The Parable of the Dumbass: A Short Story in Two Parts

By Antonio Scotto Di Carlo

I looked for Heaven and I found Hell

He had trouble fitting in. Society figured something was wrong with him and made him an outcast.

They just don’t get that I was born for greatness!

He had a dream, but kept it to himself for fear of further rejection.
When he learns there is a land called Eldorado where dreams become reality, the desire to find it consumes him. The road seems deceptively easy to walk, but will require courage, tenacity, and faith to reach that magical place. His heart tells him that he will succeed and he listens, starting out on an epic journey.

My dream will at last come true!

But what if dreams are only incomprehensible glimpses into our former lives?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Antonio Scotto Di Carlo
• Release date: Nov 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9788835335221

Book preview

The Parable of the Dumbass

Part One

1. Eldorado

Eldorado is an enchanted place. A power that turns dreams into reality suffuses its air. Put your feet on that fairy land and you will need naught but to breathe, sleep and dream. There will be no awakening from that dream. It will become your reality.

And what if I have a nightmare?

Eldorado is the land of joy. It doesn’t inspire nefarious dreams.

What is it, kind of a hypnosis throwing you into a fictional reality?

No illusions of the mind. No virtuality. Simply dream the future that you would like for yourself and fashion your new world out of it.

Wait. Are you telling me that all that it takes to become what I’ve always dreamed to be is to get there and fall asleep?

Nothing more is required.

But how’s that possible?

Everyone has a dream: is it that important where you meet it? What matters is that the dream becomes your dimension. The magic of Eldorado allows it.

It seems too easy, though. There must be a catch, otherwise everyone would do that.

Eldorado is faraway. The path is flat and smooth, but long. Long beyond words. Solid self-confidence and unshakable faith must be the sustenance of the traveler who aspires to Eldorado. Many begin the journey, but the long way weakens the legs, demolishes the spirit, mocks the will and betrays the mind. Tell me, do you believe in yourself?

Sure.

Who would ever answer the contrary …

But I do believe in myself! I’ve always felt I was born for a great achievement.

That’s better. And do you have faith in something greater than Man?

I don’t know. Once, yes. But I was let down. So I stopped, but there are such incredible coincidences at times that, I gotta tell you, I can hardly call ’em 'coincidences' …

If you lack faith, I don’t recommend the journey.

What do you mean by 'faith'? Is it a religious thing?

No. It is a matter of Values. Each has his own, as well as a means of defining. God, Fate, Fortune, Sixth Sense are some of the names that people use to indicate that which their reason cannot explain. I use ‘The Supreme’.

Wait, you’ve lost me.

Have you ever heard that inner voice that silently speaks to your conscience and expresses the inspirations of your instincts?

Is that what you call faith?

No. That’s The Supreme’s voice. Faith is your choice to follow or ignore it. What do you choose?

I would like to follow it, but …

But the lack of evidence of its authority has swallowed you up in the vortex of disappointment.

Yeah, that’s it.

I understand. But tell me … With proof of its authority, where would be the credit for the choice? The decision wouldn’t be hard at all. Anyone could do it. And it is the difficulty of the choice that purifies the soul and makes you worthy. Or do you consider impure souls equally worthy of seeing their dreams realized?

Well, no.

Eldorado is an island. But a void, not water, protects it from the Unworthy Ones. The turquoise sky above each day, the shining sun over the immense orchard, a gentle breeze from the East and the fragrance of flowers in the air will cheer the fearless Daredevil during his long journey, until the fabulous scenery is abruptly interrupted by a ravine. He will see Eldorado from there, but he can only admire it: just half a league from his eyes, and yet it is inaccessible. A void still separates them. There is no bridge, nor wood for building one.

And how do you cross this void?

Through faith. That is why it’s essential.

Yes, but practically?

A relentless and benevolent wind will blow, or an eagle will snatch you up in its claws and set you down there, or blades of grass will stretch across into thick vines to take root in the soil of Eldorado, or the ravine will fill with water so that the brave swimmer may cross it … Infinite are the ways for those who have faith. You are a lost soul, but a backbone of faith pulsates strongly within you.

How can you say that?

The words uttered by you, the harbinger of a great achievement. They were whispered to you by the voice, and The Supreme only speaks to those hearts which are supported by an unshakable faith.

Well, when can I leave?

2. The Journey

Thousands of hopeful youths lined up on the border between the Forest of Reality and the endless Meadow. Many had chosen to remain in the Forest, but those who harbored a dream had crossed the border, ready for the grueling march to Eldorado.

Eagerness, trust, passion, and faith supported the candidates as they prepared for the long journey.

The first day passed. They all remained, more determined than ever.

The first month passed. Some had already returned home.

The doubts about the existence of Eldorado slithered in through the back of the marchers’ minds. Putting them into words would be an unforgivable cowardice; and yet, though their lips harnessed the truth, their eyes could not lie.

The second month passed. The sense of disillusionment had crept into their voices, too. The sun warmed, the breeze refreshed, sleep regenerated the marchers for the next day; yet many chose to quit. Their exhaustion was mental. Even if their muscles held up despite fatigue, their souls weakened at