Not Even A Seed of Gratitude

It was a long list of chores, all mundane, all unremarkable, that I tackled before I headed to be with my Master. The journey was long but I was light and willing. No luggage and with lots of time to reflect and meditate. I thought I had reached early. But before me were thousands milling who waited to be with Master. I followed them all, feeling neither relief, nor excitement. I watched them all from a distance, as if I was watching a dream. Soon we were herded in different rooms. Some were automatically sent to the room that read sorrow, others into room that said anger. People filed past me into rooms like: lust, love, pride, healing, ego, and finally came my turn. I saw the right room for me- Gratitude and I entered into it. There was not much space for me in there. I was small and I squeezed in. People continued to trickle in and bargained softly for better places. The things they bought for the Master never ceased to amaze me. Some had peacocks, some chariots of gold, some had diamonds, and some had silk robes. I even saw a huge mountain, a park with fountains, and a forest filled with sandal trees. Many came to me, to inquire if I was in the right room. 'How can you come empty handed in gratitude?' they asked. I kept silent for I knew not the answer. 'Can you help me hold this?' asked another. It was large, gem-studded palanquin. I could easily see Master seated in that. But, I thought I heard him say, 'I have good legs, thank you!' I laughed and laughed until tears drenched my dress. The Gratitude room went silent and my laugh echoed all around. 'Someone, please put sense into her,' muttered a man. Soon I stopped and into the hush came an announcement: 'line up please, in a single file. Master will be here to talk to you all.' I found myself at the head of the line. A lady with white elephants said, 'Please, may I, since you have nothing to offer.' Another said, 'I need to attend to my child, may I go head of you?' 'My bird can't take this wait any longer, may I?' I moved down the line feeling the burden of their gratitude. Soon I was out of the woods, into the highway, past the mountains, rivers, and over the bridges. The line was longer and everyone wanted to be one ahead. Just one ahead! Finally I came to the desert. I stopped there to find I was last in the line. All I had to do now was to wait. Master had said He would come. I heard people ahead of me mutter, ‘this heat. These bugs. O! I wish I had come months earlier to be in the lead.’ No matter how discomforted they were, they were always clear about quizzing me. ‘You have nothing to offer!’ ‘And you are in the gratitude line!’ I sat in the desert watching the sand weave patterns. I looked at the clouds and for an instant I saw not only the moon, but also the stars and rainbow. They all stood there waiting for the Master. I counted neither hours, days, nor thirst, hunger. I compared not with anyone. I was content just to be. Suddenly there was an increase in noise level. I opened my eyes and there He was! He was in front of me. A surge of tears, a reserve I never knew I had conserved, tumbled out to wash my Master’s feet. I fell prostrate and pressed my forehead on His feet leaving the trace of the vermillion I wore. Master said nothing. Neither did I. Master said everything in a smile. I comprehended nothing. ‘Ma’ I could see His eyes twinkle, ‘I find elephants and palanquins intimidating. I prefer empty hands and hearts filled with love. Where is that seed of gratitude you brought Me?’ ‘I have none in hand, Master’ I said, confused that He knew all along. ‘Then take me to where you left it’ He said with a joyful laugh that brought the rainbow out in the skies. We tread across the same sand, Master and I, and walked to the oasis. ‘It was only a desert when I planted the seed of gratitude’ I explained. Master nodded. ‘This is my seed of gratitude, Master, an oasis in the desert of life’ I bowed. ‘Live here Ma and let it grow’ He said choosing my favorite tree to sit under, ‘Let it will become the forest it once was.’ He smiled at me and my tears once again washed His feet of the vermillion I had applied to His feet.