JOURNEY OF A NINJA, Sandra Hemmes
The young Ninja was practicing to strike down, to kill, to destroy. He was proud of all
his forces, for he was the strongest Ninja of all the land. All other Ninjas, of which there were
thousands in number learned quickly that this Ninja was far better than all the rest.
The father of the most powerful Ninja son knew that there was one more journey his son must take, being eighteen years old. Father made the plans to visit a most famous family on the other side of the mountains, past the huge river. Arrangements were made unknown to the son until father sent a message to come and meet with him to learn of a journey he must make.
The son heard of his father’s message to come home to discuss a journey. Ninja wondered why he must take any journey at all. He asked father “what is this journey you speak of, and why do I have to do this? Do you want me to kill off all the sons of the land, or do you want me to destroy their city, to take whatever it is that you wish? The father had a little smile tucked in secretly behind his face. He said “No, my Ninja that is not the journey.” Ninja was curious and angry about having to do some dumb journey with his father, when he would rather be fighting and killing.
Father could see the angered face of Ninja and said “you will meet a powerful family that you will respect. When there, you will be introduced to the person taking you on this journey.” Ninja just wanted to argue but saw that he must obey his father’s demand. He could not dishonor his father’s name.
“The city over the mountains and past a river will be a two day ride,” father said. So they packed up, Ninja with his swords and armor, father with a few pieces of fish to eat for the next morning. Ninja was not satisfied as they rode their horses through the valleys and the mountains. He thought ‘this is not what a famous Ninja like me should be doing. I don’t like this at all,” he said to himself, not being able to verbalize his thoughts.
When father and Ninja reached the city many honors were shown to them. They were welcomed with much food and drink, awaiting the introduction of who was to take him on this journey. They were introduced to the famous powerful family and exchanged respect and friendship of the past. It was finally time to meet the person to take Ninja on this curious journey. A door was heard opening at the far end of the main palace. One respected family member walked through the door with a young woman at his side. The sight of this woman set Ninja’s blood to boil. What is a woman doing here? He thought. Ninja wanted to blow up and go to kill someone. But he had to wait to see what was to be played out. He could not disrespect his father. Trying to be logical, Ninja wondered ” is this man the one that will take me on the journey, for surely, women know nothing of journeys.”
The families sat together with Ninja. In all the proper ways of royalty, the family introduced ‘the woman’ as the most powerful woman in the land. Honor was shown to her as they led her to Ninja. That was about as much as Ninja could take. He puffed his chest, and asked to speak with her in another place, preferably outside, so he could run off. The wise families knew of Ninja and that he would not handle this situation well. “The journey must take place,” they all assured Ninja and all you have to do is listen.” O.K. Ninja nodded his head, in thinking “I will listen but I can fight if needed.” He whispered to his father “I will never listen to a woman. And obviously this one has no powers to teach me anything.”
The woman was waiting outside in a beautiful garden filled with many trees and flowers. There was a path he could see out in front of the garden. Ninja approached the woman, filled with indignation, saying “I can buy many women that I want and get rid of them when I want.” What do they expect that I can learn from you, a powerless woman he asked. The woman simply stood up and said “would you walk this way with me through that path, pointing to the path leading out of the garden.” She spoke gently with no attitudes or indignation, Already Ninja’s brains were going into his attack mode. “I will not listen to a stupid woman and one with no powers!”
The woman ignored Ninja’s anger. She began a turn to the path that was to be used for the journey. She slowly walked, staying calm to help Ninja to calm down. Ninja asked “I have to walk with you but it is not my choice to be here, so therefore I won’t listen he said defiantly. They both moved forward on the path leading to an open area passing the river. “So, what do you think you can teach me? Ninja said, still filled with his arrogance. Nothing was said until they came up to a large Oak tree and the acorn on the ground. The woman said “What do you see? Ninja said, what a stupid question. It is just an Oak tree that I can chop down and destroy. Woman you know nothing! The woman ignored his attitude and asked – step up to the tree and put your open palm on it. Ninja just looked at her like she was crazy. “This is all you want me to do? This is the journey, answering dumb question and feeling trees? The woman said “put your hands on the tree and listen once more. Then tell me what you hear.” Ninja was tired of the dumb game, but did it. He put down all his weapons and his pack. He did as she asked. Listen and tell me what you hear.” Again she said it. Ninja said “I feel the mighty Oak tree saying it is a very strong tree, but I could kill it.” O.K, she said, one more time tell me what you hear.” I hear that the tree is a living tree with lots of energy. Is that it? Ninja asked. The woman said good, now pick up the acorn.” Ninja picked up the acorn and knew he had to listen. He heard a tiny word that said “I can be a mighty Oak.” Ninja said this could grow to be a big tree or food for the squirrels.” The woman wanted to chuckle but could not release a sound or even a hint of a smile. Ninja was getting there. The woman said ‘that is good. Now we will walk along the path and slowly take in the fresh air and relax.
They walked to the river finding a place where they could bend down and touch the water. The woman said “Ninja, put your hands in the water, and listen.” Ninja was O.K. with this by now and did what she asked. He liked the feeling of the cool water and listened. He realized he heard the water had energies, and he heard laughing sounds. He said “the waters have energies of life, and I hear laughing. It is happy water! O.K. what else, the woman said. Ninja said that the water is a living thing. Is that the right answer? The woman smiled and said right, you are doing well.” Ninja wasn’t so quick to give his nasty answers. The woman took a breath and thought “his anger is not so bad now.”
They walked for awhile now, just relaxing. The woman wanted him relaxed because the hardest part of the journey was next.
Now the woman slowed down and asked Ninja again “what have you learned so far by listening? He knew right away that the Oak tree has power and is a living thing, the acorn has said it could be a big tree and food for the animals so that is life, and the river waters have life and is a happy place.” The woman saw that Ninja was learning fast. This made the next step easier.
Ninja actually smiled a little so she said “You have listened very well. Now I want you to put your hand over your heart and listen.” O.K he said, that’s easy.” He listened and his heart was beating, telling him the obvious, he’s alive. He said that to the woman. The woman said ‘now listen while I put my hand on your face.” Ninja was really confused over this but did listen as she gently touched his face. Ninja’s heart started beating faster, now what, he thought. She took her hand away and gave him a moment before asking the question. Ninja said “I heard my heart beating faster and my head is confused. I am not doing so well on this one.” The woman said O.K, now I will kiss you so just stand tall.” She came close to him and cupping her hands around his face, gave a gentle soft kiss. “Listen, what do you hear.” Ninja was getting hot and flushed and filling with energy from somewhere he had never experienced. He said “I feel very strong.” She said “one more time I will kiss you and you listen.” She came closer this time kissing a little bit longer, and her hand lightly touching his hair. Now Ninja was getting hugely confused but still feeling a great power coming into him.
The woman said “would you like me to give you another kiss? At this point how could the answer be anything but “yes.” This time the kiss was complete, her arms went around Ninja’s neck, his hands came around her waist and they locked in passion Ninja never knew. When they parted she had to ask once more, did you listen and what did you hear? Ninja was hot, his mind was confused. He did know he wanted to kiss again and not stop. With his flushed face he said “your kiss makes me feel like I am king of the world. I hear that your kiss did that. You have the power in you to make me feel this way. Without your kiss, I am just angry. I realize you are the power to move me. I feel stronger than the Oak tree, the acorn and the river waters. You gave me this power.
Ninja’s weapons and pack were forgotten under the Oak tree.
A few months later, wedding plans were heard across the land. A wedding and bedding is taking place. Ninja became a man, and his wife is the High Priestess. His learning will continue.
1837 Words. copyright 2011.