Work Text:
Who among us remembers the story of Elkha?
Elkha was a faithful woman of the Prophets, from the day she first set foot in a temple as a child.
On the day marking the thirtieth year since her birth, a great rejoicing went out from her village: the yield from the harvest was fivefold last year’s! With such a harvest, the village would prosper by selling food in the great city, saving food for next winter, and of course by eating heartily.
Now, Elkha had a sister, who was called Iku. Iku was a woman of doubt, from the day she first set foot in a temple as a child.
And so Iku asked Elkha, “Where are your great Prophets today? Why do they not join us in celebration? For today all those work have come in from the fields, all family and relations have returned to the village, and all who love this village are rejoicing. Do your Prophets not work? Are they unfamiliar? Do they not love our village?”
But Elkha said nothing, and faithfully held the Prophets in her heart.
On the day marking the sixtieth year since her birth, a great flood beset the village: the waters crested higher than ever before, demolishing houses and destroying crops. Many villagers drowned, including seven of Iku’s and Elkha’s grandchildren.
And so Iku asked Elkha, “Where are your great Prophets today? Why do they not join us in our mourning? For today fathers are weeping, mothers are cremating, and all who love this village are cursing Evil. Do your Prophets not weep? Do they not care for the dead? Do they not love our village?”
But Elkha said nothing, and faithfully held the Prophets in her heart.
On the day marking the ninetieth year since her birth, Elkha reclined with Iku on their last beds, as they approached death together as sisters.
And still, Iku asked: “Where are your great Prophets today? On this, the day of your death, will they not reward your faithfulness? You have loved them during celebration, you have loved them during sorrow, and all who love you have made a pilgrimage to see you on your last bed. Do your Prophets not love you?”
Elkha answered. “The Prophets were with me in times of celebration, and they were with me in times of sorrow, and they are with me now as I lie on my last bed.”
But Iku disagreed. “Never once did I see the Prophets, not in celebration nor sorrow, and not now.”
In her dying moments, Elkha said, “Our gods are not of this world, and therefore must be created into our world. Our faith creates the Prophets, who accompany us in celebration and in sorrow. Among a fortunate few of us, some may create the Prophets in such measure as to extend beyond their own hearts into the sight of others.
“But for me, it has been enough that, in my own heart, the Prophets have held me, guided me, and walked with me.”
And Elkha fell peacefully into eternal sleep in the company of her beloved Prophets.
Iku considered her sister’s dying words, and began to pray. “O Prophets, we seek you and love you. Hold us, guide us, walk with us.”
And in her last moments, her heart opened by her sister, she created the Prophets within herself, and fell peacefully into eternal sleep.