Chapter 1. Along the Way
Walking rapidly, The Young One demanded, “Do they still follow?”
“Pardon me?” The Old One brought his attention back from the surrounding environs.
The Young One and The Old One had walked many miles. The Young One was so intent on this Journey to Somewhere that he had said little either before the journey or in its progress. All The Old One had heard of it was when The Young One knocked on his door and said, “Come travel with me.”
The Old One cared much for The Young One, and saw much potential and future for him. Thus it was that he left straightway with no question. These two; unlikely pair that they were; had spent many hours and many days together. Many a long journey had they traveled in each other’s company. Oft had they engaged each other in leisure – The Young One ever working at it, The Old One ever relaxing at it.
“Do they still follow?” repeated The Young One.
“Who? Are who still where?”
“The Company Of Wayfarers following: Do they still follow?” The Young One’s tone was both demanding and impatient.
Turning, The Old One peered back. In the distance he saw The Company of Hurried Travelers, following on the same road.
“Yes, they still follow.”
He had noticed That Entourage in the distance when he opened his door to The Young One’s knock, and a few times along the way. He had determined to question them if ever they came alongside. Ever interested in others, particularly intrigued was The Old One in their journeys. Even more was he ever curious regarding the confluence of paths which unrelated companies might travel.
Through the practiced experience of his years, The Old One knew such confluence was seldom accidental. There are truly few coincidents. He had long ago learned that almost inextricably the unrelated is indeed related.
“Wherein,” he mused aloud, “lies the true confluence of the path of Yon Entourage and ours?”
The Young One, so busily absorbed in his journey, barely responded. Perhaps he managed a grunt as The Old One turned again to gaze back.
“I believe they close the gap. Perhaps we shall journey together.”
Again, with little discernible response from The Young One, The Old One resumed his study of the environment along the way.
The Way they traveled that day was a varied one. The Path was smooth, and rough – and level, and pitched. It was straight, and it would curve thither and yon. It would ascend the heights, to descend into the depths beyond. The way was arid, and it passed by gentle streams.
Always, The Young One strove forth to the next obstacle. Always The Old One reveled in the present challenge, then strode calmly forth to the new.
Again and again, The Old One turned as if to span the distance to The Company behind. When the way was easy, their stamina waxed bold, and they would close the gap. At this The Young One seemed impatient. As the way waxed hard, The Distant Company would wane in perseverance; and The Young One would be the more impatient. Seldom did he turn to look back, but when he did it was in disdain.
The Old One mused at his Young Friend’s responses, thinking, “Does His attitude regard the confluence of paths this day, or is there more; much more?”
Indeed, what would be at The Journey’s End? For what purpose had The Young One summoned him forth from his abode. The Old One knew not The Young One’s ways upon This Journey. He knew only he was with His Friend, and old as he was, he still enjoyed an adventure. He had taught The Young One many lessons of patience. Surely, he could now wait a while to learn This Journey’s purpose.
At length, This Unlikely Pair paused for respite. Now given opportunity, The Old One prevailed upon The Young One to tell of his response to The Travelers following.
“They impinge upon my success!” The Young One spat his response.
“They impinge upon your success? But how? They are there behind, and we here in the lead.”
“Precisely! They are to be with me!”
“They . . . are to be . . . with you?” The Old One was obviously puzzled. “How . . . ? Why . . . ?”
The Young One’s reply was most emphatic.
“It is mine to lead. It is theirs to follow. That is why I go before them.”
“But My Young Friend,” The Old One responded in surprise, “do you not know – have I not taught you? Leadership fares not before the follower. It travels alongside.”
The Young One erupted, “They should be alongside! Precisely in that centers my vexation with them!”
“Your vexation with them . . .?”
The Old One’s question was more an echo.
“Yes! If they were of worth as followers, then they should be alongside this moment. They should not lag so.”
“Your notion of leadership seems quite self-indulgent. Please acquaint me with your thoughts on Leadership - and Followership.”
“I know only what I am told to do, but I can tell you this. Those guided forth must keep the pace; else They pose no following at all. How shall any Leader affect the way and the will of those who lag so?” The Young One snorted. “Search high. Search low. Search thither and yon. To find one with requisite vigor for The Following, is a task well nigh impossible.”
“You speak with high disdain for those with whom you share your fate. Have you no accountability to those following? Have you no greater tie to That Company of Wayfarers, as you call them?”
The Young One bristled that The Old One should suggest he might be more attentive to That Company of Wayfarers. His manner of speech was arrogant and angry.
“If I am able to attain to success, then so are They able. I fare before them in demonstration of what to do – and how. Is it to my account if they falter in the learning?
“ ... That Company of Wayfarers! Aye! In that lies the matter! Scant more are they than a Company of Wayfarers! They require leading by the hand. Would not a nursemaid do them well? Let them not look thus to me! Perhaps among the dainty they may yet find such a one. As for me, I shall continue in my duties whether or not they continue in theirs.”
With that The Young One arose to continue forth, but The Old One moved not. He had resolved to remain for The Followers to close the distance. He would continue in their company. Perhaps he could influence His Young Friend so to remain as well.
“Shall it be thus, then?” asked The Young One.
“Only if you continue to fare ahead of those you lead - otherwise, for the remainder of This Journey, I too shall lag behind.”
With The Old One firm in his resolve, away The Young One paced, leaving His Friend silently awaiting The Followers.
