Viaduct of Beliefs
By: FAQI
There were five of them, and they all died under natural circumstances, except the Pig. None of them remembered that they had abandoned their souls. Their brains were blank, and they were perplexed about how they ended up together. All were sauntering quietly, in a queue, on a smooth and horizontal path. The path was all besieged by hundreds of clouds which were making it impossible to look through the route. None of them knew where to go? Or, what to do? Yet, they were strolling straight unknowingly. Their minds were bewildered while their once paused hearts were again thumping but madly this time. A weird sense of turmoil had taken over their every limb, due to which their hooves were tickling abnormally. Their intensified nerves were loudly brawling of their fear even though all were pretending to be calm. Nonetheless, all were silent but tensed, as it was their first excursion after their untimely and abrupt death in a transient world. They were wholly strangers to each other, but somehow, the cords of fate had tugged them together.
Horse was once subdued and acquired by a moneyed Arab man. That Arab treated him with such benevolence and tenderness, no one could imagine. Horse had a self-reliant stable of his own, where he used to dwell like a king. On Earth, he was grazed three times a day with a highly loaded and feverish meal by his fat Arab master. Once a week, he used to have intercourse with a lustrous good breed mare, which the Arab used to manage primarily for his darling Horse. In short, he was gracefully rejoicing all the luxuries of existence which an animal can ever visualize. Unfortunately, despite all those sensational luxuries of life, Horse succumbed to the flu. That Arab spent half of his fortune just for redeeming the precious life of his darling horse, but all pushed in vain. In the end, God's will overthrew the authority of wealth.
Monkey was even luckier than Horse. He used to be cherished and worshipped by the Hindus of the Great Temple. He was reckoned as the last and explicit Avatar of Lord Hanuman, and in the name of religious liturgies, he was nurtured incredibly daily. Milk, coconuts, resins, honey, mustard, and an ample diversity of food items were served to him every day when he was alive. Despite female monkeys, humans' women also offered their vaginas to him in the name of divine ritual. However, unbelievably he died after falling from the temple's upper tomb while intercourse with a female monkey. More surprisingly, folks of the area donated millions of Rupees for the surgery of the last Avatar of their Lord Hanuman. Ironically, God won again.
Poor Lamb died in a really tragic yet so innate way. He was just a pet, tamed by the Pope of St. Christopher's Church. The Pope used to feed him three times a day as his mother lost her life during the delivery of little Lamb. The Pope adopted little Lamb from his mother's owner, who was going to slay him. The owner was sure that the little Lamb would not withstand without his mother, but the Pope pursued adopting the little Lamb. However, God again showed his superiority on a poor little Lamb, and finally, he died after just three weeks. The kind-hearted Pope made his crypt in the middle of the St. Christopher's cemetery and mourned around a week on the demise of the cute little Lamb. Lamb was the youngest among all other animals, strolling on that road.
Red Cow was the only survivor left among her kind. Her progenitors were gone extinct a long time ago. She lived an entire life without her fellow beings' presence in society. She had mingled uncountable times in her life, but none of her offspring was red. During her last days, Israel was founded, and with the manifestation of an independent state where her master would lead his life independently, she lost her life because of old age. She was around 35 years old when she died, and it's very remarkable to live 35 summers for a Red cow. Even if she had lived, her master would have chopped her down and served her meat to the whole community of Jews in the exhilaration of getting an independent and ideological state for Jews.
Pig was the most unfortunate and maltreated among them. From the inception of his dismal life, he was tormented by humans. Nevertheless, he was the most robust animal among all of them as he had faced innumerable calamities that would have killed Horse, Monkey, Lamb, and Cow even before their determined time of death. The event which led to his cessation had now become a typical disaster for his congregation, but it was an absolute tearjerker for all others. He was heartlessly beaten and then tossed in front of the wild hounds by an Afghani Muslim. Poor Pig pushed to the limits to save himself from their sharp and vigorous bites, but he was alone to fight those six wild hounds. Just like humans, animals slaughtered an animal. This was how that Afghani Muslim made God gratified. He inhumanely annihilated an innocent creation of his own God, and the unfit God just smiled away. Sadly, in this discriminatory society even, Pig didn't find a just God.
All the five had been proceeding with their walk on the fluffy road encircled by numerous gray and misty clouds. After walking more than 5 miles, finally, they stepped out from that deep mist created by puffy clouds. As soon as they witnessed the outer view, they started longing; they would have never glimpsed the reality. They were exhausted, but all their drowsiness vanished within a moment. It wasn't any road on which all were roaming. Instead, it was a narrow bridge made up of several shaggy floating clouds. The bridge was translucent, yet it was strong enough to bear all of their souls' weight. The lean bridge was all captivated by millions of clouds on and beneath it. Under the bridge, the view was blurred by thick gray clouds, but one could easily guess the infinity of depth beneath the fluffy bridge.
Horse neighed loudly with panic as he saw the ominous scenery around him. He raised his front legs in the air but rapidly dropped them down as the bridge wasn't the right place to follow the instincts. It seemed they were floating on the clouds' surface rather than any bridge. Cow and Monkey also craved to scream, but their voices were captured by the terror rushing in between their veins. Cow opened her huge ugly, whimsically round mouth, but her voice got lost somewhere between her throat and tongue. Monkey could scarcely scratch his reddish head after all that sudden appearance of unimaginable atrociousness. Little Lamb was too young to comprehend anything, so he didn't react. God had stolen his life way earlier than all others. He kept ogling astonishingly on the pallid faces of his fellows. However, Pig had confronted far greater horrors throughout his life, so he remained as calm as before. Though he was a bit baffled from the advent of their voyage, he didn't understand what was happening, but he wasn't afraid of anything.
Captured and struck by an immense fear, all of them, however, again started their trek after a bit of a halt. With small and careful steps, Horse was leading the way. He was followed by Monkey, Cow, Lamb, and Pig, respectively. Cow was the most feeble among them. Her hefty abdomen was even more fattened due to the stomach gas forged inside her because of intense terror. All were muted and afraid when unexpectedly Cow farted out so loudly that for an instant, all the clouds around the bridge vanished away. An awful putrid immediately ruled all over.
"Disgusting!" Monkey broke the ice for the first time by screeching loudly. His voice echoed all around the barren cloud valley.
Cow remained quiet because of tremendous humiliation. She lowered her blubbery head and proceeded hiking carefully.
"I wish I would be back there with you. I swear, I would have kicked your fat-ass and thrown you down from this bridge as soon as you were polluting the environment." Horse accompanied Monkey in shaming Cow on her vile act. His voice was even fiercer than Monkey.
The cow was still quiet and condemning herself for that filthy deed she just did a few instants ago.
"It's nothing, fellas. All of us do this, and it's not something to be ashamed of, Dear Cow." Pig roared from the back after he caught a glimpse of Cow's embarrassment.
"How dare to call us your fellas! You are the black mark on the name of the animal community." Horse smashed Pig's hospitality violently.
There was again a complete hush for a moment. Little Lamb didn't contribute to that heated argument going on. Maybe he was smart enough, so he didn't intervene, or he considered himself too young and stupid to interrupt the elders' talk. His head was a bit more lowered than the others, and he kept on walking mutely.
"I agree, brother. I am a black mark for the animal community …"
"Just shut your awful mouth, Pig! I'm not your brother." Pig had not completed when Horse shouted in a rage.
"But you cannot deny the fact, farting is natural, and all of us fart. It's not something to be ashamed of." Pig ignored the anger of Horse and completed his sentence promptly.
" Will you please shut up!" Cow yelled this time in a heavy voice, "It is not something not to be ashamed of. That's how you have ruined the image of our honorable community."
" Exactly, what the hell this ugly Pig knows about dignity or honor. Pigs are a jinx for all other animals." Monkey taunted Pig harshly.
"But…" Pig craved to say something, but Horse neighed loudly in irritation. Pig found it more adequate to stay quiet than getting a bash from Horse on that slender bridge. No one spoke again and continued walking meaninglessly.
They had shuffled on that fluffy bridge, around another 5 miles, and now they had entered an icy locale. Chilly winds started thumping their frozen faces, and the surface beneath their feet was freezing. Their bodies were trembling because of the mixture of fear and cold, and it was getting impossible for them to continue their walk. Little Lamb was suffering most as he was too young and vulnerable to face such hardships, but God chose fate for him.
Cold had started numbing their bodies. A small layer of snow had begun arising on their downy hairs. The crackling creaks of Monkey's teeth were echoing in the deserted valley of clouds. Pig was also twitching abnormally, but he was tough enough to bear that calamity silently. Horse, who was yet dominating the way, had been slowed down as his joints had begun to stiffen by the cold. They were greatly suffering in that severe weather, and all they needed was a little warmth. However, they didn't have any other alternative but to proceed with their walk. No one was sure about what will be the outcomes of their effortless and painful walk, but still, they all had an optimistically strange ray of hope residing deep down in their hearts.
They were miserably walking with numbed bodies when all of a sudden Horse stopped. Following him, all others behind him also halted. The horse didn't utter any word which raised curiosity among all behind him. No one opened his mouth as their tongues were almost frozen by the cold. After a few moments of a complete pause, Horse again stepped forth, silently with small steps. It was Monkey who first deciphered the reason for that slight pause taken by Horse. Right after Monkey, all others also saw the cause with their frozen eyes.
It was a Dove. A pure white dove, but because of some despondencies, her brilliant white feathers were worn out. Her beak was wrecked, and her weak, fragile legs were bruised terribly. A Dove, celebrated for her beauty, was looking worse than a maggot. Blood was draining from her forehead. It seemed that she went unconscious while enjoying her flight between the snowy white clouds and had fallen from the sky.
Horse, Monkey, Cow, and little Lamb all scampered ahead from her with a stone heart, but Pig couldn't bear to see her in such sorrow. He stopped near her and noticed that Dove was still alive and breathing heavily. She needed help as she was in pain. No one among animals felt her pain, but Pig, who was familiar with the pain's meaning, decided not to leave her alone to die.
"We must help her," Pig said firmly after moving the dying Dove with her big teeth.
Horse, Cow, and Monkey at once turned back as they had moved a bit ahead from Dove. Only Pig remained behind after feeling the poor Dove's pain and sorrows.
"Right now, we need help to survive. This ugly Dove will die either way." The horse replied roughly and turned ahead. All others, including the little Lamb, followed him.
"She's in pain!" Pig almost yelled.
"We all are in pain, fool." Monkey replied.
"Trust me; you have not even seen the tiniest part of the pain. We are just suffering, not in pain."
"Will you please shut up!" Cow spoke out this time, ruthlessly.
"Just leave this idiot and move on, friends. And you stupid Pig, you are free to feel pain and mourn." Horse addressed all others, like some cruel and heartless general.
"I don't know about you all, but I will help her. I know what it's like to be ignored by society. You cannot know what pain is until you face it yourself, and for my community, the pain was selected by your so-called God." Pig said bravely and carried the dying Dove in his mouth carefully and started following the others again. As soon as the Pig hoisted her, she cooed weakly. Monkey screeched annoyingly and stared at Pig with piercing eyes. The cow also made a lowing, loudly.
"Stop being ignorant; Shiva is the greatest. He will punish you for your ignorance." Monkey cautioned Pig.
"Who the Hell is this, Shiva! Don't you know there's only one God who is Yahweh?" Cow shrieked and obstructed the false fact asserted by Monkey.
"Neither Shiva nor Yahweh, Jehovah, is the only true God. My caretaker was indeed the most pious man on Earth. Surely, his God was the true one." Little Lamb had inaugurated his mouth for the first time as his God and beliefs were in danger.
"You know nothing, Lamby. And Monkey and Cow, you both are misled. There's still time to accept Allah as the only true and greatest God before you confront him, and he punishes you for your disbelief." The horse turned back and defended his God while advising others to accept Allah's greatness too.
"I respect you, Horse, but Allah can never be God. Shiva is the only true God." Monkey denied the existence of Allah.
"Good people are sent by God. Truly, my Pope was the most gentle and pure man on earth. So, his God Jehovah is the only God who created everything." Lamb spoke again to defend his God.
"What the hell made you think that there can be any God instead of Yahweh." Cow brawled again.
Within a couple of minutes, all of them were arguing and endorsing their beliefs. Like humans of Earth, Animals also were clashing to prove that their God was authentic and notable. The pig was standing still. He was cradling the dying Dove between his hideous jaws. A strange sneering smirk was circulating all over his face, like deep down, he comprehended who was the factual God. After a few moments of constant brawling and bluffing nonsensical facts, they all stopped at once as Pig screamed. They all veered towards him with evil eyes. The dying dove was churning on the cloudy bridge, and his mouth was open wide with wonder and astonishment as he had seen something queer and peculiar.
"What's wrong, Pig?" Horse asked as he noticed his colorless stunned expressions.
"Look." He barely said while shifting his orifices.
All of them instantly twisted their skulls and saw someone standing at an expanse from them. He was shaping a silhouette, but indeed it wasn't an animal but a human. They were exceedingly startled. They couldn't believe their eyes, but deep down inside their hearts, a ray of hope started emerging again.
"Let's meet that man. Maybe he can help us." The horse quickly enacted and plodded precipitously. They all were wholly baffled and appalled. However, they all followed Horse without uttering a word.
"You'll be fine, dear," Pig said gently and lifted the swirling Dove again between his jaws.
They started heading towards the great silhouette, casting a bit far away from them on that cloudy bridge. Their steps were cramming because of the awful numbing chilliness, yet a queer hope made it easy to shift. After a few aching steps, they were finally there. Indeed, it was a human, a meticulous human.
He was a human but strangely outfitted. Short and looking very aged. The coolness was frosting the blood in capillaries, yet he had wrapped himself just with a saffron shawl, which was hanging down to his toes. The saffron shawl was in such a way on his body that his left skinny shoulder was exposed, and even his cupped dark naval was noticeable. He had scores of silver and it on and leather amulets dangling around his neck. Even his wiry arms had several vivid bands and threads wrapped tightly around them. On his legs, he was wearing a shining and velvety orange pajama. But, shockingly, he was barefoot. His feet had open rough cracks, which proved he was barefoot for decades. His feet' trials had a reddish layer of frozen blood like they had often seeped. He was a bald man, partly. At the back of his head, a long braid was lowering down to his cracked, bleeding feet. He was holding many Sanskrit manuscripts in both hands, and even some old and rare-looking scrolls were dispersed all around him on that fluffy bridge. He had a big talaika on his prominent, round forehead. His face was completely hidden under some kind of old paint and ash. His cheeks were hollowed in. He was ugly and hideous. His face was all covered in a big and thick beard which was making it hard to see his face. His eyes lingered inert and emotionless as he caught five jiggling and vulnerable creations of God. He didn't utter a single word and posed still as if their presence had not bothered him at all.
Besides that purely strange man, what they saw was shocking and bizarre for them. Four wolves were standing behind him. They were massive and gloomy black. Their fierce eyes were shouting out loud that they were hungry for quite a time. Their furious roars were the ones by which all of them were welcomed. They all got chilled down to their spines as they saw greedy wolves gawking at them with piercing eyes. Wolves had huge chains in their head. The largest one had a gold chain, smaller than that had a silver chain, a bit smaller than that had a copper chain, and the smallest one had an iron chain around his neck. All those chains were knotted at a single junction tightly attached to the pajamas of that strange man.
There was also a massive bundle of lumber blazing behind those great wolves. As they saw that warm fire and discovered that the wolves were shackled, their nerves were relieved a bit.
"Jai Shree Ram!" Monkey found that man a bit familiar and cried loudly.
"Jai Shree Ram." That strange man excitedly retorted.
His eyes turned glossy, and a massive smile swept over his face in joy. He was toothless; they all vouched as he smiled.
"I told you Shiva is the only greatest God." Monkey bragged after discovering the man's happiness.
All others resided quiet and dropped their heads with embarrassment. Pig, however, kept on peering at that man skeptically. Dove was still in his mouth, wobbling with cold and fighting for her life.
"It's pretty cold, ca..." Monkey had not completed, but even before that man interrupted.
"Sure, you can warm yourself. Follow me."
Monkey and all others were about to move when unexpectedly that man yelled, "Not you all, bastards. Only the believers of Shiva are allowed."
Monkey laughed out loud as he saw the helpless and timid faces of all others.
"There is no use of repentance now. I told you Shiva is the greatest. Now suffer disbelievers." Monkey ridiculed them all with a grin on his ghastly face.
"We will die if you don't help us, Sir." Horse said in a painful voice.
"Death is everyone's fate. One cannot outrun death. Today or tomorrow, you have to die but dying without the faith of true God is disastrous. You are unfortunate, and believe me, once you are unfortunate, no power can make your destiny fortunate. You all are infidels, and for infidels, life is death, and death is hell. Likewise, you are already in hell." He said shrewdly in a pompous manner.
Cow and little Lamb also begged him for help, but that stone-hearted man didn't move an inch from his verdict. However, Pig was calm, like he knew nothing was going to work.
"This tiny one is perishing. Can you please help her?" Pig, who was tight-lipped all the time, requested slowly.
"Is she the believer of Shiva?" The strange man asked tonelessly.
"How can you say Shiva is the only true God?" Pig interrogated loudly.
"My religion is the oldest one in the world, and his presence proves Shiva's existence and greatness." Instead of that man, Monkey responded angrily.
"I asked, 'Is she the believer of Shiva?'" The strange man inquired again, a bit loudly this time.
"I don't know, but once she is good enough to answer, you can ask her yourself." The pig replied with great respect though he didn't want to respect that nasty man.
"Then take her to me when she is good enough to talk. Now get lost!"
Monkey chuckled in amusement so loudly that it reverberated all around in that solely vacant clouds' ravine. There was a vast serenity for a juncture. All animals, including pigs, were flapping with cold. Their tired bodies were numbing, and the hearts were about to stop pumping as the blood was ready to solidify inside their iced vessels.
"Come with me." He said boldly and whirled towards the substantial fireplace.
Monkey bounced with excitement and followed the strange man. 4 giant wolves of that man were also moving aside from him. As they reached the great fire, Monkey immediately jumped near the fire, opened his skinny legs wide, and started cozying himself. They all were looking with pale eyes at Monkey, who was relishing the warmth of that tremendous fire. They were repenting for not believing in Shiva, but now it wasn't beneficial.
All others had no choice but to move ahead in search of someone more generous and helpful than that strange, prejudiced man. Pig put the Dove down and gaped at his shuddering body. She was breathing, which proved she had courage and strength as she was battling for her life.
"I cannot see you in this pain, dear. I will do anything to save you. You will be fine. Just be strong, and don't worry." Pig said in a low painful voice while glaring at her weak and eroded body. He carefully grabbed her and started following others, who were all strolling with bowed heads, hopelessly.
They had just moved a few notches ahead when all of them at once heard a mixture of roars and dreadful shrieks. They immediately turned back and witnessed a horrific view. 4 wolves were standing on the dead opened body of Monkey. His intestines were crawling out from his torn gut on the cloudy bridge while the strange man was calmly looking at those four wolves, feeding on Monkey's cold body. They all got appalled, and their hearts fluttered abnormally. In that abrupt state of horridness, they forgot all their griefs and started running as fast as possible. Either Horse had lost his strength or Cow had gained power, but Cow, who's famously known for her idleness, was equalling Horse's speed. Lamb was a bit slower, but Pig was trying to incite him continuously by making different sounds. Pig could run fast but still, he chose to remain at last, as he didn't want to leave the little Lamb behind. Dove was still in his jaws. After trotting madly for a span, they eventually held up as they all saw another human standing in their way.
They all abruptly got chilled down to their spines after confronting another human in front of them. What that strange man did to Monkey was entirely new and horrific for Horse, Cow, and Lamb. Though, for Pig, it wasn't as horrid and unique. He had seen humans doing worse things to animals and especially to his community. Witnessing and escaping such intensive tortures was a daily routine for him. That was the reason; Pig wasn't as much terrified and frightened as the others after noticing another human standing right in front of them.
They all put a swift glance on that man posing calmly in the middle of that chilled cloudy bridge. He was dressed in the same saffron shawl like that strange older man. However, his feet were appropriately wrapped in leather shoes. He also had a towering braid but tidy and smooth. He was old, but his face had a distinctive kind of freshness and divinity all over. He was tall and robust with somewhat built muscles. His head had a talaika, but his look was clean, unlike that strange man. He had a long beard which was starting from his chin. However, he was a beautiful man. His beauty was unmatchable to anyone they all had caught a glimpse of on Earth. His hands were blank and tucked behind his back. He precisely looked like some Shiva follower, but he hadn't had craving wolves along with him. He also had a fire flaming aside him, which was not as massive as that strange man had.
"Come here, warm yourself. You must be feeling cold." That man gazed at them for a second and then said softly.
"None of us is the follower of Shiva." Everyone stood quiet in chaos. But, Horse spoke on behalf of all after a while.
That man stopped while turning and ogled at their tingling bodies. An ineffable smile was lurking over his calm and handsome face. As he smiled, they all noticed a great set of polished white teeth resting in between his glossy lips.
"Your hearts are." He said gently and moved ahead to the fire.
They all were shivering poorly with cold, so they couldn't suppress themselves and ran near the fire behind that nobleman. Horse, known for his pride, was so coerced by nature that he quickly stood near the fire. Cow and Lamb also rested along with Horse. Pig, who was at last, carefully laid the dying Dove near the fire and stood beside her.
"First, warm yourself, Idiot." Horse taunted Pig, immediately after he saw him comforting Dove.
"How can I relish if someone is in distress, brother." Pig replied sadly while gently rubbing Dove's back.
"Stop calling me your brother, asshole!" The horse got offended and yelled in anger.
"You all, get yourself cozy. I have to go." The nobleman interfered in their argument and asked for a leave.
"Where are you going, sir?" Lamb asked innocently.
"My journey ends here, dear. It's time to leave you all. So, you can carry your journey on." The nobleman replied calmly.
"We know nothing about this shitty journey." Horse growled.
"Have some patience. Patience will bring reward; just wait for your fate. You will get to know everything." The nobleman replied calmly.
"But who are you, sir?" Cow inquired curiously.
"I am the Helper sent by God." The nobleman resided quietly for a while and then replied with a bit of a smile on his face.
"Which God?" Pig inquired again.
"You'll know in time. Now excuse me." The nobleman replied and turned back to the other direction.
He rolled his hand back and forth on the rough and freezing back of Pig as he appreciated him, on some of his good deeds, which no one noticed, but Pig felt. Pig curled his head and stared in nobleman's shiny virtuous eyes. The nobleman looked back, smiled softly, and stepped forward. Within a moment, the nobleman vanished in the mist, in front of their eyes. For the first time, Pig had discerned a human who was so polite and kind to him. He felt great respect for humans arising in his heart, where before that man, hate was ruling. They all kept on gaping with wide eyes and loosened jaws due to stupefaction. After the nobleman had gone, they all continued resting and calmly warming their numbed bodies which were now again turning back to natural temperature, when unexpectedly, a massive blow of wind put off the burning fire.
"Fuck!" Cow cried loudly.
Now they all had no other option but to push ahead to excavate their destination. Else, the cold winds would ice their bodies.
"Time to find the fate, dear," Pig muttered while lifting Dove again in his jaws.
The warm fire had affected Dove's severe ailment positively, as now she was feeling well and even cooing after a great rift of moments. The horse had started heading their path again, while Cow, little Lamb, and Pig followed him respectively. Once again, they had started their extraordinary journey, but now their quantity was decremented as Monkey wasn't among them.
It had just been a couple of miles that they had wrapped when they eyed that the chilled region was about to end. They saw a green land ahead of them. An immediate ray of happiness swept through their desperate dull faces. The horse almost started sprinting with enthusiasm, and following him, Cow, Lamb, and Pig with Dove in his mouth also ran as fast as they could. They had finally passed into the green zone on that bridge.
There were an incredible freshness and pleasure dispersed all around that region. Along both sides of that slender bridge, there were vast and lanky grape vines erecting a gigantic wall, hindering the horrid sight. Those vines were elevated but sterile. There was not even a single grape residing on them. However, the road beneath their hooves was still isolated under the deep misty clouds. They witnessed that the sky above their head had turned apparent and radiant, and all the fog had perished somewhere. But the blurry floor was raising their curiosity. A compact grass was sneaking up from the cloudy mist beneath their feet. However, their ragged hooves were crushing the soft, fragile grass.
The horse neighed loudly with excitement and this time lifted both his legs to the utmost degree as the sides were barricaded. The cow mooed twice, and Lamb jumped with leisure. A big ugly smile was also rushing on the Pig's face, revealing his joy. Dove again cooed in wonder, a bit louder and protracted this time.
"Thanks to Yahweh, we are safe at last." Cow said in relief.
"Shut up, Cow. Allah is the one who showed his mercy on us." Horse denied the existence of Yahweh.
"Horse! Didn't you see how Yahweh punished Monkey, who bluffed against him? Do you want the same fate?" Cow tried to scared Horse.
"Stop scaring me. I do not fear anyone except Allah, who deserves to be feared. You should also fear him." Horse expressed his beliefs firmly.
"Uncle Horse and Aunt Cow, May Jehovah bless your souls with guidance. It was Jehovah who punished that ignorant Monkey. He is the true God. Please be kind to your souls else, Jehovah will also punish you." Lamb broke the silence to preach the oneness of his God.
"Shut up!" Cow and Horse yelled simultaneously.
"Allah is the one who is true and who has the power to punish and forgive." Horse said while closing his eyes.
"Blah blah blah," Cow teased Horse.
"Will you all please seal your mouths for a while?" Pig, who was silently stepping all the time, had eventually broken out the ice.
"Followers of your Allah kill our community to make your Allah happy. So do the followers of Yahweh. And your mighty Jehovah, my foot. Jehovah's followers speculate that my community is filthy and vile. They had always seen us as an emblem of hate and ugliness. Neither of your Gods is just because, nor they exist. Monkey's fate resulted from his blind beliefs; I was smelling something fishy from the start. There is no Shiva, neither Allah nor Yahweh or Jehovah. If you all keep on believing in such ludicrous ideas, you all will soon encounter the fate of Monkey. There is only one thing I believe, that's love, but sadly, you all are deprived of that. Love is God. Only, Love is the reality of life. That's Love that forgives you or punishes you. Stop shitting the false greatness of your fictitious and made-up Gods." Pig said breathlessly and sighed after spitting all his hate against their Gods.
They all stood quiet for a duration and kept on gazing at Pig's indignant face. Everything went silent and stationary. Abruptly Dove cooed, who was put down by the Pig on that smooth road. Pig looked at her featherless body. She was alive but looking worse than a dead Dove whose body had been destroyed by maggots. Pig again lifted her in his jaws carefully.
"Let's move" Horse didn't understand what to say or how to react, so he tried to put a full stop to that vague argument, which was the first wise decision taken by him during all this mysterious journey.
After roaming continuously for more than several miles they all felt an intense hunger in their stomachs. They soon realized that they had eaten nothing for quite a long time. Their bodies were exhausted and all they needed was an enormous proportion of food to eat. There was a wet swampy grass under their feet but consuming it wasn't appropriate for either of them. Their abdomens were crumbling and the pain was getting outrageous. Horse known for his ultimate stamina was even feeling dizzy because of starvation. Cow was about to fall and the little Lamb was almost on the verge of passing out. Pig was also forcefully moving his powerless feet as weakness had taken out all his power from his body. Dove was cooing continuously in the urge that Pig would manage something to eat for her but poor Pig was helpless and depleted.
"For God's sake hook her annoying mouth, Pig." Horse yelled in anger after getting irritated by Doves continuous cooing.
"She's hungry, Horse." The pig replied briefly and slowly.
"We all are hungry but neither of us is pissing anyone else off. Look at Lamby, even he is quiet, asshole." Cow roared furiously.
"She has already seen far more terrific and painful things than us. Please don't be cruel."
"Who the hell do you think you are? A savior or some kind of protector? You are nothing, absolutely nothing. Even animals don't accept your existence, motherfucker." Horse bombarded his all anger on Pig.
Dove had, at last, ceased her cooing. Maybe she had felt the humiliation that Pig was resisting by others just because of protecting her. Pig, however, lasted quiet and kept on tugging his weak body. They all were about to faint away when they saw hope standing at an extent from them on that green cloudy bridge. Excitement rushed through their veins and they rushed near that man standing peacefully.
He was quite an aged man with a towering grey beard and mustache. On his head, he was wearing a checked sudra. His face was white but ostensibly wicked. That was a man clothed majestically. He was wearing a beautifully embroidered wool tunic. On that tunic he had a long black and white cloak lowering down to his knees. In both hands, he was carrying several ancient scrolls and manuscripts written in Hebrew. A hectic putrid was arising from his neatly dressed body.
However, the thing which horrified all of them was the wolves standing at the back of that man. There were 5 gigantic pitch-black wolves with sharp and pointy teeth. Their eyes were bloodier than those 4 wolves of that strange man while their roars were also fiercer. They were shackled with heavy and massive chains which were clamped to the cloak of that man.
"Don't be afraid. They will not harm you." The old man said in a blurry voice as he caught sight of their fear.
"How can we believe in you? We have already lost one of us because he believed in a man with wolves." Pig inquired curiously while putting down Dove.
"Yahweh is the greatest. If you believe in others you will be punished." The old man replied.
"Look what I've told you" Cow turned towards Horse and bragged, "Shalom, Sir" Cow said again after turning towards the old man.
"Shalom, dear." The old man replied.
"We are hungry, Sir." Horse explained quickly.
"May Yahweh be pleased upon all of you. Come with me if you admit the greatness of Yahweh." The old man spoke out softly.
"Indeed Yahweh is the greatest. The one true God. But none of them believes in Yahweh except me, Sir" Cow reacted instantly.
"You all are ignorants! How dare you enter my realm and ask for help. What made you think that I will help you while you humiliate my Yahweh? Get lost else my wolves will rip your bloody bodies apart." The old man screamed in wrath.
"Please help us we will die if you will not help us." Little Lamb begged deeply.
"Hearts of the disbelievers are dead already. Your fates have been decided by Yahweh. None of the disbelievers will gain any glee. You will rot in hell, get ready." The old man bluntly rejected the request of little Lamb.
"Sir, none of us is sure about this little Dove. Maybe she is a believer in Yahweh just helping her. She is in great pain. I am sure she has done nothing to offend your Yahweh." Pig pushed the swirling Dove a bit forward and narrated helplessly.
"It's not only my Yahweh! Yahweh is for all. Yahweh created everything and ignorants like you are a sickness to his deity. Get lost, don't test my patience." The old man cried out.
There was a silence. Everyone was baffled to thought, that why it is important to believe someone to be helped. Pig couldn't understand if God created everything then why God only helps those who believe in him?
"Come with me, dear. Food is waiting for you." The old man said gently while patting softly on Cow's red shiny back.
She wavered a bit in progressing as 5 tremendous wolves were distracting her vigilance. The old man realized the fact and let the wolves free from his cloak. As soon the wolves were unshackled rather than clearing the way they jumped on Cow. A loud shriek released from her mouth and echoed all around. The old man cried with shock but it was ineffective as the wolves had already torn apart the belly of Cow. Her long intestines and two kidneys jumped out from his belly as soon as the sharp pointy teeth of the wolves thrust against her tummy. Blood started streaming like a chute. Within a few restless seconds, Cow was no more alive.
Horse, little Lamb, and Pig got greatly unnerved by this dreadful view and they started trotting for their lives. All of their starvation and weakness were whacked away when it came to their lives. A minute later Pig remembered about Dove whom he had left behind. At once he drove back to the point where Cow was yet laying down dead on the misty ground under the strong claws of the 5 wolves while Dove was swirling with weakness. Pig hastily grabbed Dove and sprinted. A wolf howled loudly as he saw Pig. The terrific howl of the wolf frozen his blood inside his streaks for a moment but the next moment he focused on the safety of the tiny Dove and kept going running until he reached Horse and little Lamb who was stopped by another man standing on that misty green bridge.
He was a tall but medium-built man with a long black beard and mustache. He was an old man as wrinkles on his forehead were shouting out his age but his beard and mustache were wholly black. He was covering his head with a red kippah. His feet had brilliantly cobbled leather sandals. He was clothed in a long black cloak that was touching his knees. His hands were folded behind his back and his peaceful face was glowing.
"How can I help you?" He inquired in a soothing voice.
"We are hungry, sir. But we do not believe in Yahweh." They all answered back at the same time.
"Don't worry, your hearts do." He replied calmly with a big smile on his face and snapped.
As soon as he snapped a big stack of food appeared on that misty bridge. They couldn't believe what their eyes saw. Rather than the food, they all kept on gawking at that man's calm and glowing face.
"Are you God?" Pig asked shockingly.
"How can I? I am just a Provider sent by God." He responded in a soft voice.
"Which God?" Pig inquired again.
"You'll get to know in time. Now I have to go. My job's done" He replied gently and before anyone else could ask anything else he rubbed his hand gently on Pig's jagged back and promptly withered away in the mist. Pig kept on surmising something but Horse and Lamb commenced eating.
By now Horse had consumed most of the food provided by the Provider and Lamb had also filled his stomach. Pig dragged himself near the food and began feeding Dove. Horse glanced at him with hatred and resumed eating. After they all had finished eating, Horse stood up from his place and declared loudly:" It's time to explore more about this mysterious place, follow me." Without learning their reactions he swiveled and stepped ahead to initiate the journey. Little Lamb quickly jumped up and obeyed him. Pig picked up Dove, who was now too feeling well after eating a good amount of food, and started following both of them. Unfortunately, they were decremented by number once again, as along with Monkey, Cow also expired.
They were continuing their endless trek without comprehending what disaster was waiting for them ahead. From the start of their bizarre journey till now they had lost two of their companions on that fluffy bridge, and they knew nothing about who will be the next. Soon, they all witnessed that the grapevines hanging aside the bridge were no longer there and now they had entered into an awfully hot region. Dazzling light was making them blind and scorching heat had started burning their bodies. However, surprisingly the ground under their feet was yet misty and concealed under a thick seam of floating clouds. Hot winds were whacking on their faces like steam arising from hot boiling waters. Conditions were turning unfavorably harsh and for them, it was getting troublesome to continue this never-ending journey, further.
"Uncle Horse and Pig, I hope now you have deciphered the superiority of Jehovah. See, Cow tried to disgrace him and look at what Jehovah did with her." Little Lamb gloated about the prominence of his Pope's God.
"Oh dear Lamby, you are so naive. Cow was killed by the follower of his own God." Pig illustrated with irritation.
"Nothing can happen without the will of Jehovah. We are alive because Jehovah wished us to be alive. Else those wolves were enough for all of us. I am already a believer of Jehovah so maybe he wanted to give both of you another chance. Accept him and his greatness uncle Horse and Pig, before it's too late." Lamb made his point and warned both of them in a deep voice.
"Enough is enough. I am tired of this foolish bluffing about God. There is only one God. Allah. No one is comparable to him. He is alone and mightiest of all. No more shitting, understand?" Horse, at last, got mad and burst with outrage.
"Not Allah but Jehovah. My Pope…" Lamb had not finished even before that Horse kicked him hard in his tiny belly which muted him.
"Fuck your Pope, Fuck your God, and Fuck yourself!" Horse cried in rage and shoved him twice again.
A pig who had already put down Dove on the misty ground rushed near the wounded Lamb and wildly pushed Horse away from him. He carefully inspected the bleeding body of Lamb. He was severely wounded by Horse's heavy hooves.
"How dare you to push me, Rascal Pig!" A horse screamed in rage and dived onto him with gliding legs.
"He's just a child, Horse!" Pig dodged his attack and yelled loudly.
"Who the hell are you? You are not a savior, bastard. First Dove and now this asshole." Horse neighed garishly and thrust his body forward to attack Pig.
This time Pig didn't get a chance to dodge his ferocious attack and got a fairly arduous bang in his face. As soon as Horse's legs thumped his face, his teeth broke with a loud thud and fell on the misty ground. A big stream of blood started flowing from his mouth which forced Pig to shriek in unbearable pain. Little Lamb who was still lying on the misty ground slowly lifted himself and kept on gazing quietly.
"Now because of you, she will suffer, asshole." Horse roared and lifted the frightened Dove in his mouth.
"No please don't do that. Kill me if you want but spare that innocent soul" Pig instantly forgot all his pain and begged for Dove's life.
"To end the evil you have to nip it at its bud. No soul is innocent. Stop being ignorant, ugly Pig" Horse said and threw Dove down from the bridge.
"No!" Pig cried in shock and pain and ran madly towards the edge of the bridge but Dove was lost deep down inside the grey floating clouds.
Pig, in a fit of fury, rushed towards Horse and started hitting him madly. The horse couldn't get a chance to defend himself and received several fetal hits by Pig. Within a few minutes, all three were lying in blood on that misty bridge. The fight was over but tears from Pig's eyes were still streaming down to his rough cheeks. Death of Dove was an unbearable sorrow for him. All had lost too much of their blood and the severe heat was about to drain their life from their wounded bodies when suddenly Lamb saw someone standing right in front of them.
"Who are you, Sir?" He quickly questioned which made Pig and Horse attentive. They were groaning with pain but that mysterious man captured their attention towards himself.
He was a white and fair man with long hair. Dressed magnificently in pure black cassocks with 32 buttons while on his head he had a white cap. Around his neck, he had a big silver crucifix. However, in his right hand, he had many old Aramaic and Hebrew manuscripts with several torn and destroyed pages. In his left hand, he had a glass flask half-filled with some sort of green potion. His feet were enclosed in a beautiful pair of shoes. He was a clean-shaven old man.
The thing which numbed their brain was his 6 massive similar pitch-black wolves standing behind his back. Their heads were, however, lowered but they were unshackled. Pig, Horse, and little Lamb all started trembling with fear like they knew something bad was going to happen.
"I am here to ease your pain." He replied in a melodic voice after noticing their trembling limbs.
"We have been deceived twice by men of wolves. Their wolves killed our two partners." Pig said firmly.
"Weak people cannot influence their strong pets. My wolves are obedient to me. They will not attack any of you. Trust me." The man replied confidently.
"All praises to Christ." Lamb found that man familiar and said cheerfully. Though his whole body was aching yet he found an unexplainable glee after finding that man familiar.
"Indeed, All praises are for Jesus Christ." The man replied.
"He has hurt me a lot, Sir. My sin was to praise the greatness of Jehovah." Little Lamb complained miserably.
"Muhammadans can never understand the greatness of Yahweh. Now I am here to ease your pain. Here drink this potion. It will engulf all of your pain." The old man lowered the flask near Lamb's mouth.
"And don't worry my wolves are enough for both of them." He said in a roaring voice.
Pig and Horse, who was towing their shaky bodies near that gentleman so that they could also gulp that potion for alleviating distress, immediately ceased after hearing this. They peeked into each other's eyes, instantly stood upon their feet, and commenced running madly for their lives. They had forgotten all their bleeding scars and stresses. Two wolves began chasing them with bloodthirsty eyes while they were running as fast as their legs could boost. However, they shortly heard a loud distant shriek of the little Lamb but they didn't turn. Maybe they already understood what had happened with him.
After fleeing several miles for their lives they realized that the wolves had eventually stopped hunting them. They stopped at a point and turned back. As expected, wolves were no longer chasing them but their bodies were agonizing and every limb was throbbing due to the loss of blood. Hot weather had made it impossible to survive, however, they didn't have any other choice but to move ahead in hope of some help, and after a bit of yearning, they had seen help standing in the middle of that fluffy bridge.
He was considered the most handsome man they have seen. Even more handsome than the Helper and the Provider. He was also the youngest looking in age. He was of medium height with lanky reddish hair. He was a bit brown with a small trimmed beard and mustache. His body was covered in a single long and white cloak while his feet had leather sandals similar to the Provider. His hands were folded behind his back and he was gazing sweetly at their wounded bodies. Pig and Horse came near him with trembling legs and fell to his feet. He rubbed his right hand on both of their bleeding bodies and the next moment they were perfectly fine. Pig's broken teeth emerged again as a new and fresh one. Despite that, all their wounds perished and their pain was lost.
"Sir, we just have to tell you, we are not the follower of Jehovah," Pig told slowly with a bit of stigma.
"Your hearts are, dear." He said firmly in a soft voice.
"Are you God?" Pig inquired curiously.
"Of course not. I can never be a God. I am just a Healer sent by God." He whispered calmly.
"Can you bring back my friend Dove?" Pig asked in a hopeful voice after a pause.
"What's gone's gone." He replied calmly.
"Stop asking shitty things, Stupid." Horse thundered, "Where are we? What's all this? Are we dead?" Horse interrogated breathlessly.
"You are very near to all of your answers. Be patient." He replied tonelessly.
"Fuck the patience. What the hell is going on?" Horse blasted angrily.
He didn't speak and stood quiet with a substantial smile on his face like he inferred everything but wasn't permitted to mutter a single word.
"My job's over. I have to leave now." He announced after a big pause and turned back while wiping softly his hand on Pig's back.
Horse didn't notice this but Pig was greatly baffled because the Helper and the Provider had done this before. However, he stayed quiet, and a few moments later the Healer faded away from their eyes while they kept on staring at his back. Their number had now been reduced to two. All their companions, Monkey, Cow, Lamb, and Dove were dead and now Pig and Horse had to continue this odd journey without them if they wanted to find answers. So, after a trivial rest Horse stood up on his feet and started moving without uttering a word. Pig also joined him silently.
Hotness was kissing its limits. Winds around them had turned hotter than the Sun and this was making it tough for them to resume their journey. Sweat was dripping down from their bodies. Horse's long tail was looking like a wet mop. Pig was also bathing in his sweat. Their lips were parched and throats were scorched. A drastic thirst was turning them unconscious and senseless. Horse's big tongue was sneaking out of his mouth. However, Pig was also looking dreadfully exhausted. They had not talked since they had resumed their stint. Horse was extremely enraged with Pig. It was a disgrace for him to be punched by Pig. Pig, however, had tried to converse with Horse, twice or thrice to extricate the differences among them, but Horse had ignored.
"I think we have to end this now. I am sorry for all, Horse." Pig apologized with a dry voice.
Horse didn't bother and kept on walking slowly the pig Pig was greatly ashamed of what he did. He was cursing himself for not tolerating. However, Pig was also deeply saddened by the death of little Dove. His heart was crying over her death but the hard nature of him had forced him to not cry, though he wanted to scream in that overwhelming sorrow his heart was trapped in.
Both of them had started grunting due to a striking thirst. Their bodies had already absorbed all the stored water and now they had begun turning pale. In all that misery provoked by unbearable thirst, they saw someone coming in their direction on that misty bridge. They strived to open their eyes to their utmost domains so they can unravel whether it was an illusion or an actual man arriving at them. They had not taken much time to decipher the fact that it was an actual man, a full complete man. Behind that man, there was a big string following his steps.
As the man got nearer to them they saw a horrid view. The string following that man was wolves of different heights and ages. All of them were looking tired and exhausted. Some were massive but most of them were weak and fragile. They were around 71 which at least Horse could count. Pig eyes were yet burst with shock. However, the severity of thirst had lost Horse's senses. Even though he was afraid of those 71 slowly growling wolves, thirst had taken over his fear.
The man was neither too old nor so young. He was of moderate age. He had wrapped his body with a long white flowing kurta and black pajamas. On his head, he had taken a green turban. He had a big red beard and clean mustaches. In the middle of his forehead, he had two black marks. Massive aromas were arousing from his body. Despite all this luxurious get-up, he was exceedingly ugly. His black blistery feet inside his leather striped sandals were looking disgusting. His skin was tough like an animal though he was a human being. In his right hand he was holding an Arabic manuscript however in his left hand he had a paternoster with 72 beads and each bead of a different color. Around his left arm, he was carrying a big leather waterskin.
"Assalam o Alaikum!" The man greeted both of them as he reached near their weak bodies.
"Wa Alaikum Assalam" Pig dwelled quiet, however, Horse shortly responded.
"What can I do for you?" He asked softly.
"Water, Water…" Pig and Horse uttered at the exact time.
The man loosened the cork of his waterskin and drooped it down near Horse's mouth. With boisterous grunts, he quenched his thirst. Immediately after Horse, Pig dragged himself near the waterskin's nook but the man quickly yanked it back.
"Aab e zam zam is not for dingy infidels." The man whined in rage.
"O the man of wolves, are these wolves gonna kill me?" The horse felt something and implored in curiosity.
"Of course not. These are for the protection of the believers of Allah. Yes, disbelievers can never bypass them. Our Allah has precisely sanctioned us to massacre them." The man rationalized softly.
Pig deciphered something fishy from his expressions and hastily stood up on his feet. For a moment he eyed in his stationary eyes and ignited scampering madly in the direction where he had found the Healer as in front of him there were 71 snarling wolves, who were blocking the way. All 71 wolves began chasing him but after a few miles of running exuberantly, he was finally triumphant in losing them. His nerves were throbbing wildly and he had lost all his perseverance and endurance. He started rolling on that misty ground, as he couldn't stop anymore. Sweat was all around his body and he was near to his death when unexpectedly two hands held him up and poured water in his mouth from a niche of something. He began sucking the water from the niche, like a child. After he had quenched his thirst he lifted his head and saw the most gorgeous human he had ever seen standing in front of him. He was even more elegant than the Helper, Provider, and Healer.
That man was a medium-height man with a long wholly black beard. Though, his mustaches were trimmed. He was a moderately aged man. He had long black hair lowering from the sides of his head, however, his head had a white turban. He was clothed in a white flowing shirt and a dark black pajama. His feet were covered in beautifully cobbled sandals. In his right hand, he had a brown long stick. His face cut was exceptionally great while his face was glowing brighter than the Sun.
"I do not believe in Allah, Sir" Pig admitted as soon as he found him familiar to that previous man of wolves.
"Your heart does," He replied in a melodic and soothing voice.
"Who are you? Are you God?" Pig asked impatiently.
"I am the one sent by God. I am the Reason you and all this is here. I am the Guider." The man answered calmly.
"O nobleman, what is this all about?" Pig inquired.
"You are very near to the truth you are seeking. Be patient." The man replied.
"There is no truth I am seeking. I just want to know what is going on." Pig mumbled irritatingly.
"There is a truth deep down in your heart. You will know it soon. Now go back from where you came. Returning will not benefit you." The Guider advised him gently.
"But wolves will kill me." Pig screamed.
"They will not. Your destiny doesn't end here." The Guider assured him with a big smile on his face.
"The only thing I've learned through this disgusting journey is to never trust. Either you live or you trust. How can I trust you?" Pig inquired firmly with wide eyes.
"Trusting the deceivers is lethal but if you trust the people of God you will succeed." The Guider tried to eradicate his doubts.
"There is no God and if there is one, how can I know someone is God's man or not?" Pig inquired curiously.
"God is everywhere. Sometimes God stands beside you and you are unaware of his presence. Everything you feel is God. God is not something you can see you have to feel him. A God's man never asks you to follow God; he always shows you the way your decision is yours. Everyone else is a deceiver." The Guider answered his questions gently while smiling back.
"What will happen if I don't go back?" Pig asked with curiosity.
"Sometimes it's best to see then knowing. If you act as I say you will be rewarded. I swear to God." The Guider replied calmly.
There was complete silence for an interval. Pig kept on speculating something in his mind while the Guider kept on gazing at his altering expressions.
"Fine, I believe you. I will go back." Pig announced his verdict after a big pause.
"My job is done. I have to go now. Your answers are waiting for you." The Guider said and turned back while rubbing his hand softly on his back.
"Wait!" Pig called him loudly but he was gone in the cloudy mist. Pig speculated something in his brain for a while. Millions of questions were orbiting around his head. He jerked his head and started shifting back to the way from where he had fled.
Thoughts had encircled his sanity. However, he was proceeding with his sluggish tread on that misty bridge. As he arrived near to that point from where he had eloped for his life, his legs tingled a bit but the sight his eyes captured, baffled him. The black shiny head of Horse was lying straight on the ground while his torn headless corpse was on the other side. Horse's eyes were opened and stationary but Pig could see an enormous fear and panic flushing out from them. A strong putrid of blood was making it tough to stand but what other than Horse's dead body, Pig saw was completely phenomenal and esoteric.
There was a white Dove gliding and cooing over Horse's corpse. Her wings were fully developed and she was looking majestically beautiful but there was something very familiar about her. Pig could smell the same smell as that withered Dove had. Pig couldn't believe his eyes. Dove was surely the same Dove that had been killed by Horse in front of his eyes. But, instead of dying, she was as healthy as never before, scampering in all her glory.
"Tell me what I am seeing is not an illusion," Pig implored overwhelmingly.
"It's not, dear Pig. There are secrets no one knows except God." Dove replied cheerfully.
"Which God? Shiva? Allah? Yahweh or Jehovah?" Pig questioned.
"There are many more. Come with me." Instead of resolving his doubts, Dove ordered him to follow her.
Pig didn't have a choice but to obey Dove. He nodded his blubbery head and started following the flying Dove. While walking he saw that the mist beneath his feet had started vanishing. As the mist completely vanished Pig screamed with fear after witnessing the beneath view. There wasn't any path or road but just air. He was flying in the air all that time. He started feeling dizzy and his breaths started shaking.
"Be calm, dear Pig. There isn't anything like fear or death where you are walking right now." Dove tried to calm her down as she noticed his fear.
"But where am I?" Pig asked in a heavy frightened voice.
"You are very near to your answers. You are in a place where no dead or alive can approach." Dove retorted calmly.
Pig stayed quiet and kept on walking in the air with burst eyes due to shock. After walking a few distances he saw a massive exciting fire jumping and throbbing on the left side of the path less bridge while on the right side there was a big garden full of flowers and fruits. Almost every kind of fruit and flower was there and he could smell the elegant aroma in the air.
"Come near me," Dove said while halting at a point in the air.
"I hope you remember them?" Dove asked as the Pig reached near her.
He saw Monkey, Lamb, Cow, and Horse burning in that massive fire. Their bodies were burning in a fixed loop. As soon as their bodies got completely diminished a massive layer of air was rebuilding their bodies and again the huge fire was roasting them to their bones.
"What's going on? Are they alive?" Pig asked with a tingling voice.
"Neither of you was alive from the beginning. You all were dead. However, only you have something which none of the others had." Dove replied.
"I cannot be dead. I am here walking and talking." Pig didn't understand anything that Dove was saying.
"Look" Dove turned towards the Garden on the right and pointed with his tiny round eyes.
"Impossible! that's me." Pig cried with astonishment as he saw himself roaming and enjoying in that marvelous garden.
"You cannot even imagine what is possible. That is the real you. The "you" you think is just your soul standing here. Your body belongs to heaven. Hell is for the ignorants."
"But they all were true followers of their God. Weren't they?" Pig inquired with great curiosity.
"Fearing God can never make someone a good believer or a follower. Even slaves fear their masters. God is great but not a master. God is love, not fear. How these Imams, Rabies, Popes, and Pandits showcase God, is wrong. God is divine and loveable. Fear is for the vile thing God is not vile. God is pure and purity is for Love. A lover of God spreads love. Fear of God always fears of Love. He always spreads fear and fear ruins everything." Dove elucidated.
"Now look again" Dove again turned to the left and ordered Pig to look in a certain direction.
He saw all those wolfmen burning in that massive fire along with their wolves. Their shrieks were unbearable and dreadful. Pig's eyes were about to burst with shock and he was about to lose his mind.
"Who were they?" Pig hardly asked.
"Deceivers and their Deceits," Dove answered.
"Now look there." Dove again turned and ordered Pig to turn.
Pig saw the Helper, Provider, Healer, and Guider sitting together and laughing and cheering on that green and the elegant road of Heaven.
"And who were these noblemen?"
"God's men. Do you know why these people didn't have any wolves?" Dove questioned.
"No"
"Because a God's man scatters Love, not Fear. People attempt to spread God's message by dissipating rumors about his wrath and superiority but in reality, God is Loveable and forgiver. God never avenges anyone. Everyone elects his punishment through his acts." Dove elucidated in a profound voice.
"But who is God? I never believe in God. Why am I in heaven?" Pig raised a question.
"It's not about what you believe, it's about what you pursue. Faith is a funny thing. People waste their whole lives defending their faith but never endeavor to act upon that faith's pedagogy. Every faith gives its name to God. Now, God has abundant names but God is one. Let me tell you a secret, no one knows. Love is God. God has no shape or face. He is in love. God resides in and with Love. And, only a God's man loves and disperses love. The one who hates and spreads hate can never be a God's man. You did what others couldn't. You risked your life for me without even knowing me. This made God happy. God is like a child who can be made happy by just some little acts of kindness and humanity. For making God happy you don't need to make big sacrifices or prayers if you have a pure heart you are successful. However, if your heart is impure all your sacrifices and worshipping are of no use. God is not a trader. God resides in everyone's heart. Your body wasn't a believer but your heart was always a believer. " Dove said and stopped for a while.
"You want to know who is God?" Dove implored.
"Yes" Pig instantly responded.
There was an instant flicker and with a rumble, bright light stretched everywhere. Pig couldn't bear that extremity of light and shut his eyes. After a few moments of extensive lull, Pig opened his eyes and saw a substantial round light ball in place of Dove. Luminous than the Sun. Pig lowered his gaze as it was impossible for him to see directly on that extremely bright light.
"I am God. The only one God. I am Shiva of the Helper, Yahweh of the Provider, Jehovah of the Healer, and Allah of the Guider. You were pure while others had selfishness and pride in their hearts so you succeeded my dear. You carried God with you. First with you and then inside your heart. God is not a thing but a feeling. Either you feel him or you do not. There is no other way." God said in a loud thundered voice.
"What is this all, God? Death or afterlife?" Pig's words trembled as he asked.
"This is reality, an absolute reality," God replied and vanished in front of his eyes.
Pig was still and silent, gazing at himself enjoying the lands of the heavens. He was no longer a disbeliever.
The End