is that the purpose of life? I mean how did it become so, why would one set out to do only those things with such dedication?'
" 'You're asking a stupid question,' he said. 'Doesn't matter why it's that way; it's that way: the purpose of life is to love and to learn.' He sighed. 'Let's imagine answering the question for others . . . why is it important to love and to learn? For a cruel, stupid man this would he a sufficient answer: "It is the safest way to live life." For a great man this would be an answer: "It is the most rewarding and illuminating way to live life." For a selfish, blind person, I could say, "It will bring you the greatest peace in the end if you remember the poor, the hungry, the oppressed, if you remember others, if you love, if you learn." ' He shrugged. 'To the oppressed themselves, the answer is, "It will alleviate your pain, your terrible pain." '
" 'I see,' I said. I smiled. I felt a great rush of pleasure. A great sweet rush of pleasure.
" 'Ah,' he said. 'You do understand.' "I started to cry again. 'Is there no simple watchword?' I asked.
" 'Such as what?'
" 'It isn't always so easy to love and to learn; one can make hideous errors, hideous mistakes, hurt others. Is there no watchword! For example ... in Hebrew the word "Altashheth"-Do Not Destroy.' I could barely speak. I was choked with tears. I began to repeat the word over and over again. I said it in one final whisper. 'Altashheth.'
"He considered, rather solemnly, and then he said, 'No. There is no simple watchword. We cannot sing "Altashheth" until and unless all the world sings the same song.'
" 'Will that ever happen, that the whole world will sing the same song?'
" 'No one knows. Not Medians, not Hebrews, not Egyptians, not Greeks, not warriors from the north countries, no one knows. Remember. I've told you all that can be known. The rest is chant and rattle and stomp and laughter. Now give me your solemn word that you will serve me and I will give you my solemn word that as long as I live you will never know pain, if it is in my power to prevent it.'
" 'I give it,' I said. 'I thank you for your patience. I think in life I was kind once.'
" 'Why do you keep crying?'
" 'Because I don't like to hate or to be angry,' I said. 'I want to learn and to love.'
" 'Good enough. You will love and you will learn. Now it's night, I'm old, I'm tired. I want to read until my eyes close, as is my habit.
I want you to sleep within the bones until I call you forth. Answer no call but mine. There will be none, most likely, but one never knows what demons are up to, what jealous evil angels may try. Answer only my voice. And then we will begin together. If you are called forth come to me, wake me up. I'm not worried about you really . . . With your power, you can get me everything I want in this world.' " 'Everything you want? But what do you want? I can't . . .' " 'It's books, mostly, son, don't get so excited,' he said. 'I have no use for wealth other than the beauty you see around me, which does indeed mean I am rich, but rich enough. I want books from all lands, to be taken to places, to caves in the north, and to the Egyptian cities in the south. You can do this. I'll tell you everything, and by the time I die, you will be strong enough to resist those masters who aren't worthy of your strength. Now go into the bones.' " 'I love you, Master,' I said.
" 'Oh, yes, yes,' he said with a wave of his hand, 'and I shall love you too, and some day you'll have to watch me die.'
" 'But do you love me ... I mean in particular . . . me ... do you love me?'
" 'Yes, angry young spirit, I love you in particular. No more questions before I send you to sleep?' " 'What question would I ask?' " 'The Canaanite tablet by which you were made. You haven't once asked me to read it to you, or to read it yourself, and obviously you can read.'
"