Original Photograph from Flickr
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A gap in the fence
A solitary figure meanders along the rudimentary path caused by being leeward of the wall surrounding the House of Masks. It is unusual to see anything more than the occasional creature passing this wall, not even enough creatures pass by to establish a path of any significance. It is unheard of to witness a person here for this place is but a grey gap on any map, digital or ancient. It is not a route from here to there, from anywhere to anywhere.
The solitary woman passes through the wall as if by magic, but it is not magic. There is a gap, it is difficult to say if this was once an entrance - there are no signs of a gate, or if this was just negligent construction by a builder who assumed no one would ever come this way. From inside the gap is hidden by the old stump, behind the stump is an old wooden box on a pole. On the door of the box behind glass to protect it from the elements is a note:
TO PASS THIS POINT YOU:
1. MUST BE COMPLETELY NAKED, AND
2. MUST WEAR THE MASK IN THIS BOX, AND
3. MAY NOT SAY ANYTHING, NOT A SINGLE WORD.
FEEL FREE TO LEAVE YOUR BELONGINGS IN THIS BOX.
The solitary woman slowly struggles through each of the words, reading the note twice to ensure understanding. There are three things. To be naked. To wear a mask. To be silent.
The solitary ascetic woman is used to silence, is used to the solitude of one's own company, of appreciating the beauty in everyday things to be found in nature and in society. And is used to getting unexpected directions. This is the lot of the traveller, the wanderer: each new place brings with it new customs, new traditions, new challenges, but with each new challenge is a certainty that gives the wanderer great strength, the wanderer knows that before long the wanderer will wander away, wander towards a new place, and so begins a new cycle.
The ascetic woman does not care about clothes and masks.
The ascetic woman will simply follow the instructions.
The ascetic woman removes each item of clothing with care, shaking it out and folding it neatly before placing it in the box. A wanderer knows not to be wasteful, each item of clothing may be used by the next person to pass this way, by the next person in need, whomever that person may be. One item, two items, three items, four items, five. Shoes at the bottom, socks tucked into them, dress resting on the top. No undergarments, the wanderer does not always have a choice.
The naked ascetic woman draws on the TORTOISE mask, a tight fit that fixes the head in an unusual pose, the chin higher than normal so the shoulders stoop slightly to compensate.
The naked ascetic woman with the TORTOISE masks walks on, this is the right thing to do.
