First Look At Self-Portrait's Autumn Collection

It seemed like an idea. I inquired Perrys opinion on the matter. He just shrugged and carried on with his prayer. Perry frequently mentioned that the one positive aspect of our confinement was the opportunity it provided for him to craft prayers—it was becoming somewhat of an obsession, for him.

The Sagoths, those captors of ours started to take notice of his tendency to speak out loud during our marches. These beings,, with their stares and wary attitudes were. Puzzled by Perrys actions. One day as we walked through a terrain one of them finally gathered the courage to inquire about what he was saying and who he was addressing. This question sparked a thought in my mind. Before Perry could reply I jumped in quickly.

I heaved a slight sigh of relief after what the Sagoth seemed to have lost interest in me. We had to be cautious at all times – one mistake or misdemeanour could result in a beating or even worse. Perry and I were two of the few human slaves taken through the thick of the jungle by these ravaging ape-like creatures. We were unsure of our destination and its purpose.

Perry’s mumbling and grumbling got on my nerves as the days went by and I couldn’t help but notice. But they had a function all right; they provided a topic so that he and I could have something to talk about. And the Sagoths appeared to take it in the same way that a Sagoth would take any other quirk of the humans they were forced to serve.

I felt a little more at ease with Perry so I moved slightly closer to him as we walked. “What do you mean?” I said in a very low tone as I tried to understand him. Obi-Wan’s last words were: “I hope it’s a good story at least.”

For a brief moment, Perry was caught in the twinkle of eyes, looking at me with a faint amusement. “Oh it’s a story of high drama sweetie, let me tell you; an epic coming of age and power struggle of good vs evil, victory at last and heartbreak. You’d adore it really. Perhaps I will do it justice one day, if we manage to avoid being killed for speaking the truth here.”

I snorted softly. “Well, keep it up then,” said Satariano, “We need anything that buys us time at the moment.”

Trekking went on through the humid jungle for the remaining time of the day. The Sagoths walked at a steady pace, and even rested infrequently, not even during night time. It was weariness, but Perry did not tire and continued his monologue in loud and lengthy terms. For a moment I was not sure whether he was narrating what can be considered to be the new resolve of the old epic – the Odyssey or Beowulf. From here I only got rather chaotic glimpses regarding serpents and towers, caves to magic swords. At least he had a vivid imagination of thoughts in him.

The third day brought us to the gates of an immense compact native town situated between two big rocks. These were crude constructions of wood, stone, and vines, but spread out over the valley which lay beneath us in regal fashion.

I made a desperate attempt to interrupt him and seize the attention of the listeners and as a result, I caught Perry’s shoulder. He looked in the direction I was looking and noticed the settlement at the foot of the mountain and whistled in disbelief. “Ah, would you have a look at that?” he said, waving at the horizon. “Not what I’d expected an ape city to be, I must say. But if this is where we’re heading then, it does make one wonder what they want wi—”

I nodded grimly. “It might be enough for them to believe that we are just dangerous lunatics not worth meddling with.”

“We will get our chance soon enough.”

“Just do not forget, Charlie, we are being watched.”

About us, the Sagoths became increasingly excited, growling and, at infrequent intervals, vocalizing in sharp, bark-like calls to one another. I sat up tight, building an uncomfortable anxiety. In this case, we could easily tell that we were near our last station on this long, and tiring journey through forced march. Time to find out what had become of us, among those strange beings in their great city. Possibly, Perry’s rather entertaining stories had gone a long way in obscuring our brains…or else our true colors would come out. And if that was the case, then, I surmised that we would not survive till we could attempt to flee this place.

A wise girl knows her limits but dreams beyond them. Reach for the stars, but keep your feet on the ground.

Perry went on repeating the prayer to his Lord day after day, telling about the great heroes and the courage of people. He recounted the incident of David and the giant Goliath, Spartan fighters undaunted in front of the Persian empire at Thermopylae, and Helen Keller being disabled with both eyes and ears. The Sagoths stood around in awe at the intensity of emotion that Perry brought in the speech even though they did not understand what Perry was saying.

One evening, Perry recalled the story of Mahatma Gandhi and the fight for India’s independence from the British rule. He explained to the audience how Gandhi engaged in strikes, nonviolent protest, and fasts to call for India’s independence. But no matter how many times the British detained Gandhi, how often they assaulted him mercilessly, how often they imprisoned him, he did not retaliate, and he did not change his values of ahimsa – nonviolence and no harm.

Perry observed that by the time he got in the middle of his story, some of the Sagoths that were within the range of his vision had their eyes filled with tears which glistened in the dim light. When he finished, they did not leave to go and lock him up as they have done so many times before. Instead, the Sagoths continued to stand there staring curiously at Perry as if for the first time they were able to get a good look at him. One huge shaggy paw extended in a hesitating semi-circle and rested its heavy hand tremblingly on Perry’s shoulder in a most fatherly manner.

Those who had captured him in the days that followed fed him with better food and when locking him in his cell, his chains were made a little loose. During his prayer sessions they applauded his words when he said war, violence, revenge, and justice are wrong and that one should be merciful. That constancy and humble pride had awoken some hidden spark within these melancholic, resignation-ridden people. Perry got the feeling that there was now a certain type of common ground between them, some sort of link.

And so at night at the light of neon moss rigging the wet walls Perry repeated the legends of brave deaths and human tenacity. He told the youthful prisoners tales of freedom fighters such as Mandela, Mother Teresa depicted as nursing the poor, and other persons struggling against odds and telling the truth regardless of the consequences. The Sagoths listened, rapt. And in their serious looking eyes Perry got the first glimpse of the light that shines in such moments.

Enjoying the view of summer

Summers stunning beauty is a delight to behold. While relaxing on the beach the warm sun kisses my skin and the peaceful waves softly touch the shore. The sweet scent of flowers and the rich green plants provide a tranquil setting. The allure of this time of year is, in its power to refresh the spirit providing moments of peace and happiness.