It wasn't the first time that I'd felt that way, like a triumphant Superman. I was, for the time being, loving life. I was full of energy and power. I started telling The Fat Man all my plans for the next few days.
The Fat Man smiled happily.
As always, I felt like Jorge was accompanying me on my emotional roller coaster. Sharing my happiness with Jorge was one more reason to be happy. The plans all made sense so I kept going, even though I wasn't going to have time to do it all, even with two lifetimes.
- Can I tell you a story? - he said
I remember how difficult it was, but somehow I quieted myself.
Once upon a time these was a king who ruled a far off land.
He was a good king, but he had a problem: he had two personalities.
There were days when he would get up happy and full of energy, euphoric. Right from the start those were wonderful days. The palace gardens seemed more beautiful. His servants, by some strange occurrence, became friendly and efficient.
During breakfast, he averred that during his reign the flour was the finest ever produced and the harvest the best ever reaped.
On those days, the king lowered taxes, redistributed wealth, did favors for others, and legislated to promote peace and ensure the well-being of the elderly. On those days, he agreed to every petition submitted by his friends and subjects.
However, there were other days too...
dark days.
When he awoke all he wanted was to fall back asleep, but he couldn't. Not for the life of him, could he understand why his servants were all in such a bad mood and why none of them were doing a good job. Sunshine bothered him, more than rain! The food was tepid, and the coffee cold. The mere idea of receiving visitors gave him a headache.
On these days, he was frightened by all of his contractual agreements and worried about how to fulfill them. Those were the days when the king raised taxes, annexed lands, and oppressed those who opposed him.
He was afraid of the present, afraid of the future, and haunted by the mistakes of the past. On those days he passed legislation opposed to the wishes and interests of the town. On those days, the word he used most was 'no'.
Aware of the problems caused by his unstable character, the king called a meeting. Every wise man, wizard and advisor was there.
Gentlemen - he said - All of you have witnessed the vicissitudes of my character. You've reaped the rewards of my euphoria and suffered the hardships of my wrath.
But I have suffered far more than any of you, because every day I have to undo what I did the day before, when I was seeing things differently.
What I need, Gentlemen, is for you to work together to find me a cure, be it potion or spell, that will keep me from getting so absurdly optimistic that I'm unconscious of the risks involved, and from getting so ridiculously pessimistic as to oppress and harm those I love.
The motley group accepted his task and for several weeks they worked on the problem. However, neither spell, nor alchemy, nor herb were effective.
So they appeared before the king and admitted their failure.
The king cried that night.
The next morning a strange visitor arrived and asked to see the king. He was a dark and mysterious man wearing a tattered old tunic.
Your majesty - he said, bowing low - In the place that I'm from, they speak of your troubles. I've come here to bring you a cure.
Lowering his gaze, he presented to the king a leather box.
The king was surprised and hopeful. He opened the box and looked inside. There he found a silver ring.
- Thank you - the king said enthusiastically - Does it have some magical power?
- Yes, your majesty - responded the man - but simply wearing it is not enough to make it work.
Every morning, when you wake up, you must read the inscription that the ring bears, and you must remember it every time you notice the ring on your finger.
The king held up the ring and read the inscription out loud:
"Know that this too will pass."
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