A
King for Quito
Part Two: PEDRO
In April of 2054, which in the new ‘Wondrous’ calendar was the year 210, Luz gave birth to a son, whom they named Pedro. The news cameras covered them leaving the hospital.
Little Pedrito grew into a stout bull of a boy, with strong
determination. Jaime and Luz were a little amazed that they would make a boy
whose personality was so different from theirs. Whereas they cultivated
literacy and eloquence, courtesy and caring, Pedro sometimes exasperated them
with his disinterest in sociability or in the study of books, his rude language
and rowdy ways of play.
He often got into trouble with the boys in the international
school, and twice had to be taken to the principal’s office. When he got older,
he insisted on things his parents found hard to deny. Racing the mini-cars at
the amusement park and hiking into the wilderness. When he got older still, he
rode motorcycles and loved working with his hands on them himself.
Pedro was stout, and in most ways like his Kichwa people. But
when people tried to move him, they found he was like a boulder, physically and
mentally.
His father was the scholar, the teacher, the healer, the king.
How could he ever match that? Pedro couldn’t seem to be appreciative enough of
his own position.
His father used to take him around the country with him to see
the condition of the people. In later years he was glad of this; but at the
time it was hard. Jaime asked his son questions to make him think.
What if you were to rule? What if you were to rule?” Jaime kept
asking.
“What would you do to improve the life of the people?”
“I don’t know” Pedro mumbled. His own immaturity irritated himself.
“Have you thought about the purpose of creation?”
“Padremio” Pedro insisted, instead of mi Papi. “I don’t believe there’s a creator, and I don’t see a
purpose to the universe. It just is. We make our own purposes, --and I can’t
seem to get a grip on mine.”
Aghast,Jaime stopped himself from shouting how he felt.
He could see his son seething, and knew the problem and the
solution.
“I want you to think of the people!”
“I am! I want to be with my friends. And we just want to have
fun.”
“So all that matters to you is your fun at the moment! That
might be possible if you were not the son of the king!” Jaime said. “You should
prepare for the day when you are the leader of this nation!”
“So why should I want to be king! There is no freedom! It’s like
you’re a nazi!” Pedro blurted out. “I’m not free at all!” And he ran out.
To himself, Jaime muttered “Benditos los mansos, porque recibíran la tierra en herencia.” (Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit
the earth.)
Jaime was farther from being a nazi than any man on earth, but
not to Pedro.
Anything Pedro wanted to say about himself having fun was choked off by the imperative of the
“Emperador de las Provincias”, whom he had called nazi!
Talking with others in the family, Jaime realized his son would
not be easy to get along with. Pedro had the urge within him to make his own
way in the world.
When he was older, Pedro would remember how patient and wise his
papi was.
He even remembered the exact Verses Jaime quoted to him: “Pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection, to
disdain, hostility, injustice: act ye in the opposite way. Be ye sincerely
kind, not in appearance only.”
Finally, in university, when he took the recommended courses in
political science and business, Pedro began to show a dedication to el ecuador; but he would still wander off
without even a chofur. People
wondered how such a “loose cannon” would contribute to the nation.
“I wish you would stay” his mother said when she saw he was
leaving again.
“And I wish to enjoy my freedom while I can,” he answered
civilly. He loved his mother, and actually admired her dedication, and devotion
to the Cause of God; but he was not yet ready to commit himself to it.
What mostdidn’t know was that he biked back to the house where
his father was raised. He arrived in the evening and found the place empty; so
he spent the night there. In the morning, he strolled around the place. The old hacienda wall of tamped terrain was quaint, if
ever anything was! It was six feet tall and two feet thick, with old tiles on
top, like a roof that ran the length. It joined with the wall of the house,
inclosing an inner yard and patio. The red baked tiles were long half-tubes,
with the first layer insides up. The second layer was inside down. This was
enough to shed the mild rains. Moss and other long-stemmed plants, broad-leafs
and succulents, were all scattered across the old property lines like a
testament to el ecuador. Other people
would soon come to live there. Quickly Pedro roared off, eager to get far way.
What
Pedro didn’t know was that his route was monitored by his father and Diego in
the capital. When they determined where he was, they laughed and stopped
worrying.It was after this that Diego
retired and a new driver was chosen for the family.
When
Pedro was twenty-five, his abuelita
Elena, Jaime’s mother, passed away after a short illness that should not have
been fatal. She was 76. She had always been kind and generous to Pedro, even
when he was truant or delinquent. In fact, she was often the one nearest, when
Luz was busy with Jaime and affairs of state.
After the funeral, Pedro cogitated. ‘The whole human race can’t stop me from
opting out, and pouting about it out loud, if I want to have a say. I’m always
ready to help up the meek of the earth that the mighty have forgotten. If you want
my suggestion, hunker down, store supplies and be prepared to lose power again,
internet, phones etcetera’.
He could hear
his mother say: ‘Use candles safely and
efficiently and have them ready.’ Or
‘If you can house a horse, it might pull a buggy for you’.Or “A place for everything and everything in its
place”.
Then one day Luz found Pedro in his room, obviously packing for
an extended trip somewhere. He turned to look at her. Her eyes were wet, and he
felt sorry for her.
“Mama,” he said, in a conciliatory tone, “I need to go to
Sevilla for myself and do research in el Archivo General
de Indias. You understand that it is
because I will someday be king that I want this opportunity now.”
“That’s good, mi hijo.
That would be good.”
On the commercial flight to Spain, Pedro prepared himself online
to have the most effective use of his time in the Archives.
Then he went to Madrid and took his time visiting certain
places, contemplating the empire which had overwhelmed his people 500 years
earlier. After a day of buses and taxis,
he turned into a tapas café. He later
wondered what would have happened if he had not gone inside.
He found a seat and made himself comfortable, and looked at his
tablet for a time.
He looked up at dated and cured hams hanging from the ceiling,
and waited for the attention of the proprietor. There was a wonderful woman
also trying to decide what she wanted. While her gaze was elsewhere he studied
her.
Her wavy hair was full and unbound. He clothes showed a unique
whimsical style. She was poised and well-spoken, and she seemed to him, at that
moment, like the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Something registered
deep within him. He made his own selection, and contented himself with
observing her, becoming more and more enchanted with her.
The way she finished her plate was delicate and feminine.
Suddenly she was preparing to leave. Pedro stood up and moved towards the exit,
but turned to intercept her. He was determined to speak to her.
“Buenastardes” he said politely, his eyes on hers, his left hand
resting calmly on the counter.
Something about him caused her to pause and make his
acquaintance. He seemed familiar. He was solidly built, almost stocky, with his
shining black hair tightly pulled back in a small braid. She smiled and
inquired if he was pleased with the place. His accent told her he was ecuatoriano. When he asked her name, she
was clear and sincere, and showed no guile. Then he mentioned his own name, and
realization came to her. He was the son of the king!
Olga Maldonado was mestiza,
well-read and worldly, and with strong artistic tendencies. She was fortunate
to have great natural beauty. She had learned to steer herself proudly in a
world of men who salivated to be near her. She had become adept at turning away
advances of men, or sharpening their interest, depending upon her mood. She knew
she should not let it affect her behavior and intended to learn more about him.
They sat down again at a table for two nearby, both vibrating with natural
attraction. Pedro was thrilled that she was giving him her full and undivided
attention.
“…yes, I am seeing as much of the world as I can, before I must
return”.
“And have you been to the cave of Lascaux and seen the ancient
paintings?”
“No. I know about them, but hadn’t planned to go there. And you
have been there?” he asked as nonchalantly as possible.
“Ah, you must! The paintings are at least 20,000 years old! There is a pasillo de roca natural (a natural rock hallway), with chambers going off the sides. They are not so far; and you will never forget them!”
Both were now calculating at faster speeds. She be was eager to
be even bolder.
Holding his eyes, she revealed the enchanting smile which worked
on him.
“Yes I have! Because I love the arts; it is like travelling in
time!”
“Well, I would enjoy hearing you tell me about them”.
‘Just thinking about them makes me want to see them again, and
go underground in the coolness and the stillness!”
“uh huh” he responded cautiously.
“There are bison and deer with archers ready to get them, and
great elks. Oh, the aurochs and horses! And the hunters!” She made herself
gather her hands in front of her, as she began to describe what she remembered.
Pedro listened intently, trying to store away both what she
said, and the spirited way she said it.
Soon she ran out of the verve which had come over her, talking
about one of her favorite subjects. So she asked him what he enjoyed. He told
her about his time in Seville. He talked about motorcycling. Now she was getting
to know this solid looking prince better.
And Pedro, for his part, had nowhere else he would rather be
than in front of the vivacious Olga.
They talked more about other things, and exchanged their
personal data, to see each other again soon.
In the days to come they saw each other again, and steadily drew
closer and closer.
When she admitted she would accompany him to southern France, if
he wished her to, Pedro felt a great sense of destiny encompass him, excitement
and peace at the same time.
They went to France. They toured the caves, and Pedro and Olga
easily fell in love.
Both were young, self-confident adults. Both had been intimate
before and had remained stable after the break-ups. They found themselves genuinely
devoted to being together.
She said “I have been wanting to return to Ecuador. What better
escort could I have!”
“I have to face my family, which is more of a theological
seminary than a home!”
“Why do you say that?” she asked him, leaning her fragrant head
to one side.
“With Jaime the king, it is all about God. I know he is a good
servant of the people but…”
“Hasn’t he done well to chart a different course from China on
this matter?”
“You are referring to their policy towards religions in
general?” asked Pedro.
“Yes. You have seen how they try to mitigate the fervor of
religion in peoples’ hearts. I can see why in the case of the terrorists. But
that atheist tendency I see as a flaw stemming from old communist thinking.”
Pedro sat still, considering.
“And you are the prince!” she went on, “and you have doubts
about the existence of God!”
“Well, I wonder how anyone can know for sure.”
“Is that right.” She said it like a sad statement, not a
question. “How would you like it if China ruled all the countries like its own
provinces?”
A wave of emotion had rushed over her. She stood up from the
table where they were having their merienda.
He looked up at her questioningly.
“I’m ready to be someone’s wife. I pictured the two of us together.”
He could see she was trying very hard to control her voice. “But certainty
about God is not something I wrestle with. I have seen what godless regimes can
do. Haven’t you? It suddenly occurs to me that pretending what we believe
doesn’t matter and having a relationship with you, and taking on the burden of
wife to the future king is not what I want, if you are too proud to believe in
God.”
And with that she turned to go. This hit Pedro like a
thunderbolt. She walked out with brisk determination. Just like that! He
ponderously arose, and tried to stop her; but she was gone like a leaf in the
wind.
For several days, they were apart. Although she answered his
calls, she said she was immersed in her art, and that was all there was to it!
He did not feel like going out without her. And he wrestled with his innermost
self, wondering how to avoid losing her. “Should I apologize for my beliefs, or
lack of them?”
Because he had taken public transport he decided to stop
pestering her for the time being, and he returned to Quito.
But his mood deepened and darkened, and he did not like what he
witnessed. At first he would not talk to any of the family. But eventually, he
went to see Señor José, his grandfather, who was retired and available to his
family.
José had a modest place nearby, not in the compound. He saw
Pedro coming and opened the door and went inside with him. Pedro sat down,
while José brought them some mora juice in a pitcher. José cast his
well-practiced detached gaze on Pedro.
“Que pasaenespañaPedrito?”he asked Pedro as he sat down.
Pedro had come for counsel, but was reluctant to express
himself. Slowly, he told him about Olga, the voluptuous artist and mystic.
“I found the woman I love.”
“And where is
she now?”
“I left her there.” There was stillness between them for a
while.
“What will you do to regain her?” asked José frankly.
Another long pause ensued.
“It is about belief. She walked out when I spoke of my doubts
about God.” For as long as he could,José remained silent. But finally, he said:
“Do you want to regain your Olgita?”
“Yes, I do, but…”
“Do you want her to be heedless of God like you?”
This was enough for Pedro. He arose and made his way to his own
room. José sat unmoving for long after, deep in thought.
Pedro had long realized he was a check-mated king-to-be. All the
teachings of social good seemed to be unbreakably linked to divine Teachers,
who said they were divine-sent. He could not argue with the teachings from a
knowledge of the Books he had not bothered to study. A sense of urgency and
panic overtook him. He believed in Olga more than himself! He decided to regain
her, and allow her to be the heart of the relationship. If she loved God, he
would too. He set about re-contacting her, calling her, revealing his thoughts,
and helping her arrange her return to el
ecuador.
“I don’t want to lose you, Olga!” There was silence for a moment.
“What made you change your mind,
Pedrito?
“I don’t want anyone else but
you.” He admitted.
“Is that right?” she asked cheerily, as a bird would chirp.
“And I want you to be the heart of our home”. This stopped her.
“You realize you are asking me to be queen of Ecuador, sí?”
“Maybe we don’t have to govern,” he
mumbled.
“No,” her tone was final. “You will be
king and I will be with you. But I have to study this Bahá’í that is spreading
around the world.”
Then Pedro appeared, with his Olga; and they were inseparable.
They became newsworthy.Coverage of him greeting her at the airport and
travelling with her to the compound was on the news, which went far beyond the
borders of Ecuador.
Pedro and Olga came to meet the family. There was dinner with
several other officials as well. Elena and Luz were solicitous and kind. Their
benevolence was encouraging to her. She sensed she could adapt to the first
family. But at the first opportunity Olga rummaged through Jaime’s book cases.
Pedro knew she was going to make a thorough study; but what he did
not expect was that Olga would attend the meetings, commit herself and join the front lines
of the teaching work. She became as devoted as Jaime, and went with Jaime a
lot.
“Alláh-u-Abhá!” Jaime said, greeting his nuera.
This made Jaime so jubilant, he was
tongue-tied for a time. He gently teased his son when he saw the perplexity on
his face. There were other Ecuadorians present, and he said:
“No es raro
como se resuelvan las asuntos!” (Isn’t it strange how things turn out)
Jaime couldn’t stop laughing.
And following his heart, Pedro bowed to
her lead, and allowed himself to accept what prevailed -that the destiny of the
kingship in Ecuador was within the Bahá’í Revelation, and nowhere else, no
matter what. She immediately saw the short and long-term implications, and
patiently explained them to him, since he had some catching up to do. In fact,
her love and scholarship on the subject became evident everywhere.
Eagerly showing him what she found out,
she would bring to him fantastic stories about forces in harmony and in
contention.
“Don’t you realize what you have?” she
wondered. “Read this”:
The Great Being saith: The
structure of world stability and order hath been reared upon, and will continue
to be sustained by, the twin pillars of reward and punishment. And in another
connection He hath uttered the following in the eloquent tongue: [Arabic] Justice
hath a mighty force at its command. It is none other than reward and punishment
for the deeds of men. By the power of this force the tabernacle of order is
established throughout the world, causing the wicked to restrain their natures
for fear of punishment. (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 164)
As Pedro began working in civic affairs, his Olgita was with
him. They were a team. Pedro and Olga showed competence in city management in
two small towns. In these positions they developed for several years. They had sworn to uphold principle against
corruption. But at the same time, nothing seemed able to stop them from a
continuing romance. They savored it with delight. To his family’s relief, Pedro
finally married Olga at the age of thirty-two. Then he became mayor of Quito,
in a non-partisan deal that no one had any problem with. He sometimes liked to
go into town incognito, to the distress of the aids and guards. This was a
practice he continued to do sometimes, even after he became king. Sometimes
Olga went with him, and they would disguise themselves, and mingle with the
people. This was how they learned that some people were surprised that Olga had
no children for six years. What was going on in their boudoir? Weren’t women
supposed to stay home and have children immediately?
When she finally did become pregnant, and Leo was born at home
in the government compound, she limited the TV cameras.
Leo became the apple of Jaime’s eye. That was good, because
someone wise watched over Leo and trained him, when Pedro and Olga traveled so
much. Jaime’s padre José had visited a few times after his son’s ascension to
public life; but then the matriarch Elena passed away in 2079. The government
had taken little interest in him, but provided him courteous assistance. He had
never shown interest in public life, but sometimes told his son how proud he
was of him. Where he went, and what happened to him, Jaime never knew.
Then, in 2094, at the age of seventy-three, it was obvious that
Jaime’s home life took more of his time then the affairs of state. And there
was the weakness appearing in the elected leadership, and trouble within the
bureaucracies.
Jaime admitted to himself that the ability of his son Pedro,
with his nuera (daughter-in-law)
Olga,eclipsed his own. Although they were very different in nature, Jaime decided
to abdicate in favor of them both. In time, they did assume more of the
leadership of the country than he had even practiced.What seemed important in
Jaime’s time had been to establish a bond with the people, and a standard for
the new institution of kingship –which in reality was the ennoblement of the
concept of the Inca, and its’ gradual spiritualization and improvement. Now, it
was time for Pedro to extend the dominion of the corona (crown) into all affairs of state. But Pedro could not do it
without Olga.
Jaime continued to live in the government compound, doing what
he had always done, reaching out to his countrymen,and willing to give counsel
if needed, teaching, and tutoring little Leo, who would spread the spirituality
of the office across the face of the planet.
Olga often went out, with other Bahá’í women, to make
home-visits. Sometimes they went to churches, and she was sometimes honored,
and sometimes viewed with suspicion Where ever they went, they answered the
questions of the people and asked some of their own. To the Testigos de Jehova they told them Bahá’u’lláh was the Voice of Jehovah. To the Seventh
Day Adventists, they reminded them of the prophetic year 1844. To the Evangelicals,
they discussed the Return of Christ, and to the Mormons, they gave out the book
showing the relationship between the two faiths, and told the story of the Sura
of Yusuf (Joseph) that MullaHusayn had experienced, in his first meeting with
the Báb. They found eager listeners, and some followers.
When PedroRumiñawi came to power, he was at the height of his abilities; and it
was during a time when indolent indecision weighed down the elected president
and his cabinet. A type of dual-presidency began, with Pedro forced to act as a
buttress and a force to compel the government, with his ready ideas, and his
immovable resolve and personality. This was his dual armament: his readiness to
move, and his inability to be moved.
Unlike his father, he did
put on the corona that had been made,
but never worn for Jaime.From a simple gold band arose 24 small tapered flames.
He cut his hair short, and never wore the trensa
again. And because of Olga, Pedro gave thought to the “God-born Force” versus
the “forces of darkness.”He read, in a wandering way, Sun Tsu’sArt of War, with a moderate diet of
Scripture. It would be his grand-daughter who would be the great promoter of
the Force.
Yet, day after day, Pedro worked hard at his job, compelled
by Duty more than others. And Pedro, King of Ecuador, kept “tiempoalemania” (German time), and this he
expected to be demonstrated by all his staff and in all his affairs. This was
good, because the world federation needed the attention of everyone.
In the hall designated for the meeting, Pedro awaitedLi Jun, the Chinese ambassador. The ambassador arrived and the
limousine moved out of sight. Each side had a party of five men. Pedro greeted
them quietly and led them to the tables in the hall.
There was always the space-port, mitigation of the damage
caused in the Amazon by the petroleum industry, the dog plague, improving
health centers and schools. Chinese also operated a few schools for training to
enforce nationalist policies. These schools Pedro had decided, had to go. It
was optional whether Quito accepted them or not. Pedro wanted them gone; not
just because of a sense of demonstrating his own sovereignty, but because he
wanted to show that he took the primacy of China “with a grain of salt”.
After the greetings and introductions of new faces, the
meeting came to order and the list of topics was produced.
“The first issue to be discussed” Li Jun began in a low tone, “is your Space Port that is nearing
completion.” There was some exchange between the minor players.
“Yes”, murmured Pedro, with his expressionless face, when he
felt it was time to move on. Jaime had long ago agreed to their proposals about
the land needed and the buildings to add to the Space Port near Guayaquil. The
base and Port were Ecuadorian nearly done, but would not have been as great
without Chinese assistance. Li Jun and the Chinese were happy. He knew
certain small issues could be dealt with, so he acquiesced to the Space Port
proposals, and made no objections. This also made the Chinese happy.
The next item on the agenda was the management of spills and
disruption of humans and forests for the diminishing petroleum industry. The
Chinese raised saddened faces and pledged to make ecological recompense. Pedro
only smiled and nodded.
Then, the Chinese team finally revealed their intention
concerning the dog plague, which had continued to get worse over the last
hundred years. As a mercy to the dogs, as a species, breeding had to stop for
unclaimed street dogs. That meant most dogs on the streets and roaming the fields,
whom no owner claimed –the feral, the diseased, the maimed, the lactating
mothers who desperately ripped open garbage bags searching for something to
nurse her puppies, would be gathered in abattoirs to be erected in different
parts of the country. Pedro knew all this better than they did. He was grateful
toLi Jun for taking care of the problem, and again he assented
to this proposal.
Now it was time to talk about the few Chinese schools across
the country, which taught languages effectively but sought to indoctrinate
students to the Chinese line.
The proposal was that they be funded more, expanded and
increased; but Pedro almost interrupted with a hand held down rigidly, slicing the
air with the other. “Stop. The schools are not to my liking.”
They stared at him, sitting there, immovable as a mountain.
“You are not in favor of the Chinese cultural centers?” an
underling asked incredulously, glancing at Li
Jun.
“Language studies are fine; but I will not consent to the
other projects unless the indoctrination curriculum is completely cut off. And
the elective courses in existence now have to go. I notice that you like the
harmony the Bahá’í teachings bring around the world; but you want to avoid
complete submission to Bahá’í law; and you want to determine the ultimate
outcome. I see that as a flaw stemming from old communist thinking. You can’t
have it both ways.”
This was not to Li Jun’s liking, not the view
they hoped to instill everywhere in the world.
“You see,” said Pedro,
“we are developing our own schools, civil and Bahá’í schools.”
“But you yourself
don’t teach much,” one of the aids observed. Jaime again.
“I preside over a
dominion just as your supreme leader does. Some teach, some defend. Others
build or tear down. I am one of the defenders.”
Then the ambassador
himself said, “We are prepared to live with it.” Pedro found this somewhat
humorous. He could not conceal a small smile.
“If I remember my
history, the Abrahamic faiths made great progress throughout the world, except in
the Far East. Islam did not completely dominate India or China. But there are
many thousands of years to go in this Bahá’í Cycle.”
The implication was
one the Chinese did not want to discuss. The topic was a diversion from the
agenda, but had engaged them anyway.
Li
Jun wondered. “You actually believe that the Bahá’í religion
will take over the whole world?”
Pedro paused,
considering. “Certainly! If it is from God, no one can stop it!”
Why the new king was so adamant about this issue could not be
completely clear to them; and they deflected his intensity by promising to take
it up at another time.
“About the schools, there will be no other time”, Pedro gently
emphasized. “Not about this.” And he closed the meeting.Li Jun and his team took their leave.
And in those days, Pedro el
Reybegan to pray regularly, propelled by the same duty he approached all
other things. He preferred to perform his prayer before dawn, then hasten
across town, handling his brief-case closely to his chest.
He instituted a council to the King which advised him, and
met with him as often as needed. The members of this council steadily grew
until they had to meet in a larger hall. It was clear that among the
appointees, at least half were Bahá’í converts.
Pedro routinely met with school officials, and extended the range of schools his father had started and supported. But
the Chinese type schools, he would not allow.
Like many
of the world’s leaders, Pedro invited Arabic teachers from their diaspora to
satisfy the increasing Bahá’í interest
in its own scriptural heritage. At Olga’s suggestion,a bi-lingualBahá’íscholar from mixed Persian and Bahraini background, was employed in the
capital, and often came to the king’s compound to teach and give counsel if needed. His name was
Suhayl, and he was loved by those who knew him.
On one occasion, while taking a break between classes
for the women and children he could not help but weep at the memory of what had
happened to people he knew in the Arabian Peninsula; and he was comforted by
Olga long after the class was supposed to be over. She listened as he told her
harrowing stories.
These
stories she recounted to Pedro, who found them nearly unbelievable. She even
considered writing them down with Suhayl’s help, so they would not be
forgotten. Stories like these were common around the world.
But she
was too busy as wife to Pedro. One night it was an art exhibition, and
tomorrow, luncheon with Pacific nations. Although Pedro was the principal
actor, it was Olga who performed as his conscience.She was the one who stressed
that the most complete diversity of the human race was first attained by Bahá’ís at their congresses.When she detected the slightest hint that the
Chinese still wanted to choke any vocal objections to human rights, she growled
and went to work, spoke out and wrote messages.
“The most
diverse gathering of tribes, ethnic groups, languages, nations and races ever
assembled. World-Citizenship accomplished by Bahá’u’lláh and
none other.”
Shelovingly encouraged the art of consultation in herPedro,el Rey delecuador. When at a large reunion
of theayllu, she encouraged all the
relations to study languages like Arabic and Persian and Chinese. Some were
receptive, but most were not. While Pedro was blunt, she was diplomatic, and
she lovingly mentioned this to him. Therefore, he gradually excelled in consultation,
and emphasized it in required classes, and spoke about its methods, and
purposes, to resolve academic, domestic and international disputes. He could
not be roused from his solidity and calm; but if he was, he could not be
stopped.
He
improved and insisted on training the traditional mingas (work crews), to be more effective and to clean up the
country, and sometimes worked on them himself, encouraging everyone to keep the
country beautiful. Everyone was well paid or provided for it. But he spared
himself the glove work, until Olga went out herself. Then he consented to put
in time, even as king, setting an example, cleaning trash from the roadside.
But robotic systems were also deployed to clean up trash, to irrigate and mitigate
the polluted streams and rivers. In the surf, the sea and the cities, there
were many slow-moving robotic cleaners. This freed the workers to do other
projects.
Olga and Pedro
championed the oneness ofecuatorianosdiversos,
which was always seen in el ecuador,
but only now more warmly accepted in el
ecuador.
The space
port became operational and was to be for everyone. Various types of launches
and landings were carefully executed. Consideration for a carbon tape
space-elevator, anchored in the area advanced apace.
The world
federation had arisen out of dire need, in the Bad Time. Now refugees from
Amazonas and Colombia, Peru and Bolivia poured into the country, as they had
from Venezuela before. It was a rich country; but the people had been poor. Now
others came to be saved by its bounty. In the case of the United States, a
federal government had not yet been set up again. Regional administrations had
been formed for Hawaii, Alaska, and the western, central, southern and
northeastern areas of the “lower 48.”
It was now
obvious there must be advancement on all fronts through universal
participation.
Pedro’s
constant consultation with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís
of Ecuador produced the hope that Ecuador might
actually lead the way in the formation of the Baha’i Commonwealth –those
nations whose leaders were Bahá’í, and whose majority populations were Bahá’í, and who were welded together and guided by the Universal House of
Justice in Haifa, Israel, -to which the people of the former Jewish state were
among the first to turn.
Already,
Israel itself, the crippled United States, and certain other countries like
Belize, and Uganda, had leaders and populations becoming more andmore Bahá’í. Alaska, which had become independent from the “lower 48” was now a
majority Bahá’í state. The “lower 48” had started
all over again from scratch. Diverse councils merged into greater councils that
gradually reformed governments in the western, central, eastern and southern
regions. Hawaii had once again become a sovereign kingdom and was progressing
along the lines of Ecuador. Other countries had regions which had become Bahá’í,
and they had to deal with that reality. Russia, for instance, witnessed the
unexpected birth of a Bahá’í Yakutia in its middle!
It was
Israel, Iran and the American states that were the most dramatic. The Jewish
capital was incinerated, and made people wonder why God had reserved another
such holocaust for them. But Carmel shone out like a lighthouse, and the people
madealiyahand flocked to that New
Jerusalem. Bombs had landed there too, but had mysteriously not exploded. It
was discussed with amazement in the press how those nations who followed the
directives given them by the Universal House of Justice were guided and
blessed, and those who refused were not. The realization dawned: For them and
all the Bahá’ís, theHoly One of Israel was
in the Land, and it was time to stop being heedless! The very Ark was again in
the Land; and the Land was Beulah-land,
and Hephzibah (My Delight is in her).
This realization regenerated the beaten people of the land.
Pedro returned to the casa
blanca, inside the government compound. Motion sensor lights were mounted
on the eves. On the patio at night, little crickets crawling, and creaking. In
the light, Missithe cat looked out from inside, where the growing clan was
gathered, and suddenly started to lick her shoulder. There was Luz and Jaime,
Olga with little Leo, and the various service people. It was a home that was
also the center of the country.
Jaime lived for another twenty years, and died at the frail age
of ninety-three, in the year 2114, and was “buried with his grandfathers”. The
state funeral for him was very great, because he was perceived as great –not
the greatness that ambitious men yearn for, but the admiration of the people
for his fairness and goodness.
Ecuador was no different. The faith of the king had emerged from
obscurity and taken its place with its sister-faiths. Joyous parades and
parties, recitations and gift-giving characterized the observances of those who
loved Bahá’u’lláh. Three hundred years had passed since that Sun had dawned in
Tihran; and for a hundred years, all countries had used the lunar reckoning to
celebrate the consecutive Twin Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, which were
considered now as one Festival.
There were
parades attended by thousands and thousands of new Bahá’ís celebrating all the Bahá’í Holy Days. In 2117, a massive celebration of the Tri-Centenary of
Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth was held throughout the world. Every place was full of the
enthusiasm of the Bahá'ís; and even more waves of new-believers entered the faith;
but when Jaime passed away, it seemed the whole country turned out to march
solemnly behind the hearse on its way to the cemetery.
When it was time for him to speak, Pedro wanted to remember his
father and said:
“When I think
about Baha’u’llah, and how He remained calm and fearless, I am led to think of
my infinitely patient papi. That was
the miracle. No normal man could do that. Now I feel some guilt. It
took me a long agonizing time to stop and really look at the books on my
father’s shelves. Better late, than never. I could've avoided so many
self-inflicted problems by simply reading and taking time to reflect and
obeying. Now I recommend them to my people and all the rest of the world!”
“One of the unique characteristics of my father’s time as king
was the serendipitous timing of things. The totally random murder of David has
come to mean that Bad Time did not want to be over, but it was. To his family,
and relatives, to his friends of all countries and religions, and the Baha’is,
my father stood for unity and peace, for progress and justice. David was always
on his mind. Everyone knows he began
many schools and was always teaching. It was either Ruhí, or his own lessons. There was not enough room in the house for all
the people who wanted to come. Sometimes he went to larger venues. On one
occasion they were talking about the kings of the earth that were standing up
for the permanent peace, after the Bad Time. Now we see that the Good time
began with my father, encouraging other world leaders to support the Lesser
Peace, and the Bahá'í
Commonwealth which developed after that. This passage was brought up.
'Abdu'l-Bahá had been speaking to the Secretary of the New York Peace Society:
‘You must rest assured, and let there be no trace of doubt in
your souls that God is your assister and helper. The Heavenly confirmations
will descend upon you more and more. God will protect you and will give you new
strength continually. Your world-motives will conquer the world of men; all
obstacles will disappear before your advance; no earthly power can resist the
onrushing power of peace. For this power is assisted by the power of God and
that which is divinely assisted must prevail. Consider how the Cause of Christ
was confirmed. How many resisted it! What mountains of obstacles were raised
against it! What hostile forces sought to destroy its foundations! Yet the
kings and emperors of the world could not resist its spread and establishment.
No power of earth can withstand the on-flow of the spirit of truth. If earthly
kings and kingdoms come in its way it will conquer, and they will be
overthrown, always: for your cause is truth itself, and truth is omnipotent. If
all nations arise to oppose they will be vanquished, and you will be
victorious. You are a servant of God, not a servant of this world. A servant of
God is he who gives some benefit to the world of man.’”
Soon after that, Guagua Pichinche erupted severely, throwing ash
on Quito. A brief evacuation was necessary. For weeks, machines and people in
breathers, with shovels, cleaned the
streets, to permit goods to be brought in. Pedro himself helped with this
effort, working every day until he was exhausted.
In the crowd of dusty workers Ibn Bashir approached Pedro. He
acted friendly and congratulated the stocky king. He did not linger or explain
how he had found David's killer and learned how the murder was done, but not
why. There was no why. He was continually watching the royal family, intrigued
with their brazen success, gathering data, refining plans. His son Shimr and a
team of others, were well establishing themselves in Ecuador and other
countries
The twenty-six year rule of Pedro Rumiñawi was intensely busy, dealing with all manner of
problems, such as the dog plague, the development of solar panels on every
household for hot water. It was obvious he would concentrate on the
infrastructure of the country.
There had been the space port, the allocation of the land,
housing the large international work force, and encouraging qualified
Ecuadorians, the brightest pilots and scientists to go into the space program.
The City of Knowledge at Yachay had become the magnet for international
students that it was meant to be, and the high tech sciences of power
production, medicine and robotics had thriving departments there.
The Bahá’í Faith kept spreading in Ecuador and other countries of the world. Even
if there was opposition, it was unstoppable. There was such love in the people of
Bahá for Bahá’u’lláh
Himself! Like the leaven in a loaf of bread, the Bahá’í community gradually
reconstructed the world.
Pedro’s
focus was on the space port, and trying to make his people realize that having
an alma socialista (socialist soul)
meant not polluting the country! He was involved in the sensitive negotiations
with China, engaging in political tai chi,
with its overwhelming leverage. He was determined to develop solar power and
phase out the pollution from the petroleum industry. He would not allow Ecuador
to be completely swallowed by the dragon. This meant hours on the phone, and
the frantic antics of decaying bureaucracy.
The
brightest pilots and scientists were channeled into the space program, slowly developing
at Yachay and other universities abroad.
He liked Olga
to travel with him on diplomatic missions, within the country and abroad; and
this often left little Leo at home. But fortunately, Leo’s mentor was his
Abuelito Jaime, and this bode well for the future.
Li Jun, the Chinese ambassador, was
eager to stay close to the royal family. It was obvious the change to Leo would
happen soon. And China wanted to keep up with the leading Bahá’í countries in South America. They planned to catalogue every identity. They
were very familiar with Leo’s friend Joon, just as they were with all Bahá’ís
within China itself. Joon was not to be molested in any way at all.
Pedro had seen, in his time, Bahá’í National Spiritual Assemblies, in
countries whose majority populations became Bahá’í, evolve into National Houses of
Justice. These continued to elect the Universal House of Justice in the Holy
Land. He also saw great social projects undertaken, on Earth, orbital stations
in near-Earth space and the LaGrange points, stations on the Jovian moons, and
inter-stellar exploratory craft sent out on very long-term missions.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
2021 Jaime Rumiñawi born.
Centenary of the Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
2044 Bi-Centenary of the Declaration of the Báb Jaime, age 23, becomes Bahá'í at University because of his friend David
2050 Jaime becomes king at age 29. “Good Time” said to have
begun
2053 Jaime married at age 32, to Luz age 26. Bi-Centenary of the
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh in the Black Pit
2054 Pedro born to Jaime and Luz
2063 Bi-Centenary of the Ridvan Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh
2079 Passing of Jaime’s mother Elena aged 76
2086 Pedro age 32 married Olga age 22
2092 Leo born to Pedro and Olga. Bi-Centenary of the Ascension
of Bahá’u’lláh
2094 At age 73 Jaime abdicates to Pedro, age 40
2110 Leo befriended by Joon, at age 18
2114 Jaime dies at age 93. Leo and Joon travel worldwide
spreading jen-tao and da tong
2117 & 2119
Tri-Centenaries of the Twin Manifestations
2120 Pedro dies at
age 66, Leo crowned at age 28, and marries Ana
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