No More Beyond
On the island of Ashutosh things have always been done a certain way, everyone follows the laws laid down by the elders. Vedic on the other hand has always done things another way, blatantly ignoring the laws laid down by the elders. He has always wondered why things were the way they were. " Because that's the way things have been done since our clan was formed." Would always be the answer Vedic received. For Vedic, this was not a satisfactory answer. For some unknown reason he was always different, everyone on the island seemed so content with their lives. The real trouble happened after Vedic had a dream about a magical island across the Ananth Sea, Vedic went around Ashutosh excitedly telling everyone about his dream. Vedic grew up being told about the struggles of living on a small island and keeping everyone fed and entertained. " Vedic! You need to stop thinking about things beyond Ashutosh!" The main elder (Akhil) said with his usual sternness when talking to Vedic. Vedic can't recall a time when he wasn't being called to the elder lodge to be reprimanded. Vedic just stared at his feet thinking about how unfair it was, that just because he thought differently than the others on the island he was treated like a constant source of disappointment. Akhil just stared at him, but not with anger as his tone would suggest, but concern. " Listen Vedic, I know you don't mean any harm. But we are a small tribe, the rules are in place to protect us." He said never breaking eye contact with Vedic. " I know it's to protect us, but what if there is something out there that could help the tribe?" Vedic asked desperate to get someone, anyone, to understand him. " There is nothing beyond Ashutosh. Our founders sent out scouts long ago, they never returned. Now return home and leave it be!" Akhil stated with a sternness that implied the conversation was over.