The man with the crufix

   The island was small and beautiful, as was its population, but unemployment was rising.

   As Travis watched a group of listless young men and women on the beach, an idea began to form in his mind.

   He remembered reading somewhere that the goodness of God’s creation can be manifested in art, music, literature, dance and theatre. He also remembered he had an action research project to complete at the forthcoming conclusion of his studies.

   A young woman was idly kicking some pebbles in the sand where the waves gently lapped the shore. There was a grace and dignity about her simple but repeated movements that made Travis think of a dance. And where there was dance there was music, and where there was music there could be song. The whole could be turned into an art form set against some of the most beautiful ocean scenery in the world.

   The island population had a rich heritage of folklore and music. Dressed in bright colorful clothes, the normally happy and smiling people welcomed each other gladly as they moved about the island.

   Travis turned over in his mind the idea of a dance that would begin with the graceful movements of the quickstep before increasing in tempo through the rumba and salsa to a fiery tango: he would call his dance The QRST. Thus would he portray the dignity and grace with which the people of the island handled unemployment, to be replaced by the growing exuberance of finding work that would enrich their lives.

   Music, story and song to accompany the dance would come from folklore intrinsic to the island, giving birth to a theatrical performance that would captivate audiences the world over. In this way there would be employment opportunities for all, including those who could neither dance nor sing.

   Anxious to tackle the problem of unemployment as quickly as he could, Travis shared his idea with anyone who would listen while his project began to take shape. The response was immediate and electrifying, so much so he was able to enliven his project presentation with a suggested story line – thus providing the literature element – as well as a proposed musical score, dance steps, folk songs and ocean setting as a theatrical backdrop.

   The awarding body received his report with alacrity, inviting him to make a second presentation to a full meeting of the board of trustees. Here his flair and enthusiasm led to his being asked to put together a working group charged with producing a complete theatrical production. Soon auditions were being held throughout the length and breadth of the island for anyone who wished to be part of the making of a chapter in the island’s history.

   As the production neared completion, Travis began to receive inquiries from impresarios and others on the mainland about bringing his musical to world class studios and related facilities preparatory to the organization of a world tour. Travis politely declined to pursue all such inquiries.

   Returning home from the first and triumphant dress rehearsal, he was surprised to see a large and impressive limousine drawn up outside the small house in which he lived with his parents. The limousine, which must have been brought especially to the island, appeared to be being guarded by two men in dark suits and glasses.

   Travis decided to take a circuitous route to the rear of his house from where he was able to enter unobserved through the back door. Once inside he heard his father telling an unknown visitor or visitors that only Travis could make the decision they were seeking.

   Nothing was said for some time, whereupon Travis quietly entered the room where the visitors were; his father graciously introduced him to them.

   They had come in person to invite Travis to “take the island to the mainland” where fame and fortune awaited him: after all, his QRST dance was already taking the mainland by storm.

   To anyone else the visitors might have made a convincing case, but on hearing them out, Travis asked them to accompany him, and his father, to a room at the back of the house. On entering, he exclaimed that the room had been his sister’s before she had died so tragically on the mainland. On a garlanded pedestal in front of the fireplace was an open Bible. Travis exclaimed that he and his parents referred to the Bible for guidance whenever an important decision needed to be made.

   Deftly turning the pages with a practiced hand, Travis invited his visitors to read with him in the presence of his father, the commandment given by God Himself to “Honor your father and mother”.

   Travis went on to say that, on the day of his sister’s death, he had given his word to the Lord his God that, being now an only child, he would never leave the island, thereby honoring his father and mother.

   After a long period of silence, one of the visitors reached inside his shirt and drew out a most beautiful and expensive crucifix. Pulling the chain from which it hung over his head, he slowly, almost reverently, placed it over Travis’ head and around his neck where it hung openly displayed.

   “Would that I had had a son like you” was all that he would say.

   The sound of the QRST dance began to be heard from the beach, to which they all repaired.

   A young woman was kicking some pebbles in the sand where the waves gently lapped the shore. She did so with carefully studied intent and a grace and dignity that was a delight to watch.

   Her beautiful routine complete, Travis lifted his eyes to the far side of the bay and imagined he saw hotels, jetties and a small airstrip under construction, bringing a sustained and buoyant economy to the island, along with full employment.

   No, he would not take the island to the mainland, but with the help of the man with the crucifix, he would bring the mainland to the island. Thus would he remain true to the vow he had made the day his sister died, as well as to the commandment given by the Lord his God to honor his father and mother.

For further reading: Psalms 32:8; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 40:28-31; Psalms 84:11; Philippians 4:19; John 14:21; Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 16:3; Luke 1:37