Chapter 1
The Dreams
Every night after a hectic day, Adam lies in his bed staring at the ceiling. He lets his imaginations go as wild as possible, in a hopeless bid to forget the real world and its miserable facts.
Then he tries to link his new dreams with the ones of the previous night… when certain magical abilities gave him special powers to have money immediately as soon as he wishes for it… He could have any amount he wishes for, and instantly this amount can be in his pocket or hand or bag or anywhere he wants it to be.
This is his way to enjoy a comfortable sleep after having a rich dream that makes him able to solve any financial problem to any one he knows ….... or he does not know.
It breaks his heart to see the real world around him full of poverty, drugs, violence, wars and hatred.
He believes that every human being needs a range of basic necessities; food, water, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. He sees that more than 70% of the world lacks the basic economic conditions of these essentials to meet the minimum needs of a human life.
He is disturbed when he knows that in some countries more than one person in five, lives on less than $1 a day, and over 1 billion people live in extreme poverty and nearly half the world’s population live on less than $2 a day. In the more developed countries, poverty results in wandering homeless people, poor suburbs and ghettos.
When he thinks about the causes of poverty he immediately thinks of lack of education, wars, natural disasters, political corruption, and mental illness.He puts goals to eliminate poverty using the money he would get from his Special Powers, because he does not believe that the international initiatives are enough, and the many international organizations working in the humanitarian fields are not helping much to eradicate poverty. To the contrary he thinks that most governments and organizations help in enhancing poverty worldwide for many reasons.
Combating AIDS, Cancers and other diseases, and ensuring sustainable developments are among the goals he sets for himself. Enabling all people; the poor and the rich to get equal health care, and affordable health treatment are on his top target list. He is so hurt to see people dying because they can not afford to pay for their medical treatments or afford to be hospitalized, or buy their medications.
Every night he has the same dreams, same thoughts and same worries. But that night was different for Adam…
After he started his dreams he went into a deep state of worries that made him sleepless.
Suddenly came to his mind all the problems that these powers can give him… especially when he is not able to find a way to spend this money without any one questioning the sources of his wealth… and how to explain it. Where shall he deposit all this money … and how? How he will declare it? There must be a way – but how?
These new worries exhausted him and this wealth started to be a burden before it comes.
Then he started to think how he got those powers in the first place. Who gave them to him? Of-course he did not sell his soul to the devil. He did not meet the devil in the first place. He also did not find the genie of the lamp, and neither had he found Solomon ring.
But how he got the powers?
Many questions came to his mind, and these dreams started to become a pain in his neck.
He decided not to dream and refrain from wishing.
But he can not get rid of his dreams. Probably deep inside he does not want them to go away. He wants to have all this money. Not for him, but for all those people who are in critical need.
He is a good man, and he likes to give and help. He likes to see poor students complete their educations without financial obstacles. Talented poets and writers publish their works without financial difficulties. Brilliant businessmen get finances to their projects without exploitation and high risk interests. Gifted artists publicize their arts without discrimination. Orphans find good treatments. Devastated people cured from their agonies. Sick people get good medical treatments.
He wants to see good deeds instead of conspiracies, peace covers planet earth and love prevails. He likes to see every one happy and content.
He wants to overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.
He always wanders: if all religions on earth proclaim peace, love and equality, then who on earth changed all this, and why?
The Bible is based on Peace and love “Peace be with you”.
The Qur'an originated the word Islam from Peace, and declared that the true belief in God is when a person loves for others to have what he loves for himself to have.
The Ten Commandments basically are all about Love, Peace and Equality.
Buddha kept talking about Peace and Love and once said that in the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true.
This is absolutely true, it is people who create this agony and enslave themselves within it. Something must be done – he decided and closed his eyes for a deep sleep.
Adam woke up in the morning to start a different day. It was different indeed
It started with an unexpected surprise in his room waiting him to wake up.
Chapter 2
Asef in the bedroom
Adam thought he was still dreaming when he saw a strange man standing in the corner of his bedroom, smiling and staring at him as if he is expecting him to start talking or screaming.
He jumped from his bed and took a defensive position.
“Who are you and what the hell you are doing in my bedroom? How did you get in here?”
He was sure that he will engage in a fight with this stranger at any moment.
The man still smiling waved his hand in a sign of calming him down. “Good morning- I am Asef Bin Barkhia” The man said in a heavy dialect.
Adam remained in his defensive position, and with a stunned face he said: “Who? Asss what?
“ Asef Bin Barkhia” the man said again with a wider smile.
Still unable to comprehend the name “Asef what… what is this? Who are you? What do you want?”
In a very calm tone the man said: “I am Asef Bin Barkhia – best companion of King Solomon and his obedient servant. I have come from your dreams to take you through time and places in history to see and realize the meaning of wealth and power that you are dreaming of and wishing for”.
Before Adam could say anything, Asef continued: “Do not be terrified, and let go all your fears. I mean no harm for you. To the contrary, you will be safe and sound as long as I am with you and you are with me. I will be your mentor, your tutor and your friend.
I will answer all the questions you have and you will have in your mind”.
Adam calmed down a little bit “But how you know what I am dreaming of? How you entered my bed room in the first place?
“I already said that I have come from your dreams? Also know that I have the powers to command earth, influence times and dominate all creatures. I moved Sheba throne from Yemen and put it in-front of King Solomon in Jerusalem in a blink of eye. I employed demons and genies to work effortlessly for him, build his castles and temples, bring him gold and silver from bottom of earth and treasures from deepest seas. I taught him the languages of animals and birds”.
Adam and in the most naive way asked him: “and you will do the same thing with me – to me…?”
“Sure not. You are not King Solomon and no one in this whole universe can be close to what was meant for him to be. But I will take you in a trip to history where you can see in your eyes and listen with your ears, and then you tell me your wishes and I will grant you what you wish for.”
He did not fully understand: “And why all this?”
“Because human is a dreamer, but also very ambitious and above all very demanding and always in a rush. You have a noble heart and innocent dreams, and I think you better be aware of all circumstances and consequences of your dreams should they come true.
And the best way to learn is to learn from previous experiences. Throughout history there were many rich and powerful people. Each one of them made a mark; either a good or a bad mark. Some marks were devastating. Some marks were creative and helped in development and nourishment. Do you want to accompany me in this trip and look to learn first, and then you ask all your questions?”
He kept silent for a moment, and started to feel this conversation drawing all signs of worries on his face. “This is really deep ... I … I don’t know if I want to do this”
Asef interrupted “Do not be a coward. You have to decide if you want your dreams to come true or not.”
“You will make them come true?” Adam asked innocently, and then added “I am not sure I want them to come true any more – as a matter of fact I decided last night that I want to quit these dreams… Its only imaginations… no this is so scary … go to history and time .., I, I am not sure … Are you serious?” he asked in a dubious sense
“Test me” Asef challengingly said
Still in a hesitant tone he asked: “And how you ....we will do this?”
“You will not feel a thing… as if you are having a normal picnic…you will just enjoy it “ Asef confidently said “You will travel with me from times to times and from places to places without any effort. You do not have to do anything except holding my hand… After all it is your decision – I am not forcing you for anything”.
At this moment he realized that he really should decide. The man is standing in his room and he is talking crazy things. Perhaps he should agree at least to see if this is true or whether he is still dreaming. Most of all, he is also tempted.
Asef interrupted his hesitance “I know it is an immense and unbelievable surprise for you. But as I said earlier there is no harm and I recommend that you try at least to make sure that you are now not dreaming and I am a real person standing right here in your bedroom”.
“I guess you are right” he said in low voice
The without giving him another instant to re-think, Asef took Adam’s hand and said” Ok then let’s go”
Chapter 3
Trip To Ancient Egypt
In less than a moment he found himself standing in a big hall. The floor is made of white laminated marble and its high ceiling is designed with beautiful figures, colours and shapes. In the middle of the hall there is a huge cylindrical pillar, links the floor with the ceiling. The pillar has different drawings and strange inscriptions all in gold lines. At the end of the hall, a man and a woman are sitting on a big couch, both wearing unusual dresses.
“What is this place and who are these people?” Adam asked with a vague tone.
“You are now in the presence of King Amenhotep III (Amon)” Asef answered. “The great Pharaoh and the ninth king of Egypt. He is the wealthiest and the most powerful person on earth at his time. And that is his wife Taya.
I have granted you the gift to speak and understand the hieroglyphic language, so you can follow all the discussions here”
Adam opened his mouth with astonishment, and looked around again to check if all what he is observing is true and real.
He looked again at the man and woman, and then stepped back in a fearful move: “Can they see me- us?” Adam asked fearfully.
“Oh – do not be scared – no one will see or hear you” Asef calmed him down.
“Can’t you do something to take this scary feeling off me – I am so scared”. Adam seriously requested.
“This is normal – you will get along in few moments” Asef said laughingly.
“And how long exactly we will stay here?” Adam asked trying to seek an escape time.
“We will stay as long as it takes” Asef firmly said.
“His wife looks very involved with him” Adam said in a way to show interest.
“She is Taya. A great Queen and the right arm of her husband. She is also his adviser for foreign affairs. She is beloved by her people. Her decisions are final. And she is an eloquent and articulate speaker, also a talented and skilled diplomat.
Her husband built for her a special temple and constructed an artificial lake in her name in tribute to her special efforts and achievements.
“And why are we here?” Adam asked quickly as if he was not listening to a word Asef was saying. But before Asef spoke, he heard the man asking his wife. “Where is our daughter Isis?”
“Oh – They have a daughter?” Adam murmured.
“She is finishing some works to the Kingdom and will come momentarily” Taya said
“Is it true that King of Babylon wants to marry her? The King Asked
Taya: He is dreaming of being a kin to the king’s family
Amon: Of-course the king does not wish for this marriage. Did you check if the girl has any knowledge of this proposal?
Taya: No she has no idea. She does not know anything about this story. She has her own marriage plans, which will please her father and made her the Goddess of motherhood and fertility throughout all generations.
Asef started to tutor Adam about Isis “Isis is the Goddess of motherhood, magic and fertility. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the patron of nature and magic. She was the friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, the downtrodden, as well as the listener to the prayers of the wealthy, maidens, aristocrats and rulers.
She married Osiris, the God of After-life and the Underworld and conceived Horus, God of the Sky. Isis was instrumental in the resurrection of Osiris when he was murdered by Set, God of Darkness and Chaos. Her magical skills restored his body to life after she gathered the body parts that had been strewn about the earth by Set. This myth became very important in later Egyptian religious beliefs, and was an integral part in their real lives.
Isis is also known as the goddess of simplicity, protector of the dead and goddess of children from whom all beginnings arose. In later myths, the Ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile River flooded every year because of her tears of sorrow for her dead husband, Osiris. This occurrence of his death and rebirth was relived each year through rituals. Literally, her name means "she of the throne". Her original headdress was a throne. As the personification of the throne, she was an important representation of the pharaoh's power, as the pharaoh was depicted as her child, who sat on the throne she provided. There were both priests and priestesses officiating at her cult rituals throughout its entire history. Many of them were healers, and also have many other special powers, including dream interpretation and the ability to control the weather, which they did by braiding or by combing their hair. Egyptians considered knots to have magical powers. Because of this association between knots and magical power, a symbol of Isis was the tiet or tyet (meaning welfare/life), also called the Knot of Isis, Buckle of Isis, or the Blood of Isis. In many respects the tyet resembles an ankh, except that its arms point downward, and when used as such, seems to represent the idea of eternal life or resurrection.
The star Sept (Sirius) is associated with Isis. The appearance of the star signified the advent of a New Year and Isis was likewise considered the goddess of rebirth and reincarnation, and as a protector of the dead.
The Book of the Dead outlines a particular ritual that would protect the dead, enabling travel anywhere in the underworld, and most of the titles. Isis gained prominence as the mother and protector of the pharaoh”.
Adam did not comprehend much of what Asef was teaching him, and was more confused.
He could not get a link of what is going on with him and Isis or Taya or Amon. Then he heard Amon saying..
Amon: well then, send a nice refusal to king of Babylon… I leave it to your diplomacy.
Taya: I will work on it to the king's satisfaction.
Amon: Did they complete the renovations at Karnak and Oqsor temples?
Taya: Yes. They are waiting the king to go and give his blessings.
Amon: I still feel pain in my legs. I will visit the temples soon. Where is Akhnaton? Is Nefertiti still keeping him away from us?
Taya: No one dares to keep away from the king for private matters. They are on their way. They will be here soon.
Amon: your kindness and love to your son must not divert you from the fact that he is trying to do a foolish deed. He is not following the rules of his father and ancestors.
Taya: No matter how far he flies in the horizons, he is still on the king’s grounds and in his skies.
Amon: I like your eloquence and diplomacy. No wonder why my kingdom has so much peace and safety, and you are its Minister of foreign affairs
Taya: Because I work under the guidance of my king and his wisdom.
Amon: Sometimes I begin to think that all my wealth and power is nothing compared to your astuteness.
Taya: All what I know I learned it from the great Pharaoh.
Amon: It would be wise to teach Nefertiti so Akhnaton is not lost, because then this great kingdom will be lost with him. My grandmother Hatshepsut paid dearly to build this Kingdom. She connected it with strong international trade networks and established a powerful infrastructure that put strong grounds to a modern, wealthy and influential state.
Taya: I still admire her idea to import trees and plant them in Egypt land.
Amon: Yes- she was gifted. She put the basis to my grandfather Tehutmos III who spread the borders and expanded the land.
Taya: He was a brilliant military leader. But my king is greater because he managed to keep the kingdom intact and made it more prosperous, fruitful and rich without any military force and wars, but with peace, amnesty science and education. So it flourished vigorously and became the wealthiest and most modern, civilized and powerful country on earth.
Amon: This is why I fear it could be lost. Nefertiti has a strong magical influence on our son.
Taya: Nefertiti is luminous and a beauty goddess.
Amon: Exactly this is the reason I am very worried – she is also very ambitious and influential.
Taya: Akhnaton is also mature and tough.
Amon: And stubborn …. Easy to manipulate – What is the use of all this wealth and power if not preserved by the generations?
Taya: My king has built a vast modern civilization, and money is not its only foundation.
The basic foundation is science and knowledge. These can develop and last for ever.
Money can go like dust but science and knowledge prevail.
Amon: So you think- education and science preserve wealth?
Taya: My king knows better how to answer this.
Amon: Yes – I also know that our son is closer than ever to a great danger that can cease this kingdom from existence.
Taya: you made me worry my king. What is the nature of this danger?
Amon: Religion. Akhnaton is keen to introduce a new religion, and the priests will never accept this. This would be a threat to their power. The priests will never accept any alteration or change in their religious culture and practice. They will ask me as their God to interfere. This is a major challenge to our religious beliefs which our ancestors established since thousands of years. The priests will definitely not accept and they will revolt against him.
Taya: But they will listen to the king and obey him. They are devoted.
Amon: Do not forget that I am leaving this world soon. Akhnaton will inherit all this. If he insists on changing the religion, then confronting the priests is imminent.
Taya: and do you think he is preaching for a new religion?
Amon: I am quite sure of this. And have warned him several times, but in vain. My grandfather Kofo wanted this kingdom and this civilization to be built on science and knowledge and nothing else. He knew then that the only way to preserve this civilization is to enrich it with scientific programs, inventions and discoveries.
At this point, Asef turned to him and asked: do you notice any strange or distinguished things in this place?
To be continued….
Sami Cherkaoui
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