1st Interval

Heryshaf's Uncle continued, “Your father gave me four secrets, four of his discoveries that he wanted me to pass to you. He told me that these four secrets are worth more than any material gift; more precious than any perfume. He told me that these four secrets have the power to transform any sheep who applies them into something more.”

“What are these four secrets?” interrupted Heryshaf.

“Silence, boy. Listen,” croaked his Uncle, breathing heavily.

“Your father explained the significance of his discoveries. He stressed the importance of re-telling them to you in a very specific order.”

“He explained that his enquiries into the nature of life and reality had led him to understand that always and in everything, every big and small phenomenon, every circumstance, every growing creature and every dying moment can be viewed from three specific points of view.”

“He explained that there are always three forces acting on everything, in everything, and through everything.”

“He said that once one could understand this in his mind, experience it in his body and believe it in his heart then certain hidden mysteries begin to become manifest.”

“It is the clear decision to be aware of yourself that changes everything.”

“He said he left you these four secrets, to remind you of this fact!”

“But Uncle, you said there are four secrets — not three?” questioned Heryshaf.

“Exactly,” said his Uncle. “Exactly four.”

The old sheep’s eyes began to close.

“Uncle?”

No answer.

“Uncle!”

Heryshaf shook him gently.

“Eh? Ah. Where was I?” stammered his Uncle.

“You were about to tell me my Father’s secrets. You said there were four secrets, and that I would be reminded of these four secrets by understanding the three forces which operate in everything.”

“Not so fast, young sheep,” coughed his Uncle. “Your father also ordered me to give you a warning before explaining his discoveries.”

“A warning?”

“The price of knowledge.”

Heryshaf became quiet.

“Your father said that although knowledge is power, sometimes it is better to live in ignorance, for further knowledge does not necessarily lead to happiness. There are things which, once known, cannot be unknown.”

Heryshaf thought of his reflection in the river.

His Uncle continued.

“A great teacher once said to your father, ‘To know all, it is only necessary to know a little. But in order to know this little, it is first necessary to know pretty much.’”

“I’m not sure I’m following you,” said Heryshaf.

“That is to be expected,” continued the old sheep.

“Your dear father also proved to me that sheep can only understand knowledge which they are ready to hear. He explained that it is useless and folly indeed to cast pearls before swine — or sheep; that even the greatest teacher cannot give anything to a student which the student does not already possess.”

“All that such a teacher can do is help crystallise what has already been learned before.”

“Then, and only then, can a fourth force enter.”

Heryshaf wanted to ask what that meant, but something told him not to.

“In all honesty, Heryshaf, that is why I have left it until now to give you your Father’s gifts. However, now that my time is almost up and I can feel the greater sleep falling upon me, I must deliver on my promise to your father, even if his words fall upon deaf ears.”

“They won’t,” said Heryshaf.

His Uncle looked at him.

“You don’t know that.”

Heryshaf hesitated.

“No.”

“Good.”

The old sheep smiled faintly.

“In time you may come to understand all he had to give you, but as of now, simply listen and memorise these secrets of his. Over the coming years they will make more sense to you.”

He drew another shallow breath.

“So relax and breathe deeply, my dear Brother’s son. Become aware of yourself. Now is the time to take what your father felt were the most valuable four possessions he could give you.”

He looked into Heryshaf’s eyes.

“I now pass them to you, Heryshaf, the lamb he loved so much.”

Heryshaf breathed deeply and looked fondly into his Uncle’s fading grey eyes. He felt like he was watching the scene unfold from a distance. As if he were simultaneously inside and outside of his own body. A strange feeling arose in him of great, distant, compassion. The very air in his lungs felt somehow - finer.

“Beware thinking these four discoveries to be too simple to contain the wisdom of your father’s whole life. These four secrets he wished to share with you I will tell you now:”

The old sheep spoke the last words slowly, as though setting each one down where it could not be lost. Then he was quiet.

When Heryshaf looked up, his uncle's eyes had closed, and the field was very quiet.