you a story about the Israelites in the Desert. After the people of God had faced so many obstacles, and despite God’s many miracles, they were still complaining to Moses. One day they were subjected to a new trial; there was no food to eat, so they again lamented to Moses, who spoke to God and asked for advice. God performed another miracle. This time he created ‘Manna’ (the bread from Heaven). The people in the desert were unappeased and groaned, ‘What kind of God is this, who gives us only one kind of food to eat?’ Moses, upon hearing their protest, again called upon God. God replied, ‘Moses! Moses! Do you think I do not hear? Tell my people that this Manna contains every conceivable taste; while they eat it they will savor any meal they desire’ Once again Moses was happy to convey God’s message. The Israelites who were concerned about the next day, had stored as much Manna as they could. The next morning, the holy bread had rotted and was infested with worms. Again the children of God were furious. ‘What kind of God is this, who gave us bread that rots?’ Moses, sensing their fury, again addressed God. Then he suddenly heard God's voice, louder than it had ever been. ‘Moses! Moses! Don't my people trust me even for one day? If I was able to create Manna yesterday, can I not create it again today?’ Moses was both ashamed and embarrassed at having conveyed such a message to God.”
Vincent's father continued, "My son, if you have been successful in so many exams in the past, what makes you doubt your success this time?" Vincent perceived what his father was attempting to illustrate. His message was, "have confidence in tomorrow". The next day Vincent passed his exams with high honors. From that moment on, Vincent regained his self-confidence. He enjoyed such tales from the Bible every night, embellished by his father’s comments.
Because the Bible had made such an impression upon Vincent, the history of Egypt and the Suez Canal held an even greater fascination. Vincent was most impatient to see the great manmade waterway, which connected the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, while hoping to discover the Pyramids and other places referred to in the Bible. Vincent's mind teemed with dreams and curiosity. There was so much to read. He had never been so eager to study history as he was now.
The senior de Montaigne, who usually inspired Vincent with his serenity and wisdom, now appeared quite different. Vincent could discern a sign of happiness and nervousness in his face, but he could not pinpoint the kind of thoughts passing through his father’s mind. Once in a while the senior de Montaigne interrupted the silence with a sentence like, "I think we will have a good time there". His words seemed to hide his feelings. Vincent sensed that his Dad now wanted to strengthen and justify his spontaneous decision of making their forthcoming trip. He looked in his father’s eyes, but this time the senior de Montaigne's visual expression had changed slightly. He even tried to avoid Vincent's observant gaze, and as he turned his face, he said, “You know, Vincent, you will discover so many new things. Perhaps you will even meet a nice girl!”
Vincent was reticent about responding to his father's words. He knew that his dad just wanted to break the silence. The senior de Montaigne could not realize what this trip would mean to Vincent. He thought his decision to take the trip might have a negative impact on the young man. Because Vincent knew and understood his father very well, he began to feel sorry for him. He wanted to prevent his father from vacillating further. In order to reinforce his father's decision, Vincent decided to break the ice: “Daddy, do you know how proud I am to have a father like you? I have been anticipating such a momentous decision for so many years.” His father's expression started to change; the senior de Montaigne looked happy this time. Vincent had cleared the air. Both the de Montaignes now felt relieved and comfortable. Vincent continued, "Dad, I am happy to leave Europe and to discover a new world. You will also be happy there.”
Although he knew very little about India, Vincent felt a kind of warmth spreading through his heart, at mere thought of going to India. Vincent was more excited than his father could imagine. He experienced the feelings of someone returning home after a long period of exile. He could not understand the existence of such unknown emotions. Had his father's stories awakened those feelings that Vincent had never been prepared for? Vincent looked at his father with a sweet smile and said, “Daddy, can you tell me a story about Jesus?”
The senior de Montaigne, pleased to hear Vincent's request, replied, “Do you remember the story about Jesus when he was young?” Vincent, filled with curiosity, replied “Do you mean when he went to India to study?” Vincent's father knew that he had never related such a story; in astonishment he asked Vincent, “Who told you such a story? Jesus never went to India! He went to Egypt with his parents when he was still a baby. At that time his father was looking for work in Egypt.”
Vincent, wanting to confirm what he had once heard, answered, “Dad, oh yes, he did study in Egypt; right?” The senior de Montaigne was shocked by Vincent's version and he corrected his son. “In the first place, Jesus never went anywhere to study. If someone wants to study, he need not go anywhere. Knowledge is in our hearts; we just have to dig deep enough. If we just discover our hearts' language we will not need to study anymore.You are confusing my stories with some else’s. I know that there is a story about seven men who came from India to visit Jesus, in Judea, of whom three were very close to him. They initiated him so that he found himself. Everyone tells a story in his own way, there is nothing wrong with it. Everyone also understands the truth as he chooses. In reality there is only one truth, and he who finds it will have to keep it to himself.”
Vincent interrupted his Dad, “Dad, do you think it is worth making such a big effort, only with the hope that your friend may help you in your business?” “ My dear Vincent without hope and faith nothing can help us in this life. Every day brings us new hope and a new dream."
The senior de Montaigne, who did not get to tell his story about Jesus, found in Vincent's question the best opportunity to begin his tale.
"One day, Jesus was walking with his disciples through the desert. The sun blazed so strongly that everyone began to lose his strength. they were all parched with thirst and exhausted. One of the disciples saw a coin lying on the sand but was too lazy to bend down for it. Jesus, who was walking behind him, bent down himself and picked up the coin. After a while, they reached a small village. None of them had any money to buy anything. Jesus, who had the coin, bought cherries. He continued walking, while throwing cherries behind him, one at a time. The same disciple, who had not bent down for the coin, was now bending down to pick up every cherry."
Vincent understood the message and said to his Dad, "I will bend down even for a small coin. I may find a use for it".
“If we are invited, why should we refuse, or doubt our friend Mershenson?” answered the senior de Montaigne, with his usual calmness. Vincent did not wish to disturb his father's hope and dream, although he was not convinced by his father's argument. In order not to arouse a controversy with his father, and because he wanted to appease him, Vincent said, “Dad, you are right, we have only one true friend in this world.” The senior de Montaigne smiled without reaction. He seemed to understand Vincent's allusion. “Our best friend is always there when we need him”, said Vincent's father calmly.
This conversation between father and son was the first one of its kind. Both the de Montaignes were now silent and looked one another in the eyes. Both men were content and felt the joy without having to say a word. Vincent went to bed and sought to find a way to remember the joy his father had evoked in him, until his thoughts were taken over by sleep.
It was on a Wednesday that Vincent and his father embarked on a newly built steamer. Vincent was as excited as a little boy. On his first trip, when he had taken the ship from New York, Vincent had been sad and afraid of everything. Now that he was an adult, Vincent was acutely aware of every facet of the trip. His father had booked a nice stateroom, with two beds on the third deck of the ship. The vessel was modern in comparison to the first one. This time Vincent was full of hopes for the future. His attitude was most positive; he found everything stimulating.
After settling in their cabin, Vincent was eager to familiarize himself with the ship. His father preferred to relax in their stateroom. Vincent explored every deck; he even visited the boiler room. He was consumed by curiosity. He knew that they would have to spend many weeks in their temporary floating home. He remembered his first transatlantic crossing which had brought him from America and felt as though he had never left the ship since his boyhood. It was as though he was forged with the ship and the sea. All those years that he had spent in Europe were now erased from memory. He sensed a strong attraction to the ship although he had never seen this ship before. On his first trip, the direction of the ship had been from West to East. This time their course did not change. The large port of Marseilles, which ensconced the city like a lake, was surrounded by many buildings. The water reflected the blueness of the sky. Many travelers, passenger and merchant ships created a lively atmosphere. Freight, crates and people of diverse nationalities headed in dif¬ferent directions had contributed their colors to the decor of the bustling city. All this tumult went unnoticed by Vincent. His mind was plunged in the journey ahead and in the future. He was so completely absorbed that he forgot all about Paris, his school and his friends. Everything around him seemed like a dream. All the sufferings and sad moments that he had endured were now nonexistent. He did not even want to enter into conversation with the other passengers. Vincent was content to remain alone looking at the sky and the water. He did not realize that he had already been on the ship for three hours; the time had passed quickly and without his notice. The ship was still anchored at the pier. Many families and friends were waving farewell to their relatives and loved ones. These gestures made Vincent realize that the ship had now truly begun to move. The colorful houses surrounding the port also started to move. Vincent could not figure precisely which were really moving, the houses or the ship. Slowly, slowly, the port became a picturesque panorama. The people on the pier became smaller and smaller. He felt the ties of the rope which bound him to the vessel. Although this liner was much more modern than the one which had brought him to Europe, Vincent could not sense
any difference. It is amazing how one can become so attached to a new location, that one can forget any other place in which one has lived for a long period of time.
Vincent also felt like he was trapped by the magnetic forces of the ship and the sea. This time he was going happily towards the unknown. Deep within himself, he knew that he had to go, although he had not made the decision for taking the trip. Vincent felt that he was being carried downstream like a small fish in a river. Any resistance would be to no avail. He knew he could not have changed the course of this trip even if he had wanted to do so. But Vincent did not offer any resistance. Just to go—that had been his dream, although he could not anticipate what unknown destiny awaited him. Vincent did not even realize that he had been separated from his beloved father. For a moment he sensed that he had no control over his future, but he was pleased with these feelings. Vincent was immersed so deeply in his thoughts, that he did not realize that the sun had started to set, making way for nightfall. The ship was already on the open sea. Vincent could now see the mountains which were beginning to dissipate on the horizon. A few stars began to light up the sky. Now the ship was enveloped in obscurity. There was no difference between the sea and the sky; only that the one had its brilliant inhabitants.
The senior de Montaigne, who had been searching for Vincent, was now loudly calling, “Vincent! Vincent!” When he reached his son's side, Vincent appeared to be awakening from a dream. “Vincent! I have been looking for you for hours! Didn’t you hear me?” Vincent who was a little embarrassed about having forgotten his father, replied, “I am sorry, Dad, I was admiring the sea.”
"It is time for dinner.”
Copyright Emile M. Tubiana 2009 all rights reserved
