On the continent of Africa, in its north east
corner, lays a country of Egypt. It is full of mysterious pyramids, sphinx and
hieroglyphs (a writing system composed of pictures of people, animals, plants,
and objects). On one of those hieroglyphs from the 19th century BC,
found not so long ago, was written a story. It is a tale of a sailor who
voyaged on the Red Sea (stretching along the shores of eastern Egypt) and of
his experience which taught him that good comes out of misfortune.
A long time ago, a crew of 120 of the best and
bravest sailors was put together on a mission to Nubia, which today is part of
southern Egypt. In those lands vast mines were full of gold. They set sail for
those riches. They sailed along the Red Sea until a great storm caught them. They
were not afraid of a storm, but the deep rough sea swallowed them easily and
quickly except one sailor.
His still body resting on a piece of driftwood was
pushed to the shore by the now calmed waves. When he felt sand under his body,
he lifted his head and saw the most beautiful paradise, full of fig trees, grapes,
vegetables and abundance of fish. He ate until he was full. Then he built a
fire and made an offering to the gods, thanking them for the safety.
After a quiet meal and offering, the ground suddenly
trembled. He laid down on his knees curling up with his head close to knees.
When the ground calmed down, he raised his head and saw a gigantic Serpent. It
spoke in a loud voice, “Where are you from and why are you here?” The sailor
was so terrified that he lost his tongue.
The Serpent sensing it added, “Do not worry. I won’t
harm you.” And then the sailor gained his courage and told the story of his
voyage.
“I know how you feel. I lived here with my sisters,
brothers, and children. We lived peacefully and in harmony until a star fell
from the sky and killed all except me.”
The sailor hearing the Serpent’s story wept for his
own family.
“Don’t cry. You are safe here. And a day will come
that you will be rescued by your men.” The Serpent spoke with such certainty,
which made the sailor believe that it would happen.
In the following weeks and months, they lived
together and became good friends.
One sunny day, when the sailor was atop a tree
picking its fruits, he saw a ship in the far distance. He stood still as the
ship was heading toward the shore. When it neared him, he then recognized it
was an Egyptian ship.
He rushed to tell the news to the Serpent, but it
already knew it, “Farewell my dear friend. You will be home soon with your
family. And after your rejoicing time, I ask you of only one thing, speak well
of me and establish my good name.”
The sailor received many goods from the Serpent
including animals and precious things.
Upon reaching his homeland, he brought all those
gifts to Pharaoh, who rewarded him with a fine house and appointed him a
lieutenant.
What the sailor didn’t know was that the island
which saved his life was the Island of Soul and his experience was edged in his
heart.
Source: The Shipwrecked Sailor. An Egyptian Tale
with Hieroglyphs by Tamara Bower
No comments:
Post a Comment