The Mahatma and the Hare: A Dream StoryHaggard, H. Rider (Henry Rider)
Science
The Mahatma and the Hare: A Dream Story
Haggard, H. Rider (Henry Rider)
Adventure stories; Fantasy fiction
Well, of this forgotten Royalty of whom little is known save what a few
inscriptions have to tell, there remains a portrait statue in the
British Museum. Sometimes I go to look at that statue and try to recall
exactly under what circumstances I caused it to be shaped, puzzling out
the story bit by bit.
Not long ago I stood thus absorbed and did not notice that the hour of
the closing of the great gallery had come. Still I stood and gazed and
dreamt till the policeman on duty, seeing and suspecting me, came up
and roughly ordered me to begone.
The man’s tone angered me. I laid my hand on the foot of the statue,
for it had just come back to me that it was a “Ka” image, a sacred
thing, any Egyptologist will know what I mean, which for ages had sat
in a chamber of my tomb. Then the Ka that clings to it eternally awoke
at my touch and knew me, or so I suppose. At least I felt myself
change. A new strength came into me; my shape, battered in this world’s
storms, put on something of its ancient dignity; my eyes grew royal. I
looked at that man as Pharaoh may have looked at one who had done him
insult. He saw the change and trembled—yes, trembled. I believe he
thought I was some imperial ghost that the shadows of evening had
caused him to mistake for man; at any rate he gasped out—
“I beg your pardon, I was obeying orders. I hope your Majesty won’t
hurt me. Now I think of it I have been told that things come out of
these old statues in the night.”
Then turning he ran, literally ran, where to I am sure I do not know,
probably to seek the fellowship of some other policeman. In due course
I followed, and, lifting the bar at the end of the hall, departed
without further question asked. Afterwards I was very glad to think
that I had done the man no injury. At the moment I knew that I could
hurt him if I would, and what is more I had the desire to do so. It
came to me, I suppose, with that breath of the past when I was so great
and absolute. Perhaps I, or that part of me then incarnate, was a
tyrant in those days, and this is why now I must be so humble. Fate is
turning my pride to its hammer and beating it out of me.
For thus in the long history of the soul it serves all our vices.
THE GREAT WHITE ROAD
Now, as I have hinted, under the teaching of Jorsen, who saved me from
degradation and self-murder, yes, and helped me with money until once
again I could earn a livelihood, I have acquired certain knowledge and
wisdom of a sort that are not common. That is, Jorsen taught me the
elements of these things; he set my feet upon the path which
thenceforward, having the sight, I have been able to follow for myself.
How I followed it does not matter, nor could I teach others if I would.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account