I saw eternity the other night...
The next day had the timeless quality of a dream to Simon. Ouldi took him through the village, through the Caring Places.
Simon stood in the cool interior of the Caring Place for the dying. There were two long rows of low beds, twelve on each side. Only two of these were empty. By most of the beds a Quiztano was seated, holding the hand of the dying person. The air was fragrant with flowers. Here was no horror, only an ineffable sense of peace.
"I'm not sure--" Simon whispered.
"Not sure of what?"
"That I'm strong enough. I'm afraid of death."
"That is all right," Ouldi said. "So am I. I have been out in the world and I have learned fear and lost faith. So I have returned to Dragonlake to lose fear and regain faith. That will happen to you, too."
--Dragons in the Waters, 1976, by Madeline L'Engle (1918-2007)
Simon stood in the cool interior of the Caring Place for the dying. There were two long rows of low beds, twelve on each side. Only two of these were empty. By most of the beds a Quiztano was seated, holding the hand of the dying person. The air was fragrant with flowers. Here was no horror, only an ineffable sense of peace.
"I'm not sure--" Simon whispered.
"Not sure of what?"
"That I'm strong enough. I'm afraid of death."
"That is all right," Ouldi said. "So am I. I have been out in the world and I have learned fear and lost faith. So I have returned to Dragonlake to lose fear and regain faith. That will happen to you, too."
--Dragons in the Waters, 1976, by Madeline L'Engle (1918-2007)