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was used to holding back his tears, now he wept like a helpless babe.
Tears welled up from a heart aching with the pain of the void and the dryness of a lost soul, and he cried out in desperation: "Come and bring solace to my heart or I die!"
At that instant he heard a familiar voice. Yet it sounded different and strange to him. "My precious boy," it said soothingly. "What ails thee, my child? Just open thine eyes and see who is here." The voice of his mother rang in his ears as if from a far-off land which he had left behind.
He opened his eyes. He saw the room and the people, but not as he had seen them before. He no longer felt that he belonged to this place.
He had a moment of clarity and murmured some words silently to himself. These good people who hue me are not able to lift me from my pain. lama sojourner here and I must never forget it.
"Drink this, my dear. Cheer up! Now things will be better," a friend said as she lifted a glass of fruit juice to his lips. He sipped it slowly. No sooner did he finish it than he fainted away again.
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Glimpse of Freedom
The final stage of the trial began and agonizing tests resumed. This time Rup was still thirsty and envisioned himself holding a bejewelled cup in his hand. Beside him stood a tall jar filled with nectar. He dipped his cup deep into it. As soon as he brought it to his parched lips he found it empty. Again and again he lowered hi? cup. Always it was empty when he attempted to drink.
Then he heard the electrifying words, "Leave all for me!" He threw the cup away in the dawn of a new awareness. Soul alone can quench the thirst of soul. Herein lies the immortal nectar, the living fount of life. Soul alone endures
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