Piped to Freedom

           I lay back in my relaxing chair as I watched the flames grow higher and higher. There have been so many occasions I have sat in the chair reading one of numerous books I owned until I grew weary. I put the book down, closed my eyes, and went off into dreamland. But today will not be the case, as I have a piece of parchment on my lap and a quill ready to write to the ones I love. How should I start my letter to the ones I regard as my children?

           So many memories of good times popped up in my mind. I closed my eyes and meditated to take control of my thoughts. Then I opened my eyes and started with my writing:

             To the Ones I Love,

            It is better to write my thoughts on paper than try to voice them aloud, especially when my emotions are in play. I write with a bleeding heart because it is not a pleasant one. Please forgive me and I know one day you shall understand. I pray many of you will understand immediately of what I must do.

           As I write I thought of directing the letter to the older children because they will understand it much better than the young, and they will know this comes from my heart. They will know I do not do such a thing out of a loveless heart or lack of caring. But I figured this letter is for all and they will come to an understanding. There are ones that will understand and others that still need some maturing. I can only hope and pray. I continued with my writing.

            I have taken care of you to the best of my ability ever since I took you away from the abuse and ignorance inflicted upon you from the ones who should have shown you love. Many of you worked like slaves and even sold to others in that dreadful town to be used for arduous work or other despicable practices. As I have mentioned before, I gave the inhabitants a fair warning, but because of their greed and perverted living, they ignored the warning, so I took you away. To a faraway land to live a much better life under my guidance.

           As I write, I remember the days I played the pipes as the children danced around. This is the way life should be for the young and innocent. Not a life where innocence is taken away. Where abuse is a daily event for these young ones. Where one day they become the ones to infect the young.

I look over at the bagpipes leaning against the wall, under the window, glad I had the musical instrument blessed to me. Since I was poor at speech, the instrument took its place.

           Back to my writing.

           Please know I want the best for all of you and hope I have succeeded. I am grateful the older children could care for their younger ones. My forte is to entertain all of you with music, not parenting.

           I remember the day I lured them away from those monsters. As we approached the mountain, I thought about what I would do with these children. Before that, my primary goal was to take them away. Bring freedom to their lives. To bring a smile back to their faces. I accomplished such a feat not long after they entered the new land. A land so much brighter and one that provides if you take care of it. How much I laughed to see them dancing around with smiles and laughter. I am endowed with doing such a thing in children’s lives.

           There was only one time I returned to the polluted town in disguise. I left in disgust to hear of the lies they told of me. To hear of their lies of me being full of greed. I had requested a steep price to rid them of my friends, the rats. They offered money, but I refused. That they missed their children whom they loved dearly. I had to chuckle in disgust as I thought their way of showing love was perverted. Lies, but no surprise from these groups of people.

           I looked down at the parchment and re-read what I had written. I figured what I wrote was good so far. Now, I needed to tell them the tough part.

           You wonder why I am writing such a thing. As I have looked at all of you, I see soon you will no longer be children. And as I observe all of you, I am no longer needed here. All of you will continue to grow and prosper. One day, you shall spread your love throughout the land. You will conquer the darkness and bring back the light in this world. I know all of you will succeed. Take care my loved ones.

           I laid the quill down and looked at the fire for a period. I knew the day would eventually come when I would leave, but it seemed to have come too quickly. It will be tough to leave those beautiful smiles. To hear the laughs. But there are others out there that need help. Innocent young ones punished by the corrupt. I must use my gift to take these children to another land full of love.

           I slowly stood up, grabbed a pitcher of water, and tossed it on the fire to extinguish it. Maybe one day I will sit by the fireplace once again.

           I put on my hat, then took my pipes. I opened the door into the pitch darkness. For me there is no need for light as I walked, eventually entering the village. I walked to the middle of the homes and the largest hut where we met to celebrate. I walked up to the door and pulled out a nail near the top. I then put the parchment up against the door, pushing the nail through the paper into the door. I then turned around and looked around at all the smaller huts. Everyone is sleeping and having pleasant dreams. There is no need to have anyone guarding the area. There is no danger in this land.

           “Goodbye,” I whispered.

           Then I walked out of the village, and up and down rolling hills until I came to a mountain.

           “Time to rescue more.”

           The mountain cracks open and I entered to go to another land to find and release the innocent.