Gen.1:17-19
"…male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them: Be faithful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it… Then God said: "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food".
We come into this world, carrying a seed of our fathers, passed through generations. This little seed represents our identity. In some cases, it gets cultivated through family traditions and special environment, but not everyone is so privileged. Anyway, as long as this secret seed is inside, you can figure out who you are…
One day I went to discover a mysterious business world of the adults. Upon entering, I immediately heard: "Welcome to the world of your dreams! Here everyone can become a singer. Our song festival starts tomorrow. We provide all the orchestration. Catch the opportunity of your life and do not waste time!" A master of intrigues met me at the gate with a question: "Why are you standing here alone, like if you had no value? Come on in; let me introduce you to some important and influential people here…" - and he quickly dived into the crowd.
A couple approached me. They looked at me from different angles and said: "You're not eating right! All the participants in the song festival have to meet certain requirements of shape and weight. You need special food supplements that will enrich your diet. Don't waste time! We will explain everything to you and will be your suppliers…”
But before I could respond, another couple approached me. "Who is your singing partner? - They questioned me. - You need to have one for the festival!” They scanned me from head to toe and concluded: "You're not old yet. We will find a compatible partner and will get you started. Don't waste time! Come over here and start blending in…”
But before I could make my first step in that direction, yet another couple approached me. "Look at you! – They exclaimed, - you don't fit here! You look like a total stranger! People won't' be able to recognize you, unless you own at least a few of those beautiful, fine things of this world! The shine of the gold will surely help you to identify yourself!”
I never felt in such a state of need as at that moment. I almost fainted… The master of intrigues hastened to my rescue:
"All those changes only seem so dramatic, - He said; - in fact, they are only a few simple adjustments to make. Let me take care of the details. Trust me, I'm a master. I can arrange a very good deal for you, very cheap, - that will guarantee your prominence among all the other singers."
I still didn't understand: "What I need to do?"
“Come with me, and you'll see, but speed up, since we don't have a whole lot of time.”
At the end of a long corridor, he opened a door before me, saying: "You are welcome to a secret place". In the middle of that room stood a strange altar.
“Am I gonna die now?”
“Oh no! - He almost laughed, - It's a very simple motion. I'll explain to you quickly: One injection and your identity will drop out of you. We'll take the seed out and give you your identity right back. It will look exactly the same as your original one. You won't even notice any difference from the outside. Nobody will ever know that it's a false one; this deal will remain in secret… Come on! You need cash now, don't you? You don't want to sacrifice your great opportunity for recognition! This is the most important business decision you should make.”
I needed help and looked around… On every wall, the word "Whoredom" was written in all different languages. I started to shudder, but in attempts to hide it, inquired:
“What are you doing with those seeds? Are they kept some place?”
“Oh, no! Once they are out, who needs them? But in our leading business, we do not waste anything! We scatter them on the ground to serve as a fertilizer.”
I was trying to win more time.
“What would be in a place of my seed?”
“Not to worry, we have most advanced techniques: One option, the most popular, is to coat a hole with tar. The other option is to glaze it. There is always a bigger price to pay for a higher quality, but you are eligible for a credit. How does it look to you?”
“It looks like …filth…”
“Oh, no! - He interrupted, - You are distorting the reality, but I can help you. You are saying this only because you're looking from a wrong angle. Adult business world will teach you to find a right perspective to look at things. You will understand it much better, once you'll learn – when to creep and when to stand in an upright position. But for now, just trust me, just flow!”
I gathered all my efforts, trying to stand up on the inside and said: "But if a flow is contaminated, what would change if I look at it from a different angle?!”
He was enraged: "You are contaminated yourself! I don't want to waste my precious time with you! I need to be available for the newcomers!” - And he left in fury.
And then I remembered… a story that my father told me when I was a child. A story about two brothers: Jacob and Esau. There was a special identity, called "birthright". Esau was the firstborn and had all the chances, but he neglected it:
Gen.25:32 "… Esau said; "What good is the birthright to me?"
He sold his birthright for a portion of lentil soup. Esau despised his right to be a carrier of a seed and sold it. Of course, in exchange, he received what he was craving for at that moment under those circumstances; but as a result, he missed the blessing of his father. But Jacob won to become a carrier of the promise, blessing and covenant with the Almighty. And I remembered so clear: after telling me that story, right before I felt asleep, my father hugged me and said: "You are Jacob. Be careful not to lose your right of identity".
"What a horror! Your story made me shaking!" – You may say.
I'm glad you recognize it for what it is, but isn't it much better to shake before than after?