The fastest route to your goal
Might not be the easiest
It's often the hardest
Should I carry this bucket ?
The great city of Spira is the place I visited next. One says it was named after a man who managed to cross over a vast territory full of supreme obstacles and rebuilt a broken city from scratch. Later on, not far from the town square, I found a big statue of King Spira; on bottom of which there lies a tablet narrating a detailed story of the legend...
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In an unknown kingdom below the sun, there lives a man, called Spira. He was born in a family with wretched financial condition, and still struggling to find any opportunities for a better life. One day, the king was informed that there exists an abandoned city in the far north. It's said to be full of gold, silver and other precious gems. However, the path is said to be dangerous; no one ever managed to cross the enormous desert that separates the two locations. The king, in need to expand his realm and find a good successor, is able to wisely utilize this occasion for that purpose. He announces a challenging race for everyone : "Whoever manages to find that city of treasure first, reserves the right to own everything in that city. He/she will be given the position as a governor of that city and is given the power to have full control of the city. The race will start one week from now. For they who possess the valor, please be prepared. I will give each of you one big empty bucket that you need to bring throughout your venture".
The big news spread quickly to every single folks, including Spira. He's definitely very motivated to accomplish the King's challenge. 'This is my lifetime chance, I can't mess it up !' is probably what's inside his mind at that moment. He knows it's not just a simple competition, but a life-or-death race. Turn back you'll lose your dignity, not doing it right you'll be in vain for sacrificing so much and got nothing.
One week passes by, everyone has stocked themselves with bags of food and supply. Before their departure, the king urges all of them to do their best and try not to look back. And with those words planted in their mind, they finally go out of the sight. The first days are somehow not too attractive for the majority of the people; it's raining day and night every single day. The bucket given to them is big and heavy, and now become heavier as it's filled with rain water. One, two and more people start throwing their buckets. They assume that the king won't know anything about that and continue their journey with seemingly easier burden and naturally, faster pace. However, Spira doesn't want to violate the rule and he keeps going with the heavier burden than everyone else.
One week later, the area transforms into a nightmare. It's not really unexpected, as it's just the normal dry climate of the desert. But the trip is like a never ending one. A lot of participants are forced to drop out the game and went back to the rainy area as they can't find any oasis and finally have no more stock of water. Spira arrives there a bit later, but it was no problem for him, really. He still has a big bucket full of water and looks steady as he never lacks something to drink. He even shares some to the people who are dehydrated in the middle of the race.
In the end, no one manages to arrive at the city of treasure as fast as Spira does. Apparently, a messenger of the king follows his journey and rewarded him as promised. Afterwards, Spira gathers the people that lives around and together rebuilt the city to be what now one of the most developed and richest city in the northern hemisphere.
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I do learn something from this story. People wants to get everything fast and good. Sometimes they do whatever they could, legal or illegal, by any means necessary, just to satisfy their needs. But only a small portion of them working with determination and honesty who will survive and turn victorious in the end of the match. When you think your burden is too heavy, please don't give up your bucket. You're not alone in this life-or-death race. At least I'm doing it Spira's way. The rest is up to you =)
With passion,
"Cis Harry"
Like the last statement: "At least I'm doing it Spira's way. The rest is up to you =)" very much =)
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