Siddartha Comes to America

There I sat in my yard as the sun slowly began to reach its peak in the sky. It was a lovely day, the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. I was just about to fall asleep when a bark from my dog caught my immediate attention. I turned to look at the disturbance and a rustling noise came from the woods. Of course I figured it was a small animal so I ignored it. However my dog persisted and then I heard the groan of a scared man. I turned to see a dirty, dark haired man in what it seemed to be robes trying to avoid my dog at the entrance of the woods.

Immediately I called off my dog and allowed the man to approach. He asked if I had any food. I gave him some and discovered the man’s name was Siddhartha. He informed me that he was a wandering holy man in search of the answer to enlightenment. He told me a story of his past riches where he was very unhappy because he was bored and unfulfilled, so he had left his father to search for the answer.

Siddhartha sat on the ground and I asked him if he was okay. “Yes, kind sir, I just wish there was a way I could find the answers”, said Siddhartha. “I think I have the way”, I replied, “But first we’ve got to clean you up.” After bathing and new clothes, I told him that with my recent inheritance of a hefty fund from some relatives I would take him to several places to possibly get in touch with him self and get a feeling for his senses. He hold heartedly agreed.

The next day we headed off in the car to a place where it was hard to miss any of the senses, New York City, New York. We arrived several hours later and Siddhartha was staring out the window like a curious dog. We pulled into a parking garage and got parking for several days, then got Siddhartha a map and a prepaid phone. I told him we need to get a hotel and then we can wander around.

After getting a room for two I brought Siddhartha to the dead center of Times Square and I asked what he wished to do. Siddhartha glanced around and immediately began walking to the large Toys-R-Us. He had noticed the large Ferris wheel in the center and was interested. He was surprisingly okay with the heights and enjoyed the view of all the toys up at the top.

I decided after going on the Ferris wheel we would go to China town to see what bargains he could get on some new stuff. He noticed several robe-like garments and was very intrigued. The man selling them perked up with a very high offer and Siddhartha, not knowing he could bargain began to pull out his money. I immediately thought to myself, there’s no way I’m letting this happen. I told the man half his offer and Siddhartha turned to me with surprise. The store owner of course disgruntled after I interjected a very high transaction said 3/4ths his original offer. I then said one quarter of his original offer. He said no of course and I dragged Siddhartha away and the store owner immediately accepted. Siddhartha was extremely pleased and for several hours, went around bargaining for clothes and interesting items.

Siddhartha and I stopped into a local restaurant later that evening. We sat down for our order and Siddhartha stared blankly at the menu and I realized that he had no clue what he was doing. So I pointed out all of the things on the menu and explained them. Siddhartha then discovered the adult beverage menu. He asked what they were and I explained it was alcohol and he had no hesitation ordering himself a beer. After our meal and Siddhartha having about 12 tall glasses, he turned to our waitress and winked at her. As she smiled Siddhartha asked, "Hey, you're kind of pretty, what's your name pretty lady?" One thing led to another and there I was paying extra for another hotel room for Siddhartha and his new friend.

The next day we headed back to Massachusetts. We arrived back to my house and I began questioning him about New York City. “Did you like Times Square?” I asked. He replied, “Yes, I had an excellent time, but I need to find a place to get in touch with myself. New York City definitely indulged all the sentences. However, it did not allow me to truly appreciate the world, just experience it.”

I thought to myself, where can I take Siddhartha to indulge his senses and get in touch with himself? Then it hit me, there’s a few beaches on the side of the river. I threw my car in reverse and we followed a road along the river and stopped of the side. Siddhartha confused at this point asked what we were doing. I told him that this was one place where he could get in touch with himself.

We began to walk down a make shift trail carved out of lots of walking over time and we came to the beach and I allowed Siddhartha to have his time and take in his surroundings. He smelled the air and sat by the water on some dry, warm sand. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. The sun was very warm, but shaded by the trees that over hang the side of the river. Even the water seemed blue compared to it's normal disturbed sediment color.

Suddenly Siddhartha grabbed my pant leg. Startled, I jumped. Siddhartha asked me to sit with him, my heart was still pounding cause he scared me so bad. However, I sat next to him. As I did he told me to relax and meditate with him. As I sat down he told me to breathe and he asked, "Have you ever listened to the water here, or the trees, or the sand? They speak to you." I nervously responded, "No, I didn't know they spoke. What do they say?" He replied, "I cannot tell you what they are saying to you. I can only speak what they have told me. You have to listen to hear what they say. Clear your mind, then listen."

As I cleared my mind it began to wander to places it obviously shouldn't have. I began thinking of how my legs were starting to feel funny from sitting on the ground. Then I began thinking about my job and my car dieing soon and other stupid things. Siddhartha said, "Do not let your mind wander other places. Let it wander here." I then began to imagine being a fish swimming down the river and then I was a tree providing shade for the beach along the river. After several mental embodiments, I stopped and then looked at Siddhartha. It was dark now and the time had just flew. I stood up and told Siddhartha we could go. He slowly looked at me and got up and we walked to my car.

We got in the car and began our ride to my house. Siddhartha looked at me and said, "Thank you friend. I truly appreciate the experience you provided. However I would not want to be a burden any more please stop and let me out." I was sad to let him go, but I obeyed his wishes. As Siddhartha stepped out of my car he turned, smiled, then bowed and disappeared into the woods.

When I got home I went and sat on my couch and stared at the ground. It took me a while to take in the past couple days. I asked myself why did I feel so compelled to help this man look for the answer. Maybe I was just looking for some answers myself. I helped him get some answers and he helped me. Now I can listen and now I can teach myself.

Summer Reading Assesment

It was a quaint afternoon in the small region of Long Island well known at the time as West Egg. A tall lanky man with a muscular stature walked down the side walk kicking stones as he went. The man's name was James Miles. He was a star running back for a local football team from Odessa, Texas. James continued down the sidewalk until he was abruptly stopped by the chest of another tall man. However on the contrary this was an educated, white, wealthy man. This man went by the name Jay Gatsby.

"I'm very sorry my good sir" said James with contempt.

"Oh no sir it was my fault, I was the one not paying attention", replied Jay. "By the way, I would be Jay Gatsby"

"James be my name"

"What brings you here James? Vacation, family, school?"

"Well I got injured playing football for the Panthers at my school, so I quit the team and now I'm just here to blow off some steam. Why do you look so glum?"

"I can't help but to be glum... A girl whom I'm madly in love with has gone off to marry a wealthy entrepreneur and I wish to be with her so"

The two continued to converse about their situations and Gatsby revealed the hidden things from his past and his reasons for obtaining his wealth. As well as James reveals his status where he's from and his feelings about the team and quitting it. The two then decide to go elsewhere and Gatsby then offers to take the boy to a local restaurant to further converse upon their issues. When they get to the restaurant James perks up and says, "Man, I wish that I didn't quit the team, cause they did so good, but I suppose they were better off without me on the team. Thar's probably why they did better."

"Well James it seems that that football team is really the only thing that town has to rely on.", said Gatsby with a chuckle.

"Yeah, pretty much. I think Daisy doesn't know you're where she is yet."

" Well I'm sure she would know after all the parties and things I have and I make my money well known."

"Parties and money ain't everything you know. Try talking to her and let her know your feelings and then let her decide for herself."

"Well then maybe you should get over yourself and even though you won't be perfect get back on the team and help them to victory", said Gatsby with a disgruntled tone. " I won't have anyone questioning who I am especially a stranger like yourself!"

James got up furiously at the comment made by the emotional Gatsby. "Yeah well I had my reasons for getting off the team and they ain't none of your business.", said James. Just then Gatsby tossed down money for both of the meals and stormed out of the restaurant mumbling something about him getting Daisy any way he chooses. Then James heard a newsbroad cast over the radio about a highschool's football team win in Odessa, TX and their epic story that he could had been part of.