The Tale of the Seeker and The Crone |
It's a rewrite of an old German fairytale called Mother Holle (sometimes spelled Hulda), found in Grimm's, I believe.
The Seeker traveled many miles to a temple high in the western mountains. There, in the Outer Court sat a Crone. The Seeker went up to the Crone, saying, "Old Mother, I have come from far to study at this temple. How may I gain entrance?"
The Crone did not look up from where she sat, but simply said, "You have three questions to ask, Seeker. If they are the correct questions, you may enter. If not, you must go elsewhere."
"I am tired and hungry, I need sleep and food," protested the Seeker.
The Crone raised her hand and cut short the Seeker's protest. "Your first question, Seeker, or leave now."
The Seeker sat down and was quiet for a while. Then the Seeker said, "Old Mother, what would be the three best questions to ask?"
"You have asked your first question, Seeker," the Old Crone nodded. "The three best questions to ask are, first, `What is our theology?', so you will know if what we believe is what you believe as well. Second, `What are your responsibilities to us and our responsibilities to you?', so you will know what sort of bargain is being made. Third, `How do I know I have been called?', so you do not spend your life in illusion. Now, Seeker, for your second question."
"Old Mother, what are the answers to these three questions?"
The Old Mother told of the beliefs of the temple. She told the Seeker the outer names of the Goddess and the God the temple was built to honor. She told of the rites and the reasons for them. As day passed into night, robed figures came into the court yard and lit fires at the four quarters to dispel the darkness. As the Moon boat crested the horizon the Crone began to answer the Seeker's second question. She told of the love of the Goddess and the truth of the God. She told of the blessings of the High Ones and all they have given to us and what they asked in return.
As dawn cleared the darkness from the sky she looked up for the first time, and looking deep into the Seeker's eyes, she said, "Seeker, only you know if you come here to run away from a world that has bettered you or because all the world is here. Now, Seeker, for your third question."
"Mother, I have heard all that you have said. I have trod many false paths in search of this temple. I am tired and hungry for all you have to offer. I fear it is too much for me to learn. But, Old Mother, may I come in and try?"
The Old Mother stood and helped the Seeker to stand, saying, "Come, Seeker, we will both go in and learn together."