Parables of Samos — The Ministry Of Gods
“Shall we?” The narrator’s voice echoes in eternity.
The Foreword
Once upon a time, before the existence of time, for there was no beginning and no end, there was the All-Father. The All-Father was never born, nor will He ever die. He understood, more than anyone ever could and ever will, his undeniable, omnipotent power. More so, He understood his unconditional love. From his eternal essence, he created countless Gods, and they became his children. He created lessons so that they could learn and grow to become more like Him. From Him, they grew in power and knowledge, but although some felt unworthy of his love, others became unworthy of it.
An eternity had passed, and some of the Gods had learnt enough from the All-Father that some were tasked with creating worlds, wherein the same lessons they learned were taught and expressed. Finally, the All-Father could entrust
with the Gods his newborns and children divine, so that one day they too may grow to be worthy of creating worlds as well. This is the story of the Gods who created this Universe. The All-Father had infinite sensations, and countless expressions, but for these Gods, he entrusted only five: seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting.
The All-Father entrusted three of His children. They were Samos, Marqus and Madera. These Gods were expected to create a world where His children would learn of the beauty of sight, the delicacy of song, the elegance of scent, the warmth of touch and the delectable flavours of all the cosmos. The All-Father wanted this new world to be so worthy, that it could test the most powerful of Gods. This world would have inside some lessons so immense, that the All-Father would have no doubt to place a God by his side, should they behave in this world, and reward them well with the gift of wings, so that they may fly to Him whenever they pleased.
This is the story of The Pink Room, wherein the concepts of life were created and expressed throughout art, music, poetry, stories and boundless other expressions. Welcome to The Pink Room!
The Subject
“Gods and Goddesses, as we sit amongst this tree of life, without which we could not breathe, let alone speak, we ponder the possibility of ourselves. And like the olive leaf that falls betwixt the shallow breeze, shall we too fall betwixt the shallow heavens and unto this forsaken life. All of whom would tend to stray beneath this wretched curse of love, for sorrow breathes throughout its angst, can be deserving of its lavish tender. I say, truly are the Gods forsaken for these heavens are too vast, that even if a star could shoot so fast, still, its light would never reach itself, let alone the end. Now shall I urge this urgent meeting or do we all concur?
Can these blinding lights so blind our seeing eyes, until there is nothing to see, or would we, before our doom, accept what lies beyond? My kindred souls, our time has come to find the chosen seed, from which a tree may grow to be so giving in its fruits, and loving in its shelter. But who will stand atop this tower high with eyes that bleed, from all that they might have to see despite their woeful plead?”
Madera interjects, “Oh Samos, can you please stop expressing It through parables? Just because you found the fountain of wisdom from within, how can we drink from its endless rivers if our chalices are empty? Why are we gathered in The Pink Room? Surely it must be of some importance that your words are overflowing. Express more clearly, lest your words remain unheard.”
“Madera, to concern yourself with my expression is to concern yourself with nothing, for there is nothing that would let me express myself differently, leaving nothing to the notion of concern. We are gathered here today to decide upon a journey, for which we already know the destination. Here! My brothers and sisters, another of our kin is close abound, but they are hidden amongst a crowd of strangers. May it last an eternity, I will wait, so patiently, until their humble return.
Our All-Father has asked of me to paint a world wherein a God can believe in man, and man can reject a God. Why does our Father ask of such a vile thing? This… I do not know. Alas, it matters not the why, but the how. I will create a place where our Father can test the Gods of might, and have none prevail. I will create a place where our Father can test the Gods of intellect, and have none rebut. I will create a place where our Father can test the Gods of mischief, and have none evade. I will create a place for our Father, and he who finds a way out is worthy of his freedom, but more so the eternity that awaits. He who finds a way out will sit among us, brothers and sisters, just as we sit amongst each other.”
“How will you do such a thing, brother?” Marqus questions eagerly, “How will you create a world where man can reject a God, if only Gods remain, and man is but a simple character from the tales you tell? How can anyone reject a God so obvious? Men could not be without a God to tell their stories, nor could they live without a God to give them life, nor could they enjoy without a God who entertains. So how can you convince a God to believe in man? And what kind of man is able to reject a God?”
A smile becomes of Samos, “One may convince a God to believe in man if one convinces God that he is a man so that he mistakes his belief in himself for a belief in man. And one may convince the man to reject a God, if one hides God in the presence of nothing, so that there may be no flowers to see, no songs to hear, no roses to smell, no fruits to taste and no hearts to touch in the pursuit of God. What is there to believe in when there is nothing to find in the pursuit of God? Nothing. So man will find no reason to believe in a God, leading to the rejection of himself, wherein God is sleeping peacefully, until this man awakens to the beauty of nothingness, wherein he can find everything, and ultimately himself”.
As Madera ponders the ridiculous nature of man, Marqus remarks “It is one thing to say that God can be convinced that he is man, and another to see it through. How can such a thing be possible?” Samos looks up to the sky with a smirk across his gleaming face, “Marqus, my beloved brother, as I wave my forefinger to the purple skies, I hope you know my answer true. With our Father, what isn’t possible? This glove I wear… ’tis but a glove, but what does the hand know? Do you trust me enough to show you how a God might be… convinced? Reach for my hand, and see for yourself.”
Marqus responds, “Enlighten me. But first, I’m going to pick up my brother from the airport, then I have a meeting at work with a new client. Do you think you’ll be free around six o’clock? I’ll call you on my way b- Samos! What have you done?” Marqus is befuddled with shock, as Samos laughs maniacally. “I told you, brother, with our Father, anything is able to be. Make sure not to lose yourself on the way to the airport!”
Marqus collects himself and continues, “I understand, for a moment I believed in such a simple thing, an ‘errand’, for which the definition was already assumed. I did not even question the factions of my understanding, let alone anything I understood. You can do this freely, brother? You can convince any God to believe as if he is man? But surely, you would never do this maliciously, or our Father will do unto you what you’ve imposed a hundredfold. This life is like a mirror, for if you strike, it shall strike you back, and hide behind the shards of glass that prick if you dare to near.”
“That is why we gather, my beloved.” Samos looks at Marqus and Madera, “I cannot fulfil this promise alone. I ask of you to come with me across these eternal heavens and build upon this concept of life I am yet to create. I ask of you to let yourselves become like man, to feel pain, to find sorrow, to gain burdens and to lose yourselves. I ask of you too much, this I know, but you will be rewarded for your efforts. To this, I give my word. Will you come with me? There is much work to be done.”
The Purpose
“Samos, are you creating an entire universe for one being? Are you absolutely insane? Do you understand the repercussions of what you imply? You are creating an entire world for one individual to prove themself more worthy than countless others, but what will happen unto the rest? Have you thought this through? How merciless are you to place these vulnerable souls in a place they may never escape? How could the All-Father ever allow such a wicked thing? Do you not remember that Gods will feel every ounce of pain that is brought about in a world of their creation? This is the first rule of worlds, how could you be so reckless?”
“Madera, do you weep for the countless souls you have yet to know, or for yourself, that you understand your part in this play? If you weep for these men I am yet to bring to life, then weep no more, for they are but a simple tale that you yourself will tell. However, if you weep in vain, for you will feel the pain and sorrows of all the men whose tales you tell, then leave us be. Leave us and beseech for your forgiveness from our Father. As if the pain that you would feel is even but a slither of the suffering our Father underwent to bring you into heaven. Be merciful, not on yourself, my beloved sister, but on our Father, for he wept a legion of oceans for you, the least you can do is weep for his children.
How will we, his chosen Gods, allow unworthy blood to sit aside his throne? He hath entrusted us with orders just, so do yourself a favour and remember why you breathe. You are in Him. He is what you breathe and from his tempest, you have come to life. You have been rewarded for your self-expression, that you know no thing better than yourself. But now you must return to your selfless desires, so that you may express yourself throughout the scurry of man. Do you understand? Your silence is deafening, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Madera repents, “Oh brother, why art thou so harsh? You know very well of my brief encounter with these heavens. However, I recognise the sincerity in your relentless barrage of words that strike my ears like ignorance strikes a godless fool who knows not even himself and thinks he worthy to know a God. Whatever I must do, I am at your service, as I know you are at mine. I apologise in advance for any inconvenience my incompetence may bring about.”
Samos carries on, “Thank you dearly for your understanding. Is it clear to you, Marqus and Madera, what hath been entrusted unto us? We must create life itself, but one that seems to end. We must allow a new species of man to grow old and weary, but stay young at heart. We must create a godless world of men who worship selfish desires but despise themselves. We must hide, so cunningly, in man, that he who desires only himself, will allow us to remember our purpose. We must create a world where man is able to forget God so that we are able to remember man.
We must create a world where it is frowned upon to love one’s self, that he who goes against the entire world to express self-love is worthy of their worship. We must create a kind of man who kills for no reason and loves nothing at all. We must create a world, where man will unknowingly express our true, irrevocable nature, which is the love of the All-Father with every word spoken, that even in his remiss, man will poeticise his love for Him. We must create a world, that should a God so much as peek inside, he will forget his Godhood and believe himself to be a simple, ordinary man. All of this, so that we may find a most worthy God of the All-Father, that he finds his place at the side of our Father’s throne above.
Only then will I be satisfied with such a world that is fit to destroy a man, and from its withered ashes I may bring about the wings of an Angel. And should that Angel know its fortune, that it knows what seems to be is just a simple test, then comes the challenge true and worthy of a God to prove their seed. What better way to part the devils from the Gods than to place a God in hell, and see he serves his total sentence with no wrath to spare. This is the kind of God who earns his place in heaven, one who always walks as if he’s already deserving.”
Marqus interrupts, “Brother, what scares me dearly is not the pain I know you will endure from such a world of trial. What scares me, truly, is that while you stand and tell us of your heavy gifts to Father, you know very well the infinite pain you have yet to inflict upon yourself, and you are not so much as flinching at the idea of unbearable torture. Why are you so tranquil in this storm of agony? Why do you not fear the suffering that you are capable of? Why do you expect us to join you on this God crusade?”
A chuckle comes from Samos, “I expect you to follow me into the depths of Hell to find yourselves. Our Father lost himself some countless times before he set you free from the musty cuffs of hell, do you dare not do the same for him? Lest your love is elsewhere, Brother, then show me where you have hidden its forgiving essence, so that you may use its mercy upon yourself before you look our Father in his eye once more. I know how little I know of the pain I am yet to know. And still, the most unbearable gash is not as striking as your words, should our Father care to listen to your dim concerns. Shall I move on, or will objections follow?”
The Punishment
Madera sighs, “Oh Samos, you speak of torture, but have you ever known it? You speak of pain, but have you ever felt it? You speak of Hell, but have you been unfortunate enough that you have seen it? Whence will you find the will to carry on this heavy burden? Whence will you find the knowledge a godless fool would need to know, before remembering himself as God? Whence will you find the forgiveness a godless fool would need to pardon your shameful experiment? Whence will you find the words to convince our Father of your proposition?”
Samos rebuts, “Shall I expect concern with every word you speak, or will you spare me the semantics of your sorrows? I know very well that I am no proponent of destruction, but would the gates of Hell be so enticing if they turned away their curious guests? Unfortunately, our Father is not so careless that He would allow me to plunge myself into the depths of Hell without a purpose, so I must implore you, dearly beloved.
Although our Father hath bestowed upon me an immeasurable duty, the only magic I have earned is the creation of belief, and nothing else. I cannot use such a power to force a march into the land of the forsaken. Thus, the only path to the gates of Hell must be paved with a hellish will. Alas, I am not deserving of the evil trenches of Hell, for I am too inside of love, and too weighed down by its boundless clarity. Therefore, Unto one of you, I must do evil, so the Angels of Hell can carry me down to their grimly lords.
Though these words upset my tongue, I speak with good intent. You must remember how deserving one must be of Hell, for he who enters has the power to escape, but chooses to remain. For Hell is not a baron land where demons go to perish, but rather it convinces all its lowly guests to look for themselves. But how evil is our Father, that He hid their perfect nature in the realm of nothing. For nothing they can do will help them find themselves. Nothing they can say will help them hear themselves. But how can a devilish mind that overflows with greed, so much as do or say this nothingness, let alone find it? How terrifying that must sound to those who dwell beneath, for they will never find themselves, let alone a way out!
Who then shall it be, that takes from me the burden of decision? Upon whom shall I bestow this ridiculous evil, that from its malice I may be escorted to the gates of hell? Be it you, Madera, and I will whisk away your golden hair. No longer will you from its roots direct the gleams of starlight. Well… only will you seem unable till you waken from your telling slumber, beneath the guise of mortal belief! Perhaps yourself, my quiet Marqus? For I will hide away the Stick of Slapstick, and forever will you be beneath my spell, that you remain forsaken in the land of jokes! Lest the Jester King himself return what he hath once bestowed upon your sheath, a punchline you will never find again!”
Marqus exclaims, “Samos, enough! You are going mad! How do you expect our Father to forgive your sins if you yourself await the Angels, that they bring your wickedness into judgement, and you to the gates of Hell?” Samos laughs, “Oh brother, the last thing I expect from our Father is forgiveness. Of us, I know best that he is overflowing with eternal love for his children, but trust me that his love is laced with discipline! Besides, the All-Father is well aware of my intentions of entering the depths of Hell, but I required jurisdiction throughout my sentence. In return for such control in a place where the order is chaotic, I gave my word to bring Madera and yourself, for none other than familial support! Do you concur? If so, I will take your Stick of Slapstick and purge its comedic protection, whose blessings were forged by the jolly Jester King himself.”
Marqus weeps, “You dare take from me the blessings of his Jolliness? Better than anyone, you know the pain I underwent to become of worth enough for him to place me on his knighting stool and bless me, eternally, with his jokes and jests! Brother, you mustn’t stoop so low, that you find yourself at the lowest point of Hell.” Samos pardons, “Your aversion to my plea is all I need, to know I am unworthy of your forgiveness, should I confiscate your jolly blade. Thus, let us be consigned to the gates of Hell, where we shall learn the beauty of its suffering!
So I say to you, my beloved Marqus, forgive me… but in due time, for I must become worthy of Hell, so your immediate forgiveness would deem my efforts redundant. My sincerest condolences, brother.” Marqus tries to intervene, “Samos! Brother! Have mercy on- hold on… do you hear it? Madera? Samos? Do you hear the voice of our Father? Never before have I heard such a soothing tone. He… He asks that I destroy the Stick of Slapstick, forged by the jolly Jester King himself, but why? This… I will do, and ask no further questions. How could I refuse my Father’s wishes, after all he has done.”
Marqus destroys the Stick of Slapstick, “It is done! Are you proud of me, Father? Father? Where art thou? Can you hear me? Madera, can you hear Him? Samos? Father? Father, where art thou- Samos! How dare you! How dare you convince me of such blasphemy, that you masked your evil with the guise of our Father! He will never forgive you!” Samos resumes, “Brother, the forgiveness of our Father is not the cure to my concern, but yours. Our Father knows of my mischief, but he lay calmly on his throne, as he calls upon our quarters the Angels of Hell. Let us begin our journey, into the depths of Hell! I apologise for such a sudden proposition, but you are well aware of the importance of my duties.”
The Reward
The All-Father had appointed His wisest Gods to be protectors of the Heavens, and He called them Angels. Stevios was an Angel of Deliverance, for he had seen enough torment and affliction to be worthy of Hell, yet he remained in servitude to the All-Father, enough to be rewarded with his wings. And with his wings, he delivered those who were deserving of Hell, and freely entered its fiery depths without inflicting upon himself its wicked scent, for he had known much worse before. Samos knew this well, for Stevios was his teacher long ago. Samos also knew that no Angel would be able to take him to the depths of Hell, so the All-Father would send no other than Stevios so that Samos had no choice but to listen.
Suddenly, Stevios appeared, “Samos, you blithering fool. There lay outstanding punishment that you inflicted upon your brother. Why art thou so filled with mischief?” Samos laughs, “It is good to see you too, oh noble friend! How have you been?” Stevios continues, “I have been, and that much is true. You do not seem the slightest concerned with your sentence, so might I ask the purpose of this calling? Why has our Father, whose love we are unworthy of, called upon my wings to bring you down to the gates of Hell? He knows very well of your apologetic nature, so what hast thou done to deserve such painful discipline?”
Marqus interrupts, “This fool cast his evil curse of belief and had me destroy my blade of jests! It is unforgivable, and he insufferable.” Stevios scoffs, “You are to blame as well, for his beliefs could only poison a believer. He who is not a victim to the menace of doubt, wherein belief is able to take control, will be immune to such foolish trickery. So then, what do you not know well enough of yourself, that you need belief to harness its possession? Be that as it may, I was given faithful orders to take you all with me, for all of you stood by this miscreant who played the devil’s flute, and heard so clearly the melody of evil.
I am sure you are satisfied with this authoritative conclusion, Samos? You always did seek to suffer, albeit on your own terms. I hope this journey proves some difference so that you learn the blessings our Father has bestowed upon you, that you inhabit his most perfect heavens as if you sought deliverance to Hell? You are mad, but I am sure that there is a reason for your madness.” Samos responds, “Do not worry, oh wise one, for you will know of my genius shortly! Let us not delay our journey any longer, take us to the Angelport, for I have yet to see its beauty in all its glory!”
Stevios remarks, “Do not forget that you are not a visitor, but a prisoner! That is until you find your way out of Hell, which shouldn’t take you long. You were my student after all.” Samos concludes, “A prisoner of a God who finds beauty in captivity, is most worthy of eternal freedom!” Stevios, Marqus and Madera roll their eyes in exasperation, as Samos silently praises his poetic ability and prophetic potential. What a tosser.
Stevios snaps his fingers and a chariot appears, with shackles of gold and wheels of ruby. The three children make their way inside, as Stevios pilots the pegasus’ to the Angelport. Inside the chariot, Madera begins, “Samos, are you ever telling us the tale of your wings and why you lost them?” After some moments of silence, Samos returns, “Oh
Madera, it seems we both desire to remember. I wish I knew, but unfortunately, our Father hath taken them from me, for reasons he has made me forget.
I imagine that He has taken the memories of my misconduct so that I have no reason to harm myself, should I remember the evil I had done unto Him. This, I understand dearly, for it is true that I could not bear to know of what I am capable, so much that our Father taketh my beloved wings. However, I must make Him proud, and create a world wherein his lessons are so fruitful and his punishments are so merciful. Only then, when He is pleased, will I be so deserving of the wings I once possessed. Thus, I will walk, until I am burdened by nothing, so much that I am weightless like Him. Until the day that I can float, and with my wings, of which I shall become deserving, I will fly to Him, and be so repentant of my sins, that I am yet to remember, for the pain of knowing my wrongdoings could so much as end me if only these heavens knew of death.”
“Death?” Madera asks, “Yes, death.” Samos replies, “It is the concept upon which the world of my creation shall rely. Unfortunately, I cannot yet explain it well, so I shall wait until we dwell in Hell, for it will be so painful that you wish yourself would come to end, for the burden of being becomes so painful, that you would prefer to be no more… and that is death. That is the pain I want for the world of my creation, and that is why I long to learn the lessons taught in Hell. I hope that our Father is so pleased with us, that he give back my wings, and give you yours, my beloved Marqus and Madera, so that we may fly to him whenever we please, and tell him of our fine adventures.”
