Legacy

Hello, I’m Doctor Christian Bonner.  This is partly my story, but its mostly the story of Kara Karoon, also a Doctor.

I met Kara in my third year of Medical School.  She was a beautiful East Indian girl, I was immediately attracted to her, and it wasn’t long until it was obvious to us both that we were very much in love.  Naturally I proposed.  I knew she loved me too, so her response totally caught me off guard.  She said “yes, eventually”.

So now my education into the facts of her life began.  She was educated in a Mission School in a very remote valley in the Himalayan foothills.  That is also where she became a Christian.

Her village was further into the valley and even more remote.  The people there were very poor and uneducated, but the land was fertile and well watered so that at least they ate well.  They however didn’t have access to regular Medical care.  Even though much of their folk medicine was effective; if a surgery was needed, they were totally out of luck.

Since Kara had some education as a result of the Mission School it was decided by her Grandfather, the headman, and with consent of her parents, to send her away to learn how to become a Doctor.  She would after getting her Medical degree assumedly return and care for her people.  Her trip, living expense  and education was  to be financed by her Grandfather and also with consent of her parents by giving her the three matched fifteen carat each flawless Rubies that had been handed down as the family treasure for generations.  So I now understood that Kara had a mission to fulfill as a matter of honor before she could consider satisfying any personal desires.

I loved her even more for that because I knew that not only was she beautiful, caring, and smart, that she was also honorable.  What more could a guy ask for.  In my case that would be patience.

Well we graduated and it was off to that remote village in India for her.  I told her I was coming also.  She asked if I knew what I was getting  into?  I replied probably not, but that didn’t worry me, and besides, two Doctors was bound to be better than one.  She couldn’t argue with that, but reminded me again of that operative word “eventually”

Being the confident fellow I am, I thought bet “eventually” won’t last long.  Boy was I wrong and I will tell you why as this story unfolds.

A bit of back flash here.  While we were studying medicine she displayed an interest in learning to read old Sanskrit.  I got interested also as it was another reason to be with her.

In perusing some of the ancient texts I came across one that referred to the forgotten singing caves of some forgotten valley.

I showed it to her and she thought it kind of described her valley.  Her Grandfather used to tell stories about strange caves.

Okay, back to where I was.  We arrived in India and after many long hours on back roads by Jeep and finally many more by pack mule we finally arrived at her village.  She was royally greeted with great joy and jubilation.  I was a big surprise.  Her Grandfather was delighted.  Like he’d just benefited from a two for one sale.  He was a delightful old gentlemen.

We unpacked the instruments and medicine’s we’d brought with us and set up shop. It wasn’t long until business was booming. Our prices were  just right.  Free.  However once in a while someone would insist on giving us some vegetables or a chicken.  We never refused because we did not wish to bruise anyone’s pride.

After a few weeks we had somewhat caught up with immediate needs and decided to take some R&R time.

We thought it would be fun to head up the valley and explore some of the old caves if we could find them.  We did and they were rather numerous, mostly standard nondescript, but fun to check out.

This became a recreational hobby for us and every week we’d try to find time to see more.

Then one week end as we went around a slight bend in the caves area, we spied one that seemed to be emanating a melodic flute like resonance of sound.  That intrigued us.  We figured the wind can play spooky tricks. We hadn’t noticed there was no wind that day.

Of course we trotted right up to the entrance and stepped in. First thing we notice there was a torch hanging at the entrance to be lit so one could see.  We thought that was considerate of someone, but we had flashlights.  Kara said “go ahead and light it and make it more romantic”.  Romantic I thought. Good idea, it will help erode that bit known as “eventually”.

Wow! And Whoa! This is definitely a different cave from the others.  We were both awed by the fact it was a very beautiful crystal cave.

As we progressed deeper into it we came to a platform.  On it was an very long capsule laying  on its side with the lid up, it was obviously made for someone to lie in, but it was obviously not a coffin. Strange I thought.  On a table next to it was a large goblet, plain and  not ornate.  Beside it was a corked flagon of some sort of liquid.

The melodic resonance grew a bit louder and Kara sort of looked like she was in a trance, as in receiving some sort of telepathic communication.  At least that’s what I assumed because I didn’t hear anything beyond the increased volume of the melodic resonance.

It was peaceful, no sense of anything evil or foreboding.  Then Kara went to the table and uncorked the flagon, poured its contents into the large goblet and brought it to me.

She said we will both drink deeply of this cup.  Normally I’d have said whoa! whats in it?  But the calm that filled the cave was such that I didn’t give it two thoughts and we both drank deeply.

Then Kara said I was told that I was the one awaited for.  I now must go to a place where I will be taught much. Many things that will not only benefit my people, but all of mankind.  She said for me to be patient, care for her people, and that she would return.

Before I could ask return from where she had stepped into the capsule and closed the lid.  The entire capsule then simply vanished.  Needless to say I was beside’s myself.  What would I tell her Grandfather?

I explained to him the best I could, and to my surprise he nodded his head as if he understood.  He then assured me that all was well.  I had my doubts about that, but he apparently didn’t.

I had to reflect on the fact that there was much I didn’t know. Like where did she go, why, and to be taught by whom or what?

I have continued to care for her people and will continue to do so until she returns. I’ve seen many generations of her people come and go. I’m now one hundred and seventy six years old.

That got your attention didn’t it?  Well it’s true. I’d cared for her people for twenty five years when one  day while looking in a calm pool of water it became obvious to me that I was showing no signs of aging.  Well that stirred my mind up quite a bit and I asked around.  To be sure it had been noticed by others also.  I was a very good care giver and while they thought my lack of aging a bit peculiar that there was no point in looking a gift horse in the mouth.  Did that mean I had a new title?  Well I hadn’t loss my sense of humor, yet.

I concluded that what ever was in that flagon in the cave that day that we each drank of must surely have something to do with it all.

Anyway, I have acquired that patience I thought I might need.  I have faith that Kara will return to me, eventually.  That word keeps getting added meaning.  When she does I’ll be the first to let you know.