In babyhood he was whispered to of paradise

A simple, smiling child his instinct was to bring joy to others and bask in joy’s reflection.

Before he passed infancy it was understood his mind was not whole. Since his mind was his own reality this never concerned or diminished his love of being part of the world.

The clerics took him, schooled him and worked with him on dedication and obedience. His pleasure in the joy of others made him an excellent pupil.

Even the vest makers came to know him joked with him and enjoyed his gentle and loving commitment. The makers pondered problems of projectiles, blast radius and propellants. He brought a peaceful calm to their labors.

They strapped their finest vest on him, covered him with copious blessings and sent him through a weak checkpoint dressed as a female hidden in a group of females.

The women walked with him to the marketplace and turned him loose toward its center where, smiling at all around him, he pushed the button hidden in his clothes.

Nothing happened.

He pushed the button again. Nothing.

His lessons taught all things are the will of someone higher.

He was also taught to be modest so went into an alley, behind a dumpster. He took off the women’s clothing and the vest and threw them away because he was not really a woman. He walked back into the market, smiling at all around him.

A kindly woman walking with a quiet man smiled in return and said, “Are you lost little boy?” He smiled at her and she felt his warmth. She said, “Let’s see if we can find where you belong.”

The boy sat in a window looking out on a patio with a view of the sea. He was happy, as always. The woman sat near him, in a chair, reading. The boy did not require much; a gentle touch, a smile, an occasional encouraging word. Both he and the woman were whispered to of paradise.

Somewhere a god, unknown in any world of men, laughed.