As part of our Canvas, I was supposed to speak after services today about why I support Unitarian Universalists of Sterling. Please take the time to "hear" me online instead. I'll keep my part short because I like the story I want to share a lot.
UUS has made such a difference in my life that I have doubled my pledge each year since my first pledge in 2003. Coming into this canvass, my family has reached the point where we can't double it again, but I would if I could. No one is more astonished than I to find that I am a true believer. I don't know that I've ever been in a gathering of so many sincerely good people in my life. But I don't stay because I admire and respect you -- though I do admire and respect you. I stay because this congregation offers an environment of both freedom and safety where anyone who is willing can reclaim their fire, reclaim their life, and reclaim their place in the universe. I am living the most authentic life I've lived for at least 20 years, probably 30 years. I think this church and others like it are essential to our country having a healthy and sane spiritual future.
And now for the story. The one I found online was different from how I'd heard it some 20 years ago. I liked it better as I'd originally heard it, so here is my best-shot retelling.
On the island of Nurabandi lived a man named Janji known throughout the Pacific Islands as the smartest and richest trader. His wife had perhaps even more fame, because he had given her father eight cows as her bride price. In the islands, four or five cows was considered a handsome gift reserved for only the most beautiful and talented young women, so when this savvy trader returned from the island of Kiniwata with an eight cow wife everyone knew that she must be a diamond among pearls. And, indeed, as the years passed, all who met her agreed that she was a woman of unsurpassed beauty, intelligence, and grace.
Many years passed until one day a young man from Kiniwata came to Nurabandi to trade and heard several glowing descriptions of Janji's eight cow wife. When he heard that she had come from his native island, he was intrigued and set out for Janji's house to pay his respects. As he and Janji sat sipping their drinks, Janji's wife came into the room and placed flowers on a table. The young man from Kiniwata was awestruck. This woman had to be at least 40 years old and yet he had never seen her equal. An unspeakable gracefulness flowed from her every move, she had a rich musical voice and a spirited sparkle in her eyes. Her confident inner beauty was unmistakable and intoxicating.
After she left and the young man regained his composure he exclaimed to Janji, "How can it be that this incredible woman is from my island and I've never heard tales of her!"
"Perhaps you have heard of her and do not know it," Janji replied.
"I am certain that I have not," he replied vehemently.
Janji smiled a little and asked, "Do you know an old fisherman named Samka?"
"I do," the young man replied.
"This is his daughter," Janji said matter-of-factly.
"But I have heard that his daughter was rather plain and that her father fretted of ever marrying her at all. That she was skinny and clumsy and ... why, yes, I recall when I was a small boy everyone laughing about a man giving eight cows for her and taking her from the island. But it is not possible that this woman I've seen today is the same Sarita!"
"There's only one Sarita," Janji affirmed, "She is the only woman I have ever loved. From the moment I met her by her father's boat I have desired no other. Perhaps, she doesn't look or act the way you expected."
"She doesn't. I heard she was homely and awkward. They all made fun of you because you let yourself be cheated by Samka. They said you could have had her for one cow."
A slow smile crept across Janji's face.
"That may be so," he replied, his eyes twinkling, "But you see, I wanted her to be an eight cow wife."