Tired and listless
after a life of considerable travel and adventure
the once intrepid explorer considered his position on his couch.
The king
aware that the future lay in exploration
and the manifestation of
new ideas
summoned him to a meeting.
"Your final command", he said
after thanking him for
his valuable contribution to the court,
"is to journey to the lands of your unconscious
and bring forth newness from our ancestral court,
but take care,
and take with you a thread by which you can be called back
to us in safety."
The seeker considered his position
sought to journey inward
brought forth to the court a precious box
of great beauty
hinged and made of mahogany
or perhaps jelutong lined with satinwood or velvet
inlaid with intricate marquetry
designs, perhaps resembling the elements
or astronomical symbols.
Upon opening the box
fifteen compartments were revealed
each containing precious stones
in their rough form
or oysters in a state of irritation
or the makings of elaborate machines
or scrolls of instruction or enchantment....