The Incredible Meme

By P D Wells

"The Incredible Meme simplifies things for people searching for answers. It is compact, concise and clear. Highly recommended for people with a curiosity about life.” M Payne.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P D Wells
• Release date: Jul 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370851201

P D Wells

P.D.Wells has a degree in fine arts and and a diploma in education. He now lives in the rain forests of eastern Australia.

Book preview

A Modern Parable

Part 3

The

Incredible

Meme

By

P.D.WELLS

‘If you can see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies with you." - Black Elk.

Dedicated to you.

Copyright 2016 P.D.Wells. Editor Peter Merrington. Published by P.D.Wells at Smashwords. First published 2016.

PLEASE NOTE : This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishment, event or locales is entirely co-incidental.

Contents.

Chapter 1. Departure

Chapter 2. The challenge

Chapter 3. Dr Armstrong

Chapter 4. Professor Wallace

Chapter 5. Dr Crispy

Chapter 6. Coffee

Chapter 7. Abraham

Chapter 8. Dawn

Chapter 9. The Yellow Swoosh

Authors note.

Chapter 1. Departure

Ash was summoned to Mrs Blumkin’s house. It wasn't a happy occasion.

Mrs Blumkin was in bed and there were candles at her bedside. The curtain was drawn, but the candle flames flickered in the faint breeze from the half-open window.

In the room alongside hers, the Fellowship had gathered in silence. They were there, in her house, to hold a silent vigil. Their beloved oracle lay dying.

Mrs Blumkin was sinking rapidly. She drifted in and out of consciousness. There were moments when she was present, but then she drifted away again. At times she seemed awake, though far away. At other times she recalled events from her life, and she spoke to people who were not there. At these moments her smile was serene and peaceful, and it seemed that her life was passing in unseen images before her eyes.

TK sat at her bedside. From time to time one of the Fellows went into the bedroom to support him. Mrs Blumkin could no longer raise her head. She was propped up on a large pillow. She looked very old. Dark stains had appeared on her teeth. Her features were sunken and her cheeks were sallow. She breathed with difficulty. It came in shallow gasps and more went out than in.

Twilight fell. Mrs Blumkin woke up and looked around the darkened room. She was alert. Oh! she exclaimed. There's such a beautiful light! The room's filled with it. It’s all the colors of the rainbow. They’re playing over my body. It's so warm and loving. Then she looked at TK with surprise. What’s your name?

TK.

Do I know you?

Yes. He spoke gently. I'm TK, your friend.

Why are you here? Her speech was thick, and her lips dry.

I'm here to help you, said TK. He wetted his finger in a bowl of water and brushed it across her lips.

Thank you, whispered Mrs Blumkin. She lightly squeezed his hand. There was no more warmth in hers, and her breath was cold. Then she raised her hand and pointed. Look! she said. Can you see the mist? It’s swirling towards me. It's filled with tiny shimmering stars! They're so beautiful!

TK quietly stood up. He went over to the room alongside, where the Fellowship had gathered. They looked at him and he nodded. It's time, he said.

As one, they all rose and moved silently into Mrs Blumkin’s room. They gathered, heads bowed, at the foot of the bed. Juliet, sobbing quietly, buried her head in Dr Swan’s shoulder.

TK went over to the dresser and fetched a small bowl of olive oil. Then he returned to the bedside and sat down. He dipped his finger into the bowl and anointed Mrs Blumkin's hands. Quietly, as he did so, he spoke: May the Creator, in his great mercy, pardon you, dear friend, and forgive whatever sins you have committed.

A sob burst from Juliet. No, she begged, please don’t take her!

Through this anointing oil, continued TK softly, signing the cross on her forehead with the oil, may the Creator, in his love, guide and protect your soul.

Juliet sank to her knees. Noooo …. Please don’t take her! Please!

Tears oozed from Mrs Blumkin’s eyes, but her features were glowing with a look of immeasurable joy. Oh, she rasped, the wind! The great wind is here! It's come to fetch me! She tried to raise her head and look up at the gathered people. I … I …I'm being swept along by an enormous wind....

No! wailed Juliet, collapsing to the floor. Please don’t take my mother! Dr Swan knelt down beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.

A shiver ran through Mrs Blumkin, then her eyes rolled upwards and she exhaled her final breath.

It’s over, whispered TK. He reached across the bed and closed her eyes. He then placed his hand on Mrs Blumkin’s forehead. He spoke quietly: May the Creator look kindly upon your deeds, and raise you up. With these words, dear friend, we commend your soul.

He stood up from the bedside, clasped his hands before him and bowed his head. His chest heaved and a tremor ran across his shoulders. In the silent dark, in the company of the Fellowship, he struggled to control his grief.

A great life has passed, he said quietly. Let us give thanks.

A great soul has passed, repeated the Fellows. Let us give thanks.

Chapter 2. The challenge

Ash’s second journey had started at Fish Hoek beach, when TK had spoken about the importance of having a will. TK had spoken about the inevitability of death, and the need to prepare for it. Since then Ash had managed to ignore the subject of his mortality.

The vigil at Mrs Blumkin’s bedside had changed that.

Until that moment Ash had assumed that when you cross over the lights go out, they put you in a casket, and the maggots finish the job. What was the Creation Spirit that TK had invoked at Mrs Blumkin’s bedside?

What had struck Ash in particular was TK's role at the vigil - his words, his quiet wisdom, and his offering of the last rites.

Ash was impressed and moved. He wanted to know about life after death.

And so a new path unfurled before him.

He had wondered why fate had intervened to rescue him from his collapsing past. Was it pure chance? The Money Fountain, and Conscious Wealth, had been revealed to him. At first he put this down to his good luck, but now it seemed to him that more might be involved.

He thought about the many little events that had made big impacts on his life - how they had changed the trajectory of his life. Sometimes he dared to think that there was a guiding hand, or force, that had singled him out. It ushered him along and kept him safe. But he could not imagine this force. The spirit remained invisible and out of reach. It did not talk to him. Ash wasn't one who trusted easily. He was modern. He needed proof.

He began his research into the afterlife by speaking to a Father in the church - but the churchman's answer had not satisfied Ash. Then he retreated to his thinking-spot at the farthest end of the harbor wall in the fishing village of Kalk Bay. There, with the tide rising and falling just below his feet, and the small lighthouse and its red larboard light behind him, he let his thoughts drift.

While his thoughts drifted a little door in the back of his mind clicked open, and a bright idea popped in. ‘Why not ask TK?’

That was a good idea. TK had been his mentor and taught him about the Money Fountain and Conscious Wealth. TK had also guided Mrs Blumkin in her passing, and anointed her. TK was sure to know something about life after death. He decided to give TK a call as soon as he got home.

Ash had barely dialed the number when TK answered. It seemed as if TK was expecting his call. He agreed to meet Ash – inviting him to his home.

As the day of the meeting drew closer Ash grew nervous. He knew very little about TK, and his administering the last rites had come as a complete surprise. TK had never spoken about himself, and Ash had not asked. Ash knew nothing about TK’s family, his likes, dislikes, his beliefs or his interests. In short, TK remained an enigma. And because Ash feared the unknown - he became nervous.

It was a hot Sunday afternoon when Ash drove over to meet TK.

The drive took him past Mrs Blumkin’s mansion, the Olympia Bakery, and his own thinking-spot in Kalk Bay Harbor. He followed the road around the headland and the white sandy beach at Fish Hoek came into view. He was surprised – there was something strange. The popular beach looked crowded yet the traffic seemed light. He glided smoothly past all the obstacles. Even the pedestrians seemed to part before him.

Ash glided around the traffic circle at the southern end of Fish Hoek’s main road and found the hidden side street that TK had referred to. Gearing down, he slowly climbed the narrow winding road.

TK's home was perched on the hillside overlooking Fish Hoek valley. Ash parked in the shade of a tree, got out, stretched, straightened his shirt and took a deep breath. He looked down at the house. It was a long, narrow and double-storied home.

Ash noted the neat and well-kept garden. In the distance he could hear the dull rumble of the waves crashing on the beach. A vehicle, stuck in the traffic far below, hooted angrily. He was just about to lock his car when a large rooster came strutting down the street toward him. It really was a fine bird, with rich plumage and a strong erect scarlet comb. When the cock saw Ash it stood up to its full height and crowed.

Stupid chicken thought Ash. Who would waste energy crowing a wake-up call in the middle of such a hot day?. Then he turned and walked down the garden path.

When he got to the front door he looked for the buzzer - but he couldn't find it. Then he saw a chain strung with bells. He jangled them. Glancing down he saw a small green concrete frog squatting amongst some ferns at his feet. The frog held a placard which read 'I’m so happy I could croak'.

Ash smiled. He wished he felt that way about his life – but he didn’t. He didn’t realize that he could be in complete control of his life. This was why Destiny had brought him to this doorway. This was the beginning of his journey to real power.

Big moments often pass innocuously – and this one slipped past as Ash waited. There was no answer and he jangled the bells again. Then he waited some more. Again there was no answer. He checked his watch. It confirmed he was on time. He jangled the bells a third time. Then, from deep inside the