Write a scene or story that includes a destiny
predicted for the future. Does the fortune turn out to be true? Why or
why not? Does a character work to change their fate, or go along with
the prophecy? Do they believe in the prediction at first?
Source
Show me your palm, the teacher asked, your right hand please.
It was raining outside, the monsoon clouds erupted and were emptying a waterfall onto the forest.
The child exposed the palm of his right hand, hiding his other hand away from the master.
The old sage stroked his long beard. He sat cross-legged on the floor, closed his eyes and took a long breathe. The wise one moved his hands in mysterious fashion as if manipulating unseen lines of energy in front of him. He delved deep into a reverie, heart rushing, short breath body shaking.
After what felt like an eternity to the young pupil the learned man opened his eyes.
I am sorry son, he said, the lines in your palm give away your destiny. You are not destined for knowledge and education, your future is in the fields. You see, this line here goes in the direction of the earth meaning you are a man of the earth and not one of the self. I can teach you everything in the world but I cannot change the rules of the universe. Everything I teach you now will be futile like pouring water in the sand. There is nothing I can do to help you.
The young man started howling.
*********
His fate was sealed in the heavens, before he was born. A pawn in the divine play, a marionette who had his strings pulled.
This was the big river. After one crossed this there was no coming back until three months later when the seven-year education in the learned man's compound began. Thirty one had been selected from his cohort out of the hundred and twenty seven that had been sent.
He looked at the rush of the water. The child remembered of his family eagerly looking at the skies every so often hoping praying for the rains the sad state of sickly lean cattle. All at the mercy of the powers beyond like toys for the immortals.
The young man was sobbing.
The group had taken shelter in the final resting area before the river and the rains didn't look to be subsiding. They would wait for the river current to go down before requesting boat crossings from the local fishermen.
The child ran to the nearby thorny bush and broke off a twig from the plant. He cleaned it with the water from the skies, before cutting deep lines on his right hand with the thorn. The minders heard the shrieks of pain through the pitter-patter of rain and ran out to get the boy, his hand was already soaked in blood.
They put ointments over his wounds and covered it in bandage. One of the minders, who was the boy's second cousin volunteered to take him to the ashram one last time.
*********
The wise sage peered at the curious boy's palm with great interest. My son, he said, you have set your own fate. The lines in our heart, in our blood are stronger than the lines on our palm. You are welcome to come to the ashram for your studies.
The boy grew up to become one of the greatest sages of his time.
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