The sapling was quiet. The raft was battered by the river's waves. While the great river had calmed considerably over the past seven years, today it was agitated. Enki continued his battle with the river's flow and for a time the two sat in silence. Today the sapling and the river had something in common, they were both unsettled. So, many questions, so many mysteries. A whole new world had been unveiled to the sapling. So much of what Enki had told her seemed to have taken on new meaning now that she knew the truth. However, some things still needed more clarity.
“Father,” she began.
“Yes, child,” Enki grunted as he tussled with the river.
“Why did you slay Abzu, the primeval sea, and why do you punish yourself for your action when you seem to scorn him so much,” she inquired.
The raft again descended into silence. Actually, the world itself seemed to quiet down. The river settled, and the wind held its breath. There was an uneasy stillness as if the raft had flowed into the eye of a storm. It was as if the temperament of the natural world hinged on Enki’s answer to that very question.
Enki took a deep breath as he was finally given a moment of respite. He wiped the brackish mixture of sweat and fresh water from his brow and swept back the silvery tendrils of hair that covered his face revealing a forlorn look in his eyes that were as blue as the water he sailed upon. Plaintively he responded, “If I am not tried by one I shall be tried by the other. How did I come upon such misfortune." Settling himself into a rather lazy but comfortable sitting posture, Enki placed the oar at his side and resumed his griping, "For one so young, you ask very difficult questions. Why must I be cursed with such a curious youth? It seems I have a propensity for bringing myself troubles." Enki sighed dejectedly and leveled an accusatory look at the sapling, but still proceeded to answer her question, "Let me clarify your misunderstanding of me, child. I am no slayer, but a butcher. I am neither a hero nor a villain, although some may proclaim me as such. In cold blood, I murdered my own father, to save my little life. There was no greater purpose, survival sufficed. Abzu may have made choices I disagreed with, but it is certainly not my place to scorn him. If I hold any animosity towards him, it is due to the weight of the inheritance he left me. As for why I am punishing myself for this act... when you grow older you will come to understand that sometimes, even though the action you take may seem just to you, it is not so for everyone. Some pains you inflict or receive will not heal with time and some choices have unintended consequences. I have sinned against the Father, sinned against the Mother, and sinned against the many. All of these sins are great enough to stain a soul for eternity. For this reason, I must seek exile. I must collect my thoughts, accept the wounds I have inflicted upon myself and countless others, and understand the new nature of my soul. I may not be able to undo the devastation I have caused, but I can come to terms with it. I can understand it. I can make peace with it. Of this I am sure. Now quiet your mind and be still, the light is beginning to fade, and I am in dire need of peace.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
After speaking his piece Enki closed his eyes and crossed his legs in meditation, and the world, seemingly satisfied with his answer, resumed its constant song. However, the sapling remained quiet. She still had one final question she felt she needed to ask. A question that had been plaguing her since the moment she had become aware; the day that she was swept up in that turbulent river, and everything changed. The light had not yet slipped entirely beyond the horizon, so she decided to try her luck one last time, “Father, please allow me one more question before nightfall, and I promise I will not hassle you again.”
“Go on, but be quick. You must not disrupt your peace or the peace of others,” Enki resignedly replied.
The sapling was quiet for a moment as if she struggled to put the question into words even though she knew exactly what she wanted to ask. Gathering her courage she finally gave voice to the thought that had been tormenting her for seven long years, “Father, what, no, who am I?”
Once again the sapling had given Enki reason for pause. He wanted to choose his next words carefully, but no answer he came up with seemed worthy enough for this question. No answer he came up with seemed worthy enough for his daughter. Finally, after some quiet deliberation and inner struggle, Enki decided that this was a question he could not overthink. In this instance, It was better to speak quickly from the heart than it was to tread carefully with the mind. So, Enki opened his eyes, focused his gaze, and spoke sincerely, “Did you not answer this question seven years ago when I stole you from Abzu’s embrace? You were so sure of yourself then, so why are you so unsure now? Do you remember what you told me?"
"I told you that I am what I am. I am me," the sapling replied slowly as if she were beginning to understand something.
"That's right! You are what you are. You are you, and that’s enough. Never forget that. No matter what you become. No matter what you are called. No matter what you endure. No matter what decisions you make. No matter how you change. You will always be you and you will always be my daughter. Never forget that. Now, as your father, it is only right that I apologize for not keeping my promises." Enki stood up, stretching his weary limbs before he approached his daughter with a steady gait. He moved slowly but with purpose. As if he were fulfilling a very sacred and important duty, yet he wanted to take his time to enjoy the moment.
"Seven years ago I promised you many things, surety among them, but it seems I have failed you in that regard. I apologize for my incompetence. I'm truly sorry for the pain and doubt that I've caused you. I don't know if this will rectify my mistake, but I ask that you accept it as a token of my apology. And I hope you can find it within yourself to forgive me."
Enki finished his thought and his slow march at the same time. He stood in front of his daughter and marveled at how much she had grown. She was at least a foot taller than him with thick branches full of lush green leaves. Gone was the vibrant green sprout, a tree was what stood before him. How had he missed how much she had changed?
Perhaps, she'll always be that tender little sapling in my eyes, he mused.
Slowly, Enki placed his right hand over his heart as if he were making a solemn vow, and his left hand gingerly upon her crown as if he were touching the most precious treasure in the world. With a soft and dignified voice, he very clearly declared, "From now on, your name is Inanna, the daughter of heaven, my daughter. And no matter how you may change my love for you will remain the same. Never forget that."