BECOMING PEARL ~ Women's Series

She was working as a prostitute.

She lived in a tiny one-room musty shack in the worst part of town. Nighttime was her working time. She was used to all kinds of men that would come knocking on her door. Some were even doctors, clergymen, and lawyers (They could depend on her to hold their secrets).

So when she opened the door on this early evening and saw an elderly sage man, it surprised her, but not that much. She invited him in the way she does all the others. He right away explained that he was here to help her. He told her this life was no longer hers and she is meant for something better. She broke into tears. No one had ever spoken to her this way. With such belief, kindness, and caring.

“Thank you. But how could someone like you help someone like me?”

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

-not knowing what else to do, she simply nodded yes.

“Then you must follow my instructions carefully. For all those who come to your door, you must not let anyone in. Unless they bring you pearls from the river that winds through the middle of the town.”

She knew this river. It was called the River of Wisdom. Many prayed and performed sacred ceremonies and received divine messages at this river. She use to play in it as a child.

She thought his instructions odd. But she agreed and he wished her well and left.

Every knock on the door, she would answer and explain that she cannot allow them in unless they bring pearls from the River of Wisdom.

This was often met with shock and laughter.

“Have you lost your mind, you silly woman, asking for such a thing?”

“Pearls? For you?! Ha, you should be lucky that I give you what I give you.”

“No one will do this for you. Why would they? You are just a simple whore.”

Some reacted with anger that scared her.

“How dare you ask this! Who do you think you are?!!”

“You can’t turn me away!”.

“You’ll regret this!!”

“You won’t survive without me!!!”

Some just looked bewildered

Some asked for an explanation for this sudden change.

She didn’t know how to respond to the questions and demands. So she just repeated the terms as the Sage instructed. Each time she said it her voice trembled and her legs felt weak under her.

As the night went on and she sat alone in the dark, she began feeling more and more nervous.

The men’s laughter and ridicule and threats replayed in her mind.

Then waves of panic coming over her.

How would she eat now?

How would she survive?

This life is all she knew. She had no friends or family. She was uneducated. No special skills or talent.

When she wasn’t pleasing men at night she read fantasy novels and stared out her tiny window daydreaming.

She was not especially beautiful and no longer young.

She thought, as she had so many times before, about how she had it better than so many of the other girls. They had no home and served men in alleyways and back seats. The men sometimes threw the girls out before they could even get dressed. Many were beaten regularly. Or worse. No one asked about them or took notice when they disappeared.

Only sometimes did a man raise a hand or fist at her. It wasn’t that bad of a life. Sometimes they would even bring her little gifts or treats.

Oh, god. Was all this a mistake? She is losing what little she had. For what? A stupid dream? Pearls?

She tried to cling to the Sage’s belief in her, remembering his words

“you are meant for more”.

But what if the sage was mistaken? Maybe he knocked on the wrong door? Maybe in his old age he has gone senile. Or what if she misunderstood him? What if she imagined him!? Or worse, what if it was a joke someone was playing on her?

Sitting there in the terrible dark, her mind continued spinning. The doubt and loneliness and despair grew as the night became darker and darker.

But then right at that time, that special time when night begins toward day - Right as the sun started emerging - she suddenly remembered those moments she had as a child playing in the river. Everything seemed possible in those moments. She felt free - like she could go anywhere and be anything she wanted.

She felt that free-spirited little girl inside her now.

And then.

She felt something else.

She felt proud of herself. She felt respect for herself. These good feelings were so new to her! She began thinking that maybe she would be okay! Even if she’s alone. She could find a way to survive. A better way even!

And then a knock at the door.

She opened it to see a kind and glistening face holding a laced sachet full of the most beautiful bright shining iridescent pearls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are two expressions inside you:

Your ego walls with its stories of scarcity, attachments, fear, and doubt.

and

Your inner spark of wisdom towards a greater destiny.

Pearl (that’s her name now) and her story is meant to reach the heart that longs to love itself again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the 2nd woman in a series of women that I want to bring to life. Each woman represents a unique energetic essence and depth of wisdom that has been forgotten or misunderstood.

**This story was not written by me solely. It is inspired by “Pearls of the First Water” by storyteller and author MICHAEL MEADE in his book “Fate and Destiny”. His story is the basis of Becoming Pearl. I would not normally take parts of someone else’s story and make it my own like this. But I made an exception here because, although I tried, I just could not separate his story and Pearl and myself.
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