Mr. Scarab‘s Light Sources

Photography by Madelaine Bustamante

“I am ready to tell everybody’s stories! I exclaimed and he looked at me confused.‪

From then on I started walking and asking all around me for their piece of history, and I was amazed for the abundance.‬

“I am here to listen to your story,” I said to Mr. Scarab.

“My story is for whoever that wants to listen,” He replied and I drew a kind smile on his face in my mind.‬

“Sit down then, my child. We have a long way to revisit.” He said.

Oh, what a fine being he was! I miss him so very much.‬ How many good stories was I missing due to my fears and prejudices? Oh! How much I wished to go back in time and seek refugee in father’s arms. When did I stop listening? When did I stop telling? Why am I so scared? When did everything begin?

Now that I think of Mr. Scarab, I am grateful, one more time for sharing his wisdom with me, I still wonder whether I was or not a worthy recipient? He said he would share it with anyone willing to listen, but there was this mysterious aura around him that made me doubt.

He told me about mountains and people, about faraway places and places as close as my backyard, he told me about the mother of his child and his own mother, about his family and his enemies, he told me what he likes and how he encountered himself. I wonder how many people live a life as fulfilling as him... What a great master he was!

“Look there, my child.” He said looking at the sunset. 

“Every day the sun greets us, every day with a new message, a special one for each one of us, and what do we do? We are too busy with everything and nothing, what a pity! But the sun couldn’t care less about it, it is our loss, ours only.” He said with a resignation tone and sighed. 

“What about the moon? Is she meant to be dismissed for being a female?” I asked and got surprised for the impact my question did in myself, I blushed and felt apologetic immediately. Mr. Scarab let out a guffaw. 

“Sweet child, you missed the whole point if you weren’t able to see that the moon is our guide and comforter, in the gloomy nights and what seems to be the end of us, the moon is there, every night, giving us another thread of hope. Doesn’t she make us dream? But how distracted we are with useless things to thank her and let her bath us with her beauty!”

And I thought I got it, for a long time I was able to connect inside and outside.

How did I get here again then? There was something missing for sure... Whether I missed something or never had it. Am I walking through the tightrope of my life one more time? Will I ever walk with my feet firmly on the ground? Or, at least, learn to fly? Where was Mr. Scarab now, I haven’t seen him in a while, will he ever come back? I should go and talk to the moon now, maybe she will have some answers.

Photography by Madelaine Bustamante