Saeed's Counter-Argument

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Yusef_Black]Yusef Black
"Yusef! Yusef! Wake up. We must escape."
It was a few minutes later that Yusef finally opened eyes. "What's the matter?"
"We must escape?"
"Now? Is it dawn yet?"
"No."
"Well... how will we leave this pit? And after, won't they wake up?"
"You think too much my friend."
Saeed cupped his hands and brought them to his mouth, thumbs under his lips, he made a sound. Again, a few times.
"Striker... we will need him. My friend, help me empty the metal bowls of all the food."
Saeed grabbed the bowls, "Yusef, bring your hands together and assist me upwards." As high as he could reach, Saeed dug two bowls into one of the walls, about three feet apart, and used them to pull himself up. "Yusef, please hand me the other two bowls." And he placed these two just above his waist. "Reach for these two and pull yourself upwards. We will climb together, Yusef, each of us taking turns, moving the bowls as we go."
It did not take long for them to reach the top. Striker helped them pull the metal mesh off the top, and slowly they walked off the camp. Yusef was bewildered... his heart pounding, his eyes, ears, more aware than he can ever remember. The two of them walked at a rapid pace for what seemed an eternity, nothing around them but open space in almost complete darkness.
They continued to walk, side by side, Saeed half a step ahead, Yusef looking at him, admiring his will, his desire to live life, to be the creator of his life.
"Saeed, won't they find us?"
"We must continue to walk until next night fall. We will then be far from these territories."
"But don't you think it's better to face your troubles head-on?"
"Of course my friend, but on my terms, not anyone else's."
"What about the woman you love? Don't you want to be with her?"
"I do. Life is not worth living without her."
"Well then... aren't we going in the wrong direction?"
"I don't know Yusef. What I do know is that at this moment this is what I must do. I must save your life and mine. I want to live, as I expect you do as well."
"Sure I do. I think."
"What happened to happiness and loving the moment. Are you not happy as we win our freedom?"
"I'm sure you can understand it is difficult to be happy when so lost."
"Well, either way, it is not about happiness. Life is not about loving the moment. You see, happiness is a by-product."
"By-product? Of what? A person chooses, either happy or not happy... it is a choice."
"My apologies to your philosophy. It is obvious to me that one must be deep in self-absorption to be continuously considering his happiness. Happiness is a by-product of living my friend, of doing what must be done."
"That is the same as being present."
"No. There is a difference between consciously considering the presence versus living in the presence. One is blindness, the other is life."
"That is BS. Roughly ninety nine percent of humans are lost and confused and either do not know what they are doing or miserable doing what they must do. You and I are perfect examples. Lost, in a desert mind you, walking aimlessly, no goals, no plans. I rest my case... Choosing to be happy is the only thing that one can do."
"Sorry, what does BS mean?"
"Oh... well, it's bull dung, really referring to the lack of application of your philosophy."
"I see; however, it is not a philosophy. I do what I must."
"Yah, right... you ran away, just like I did. And now, we are running away, again."
"Yes. I did. I should have been stronger. Nevertheless, the argument stands. In regards to escaping from that awful pit, running away is a mistaken interpretation... We are not running away, we are fighting to remain alive."
"BS again. The only thing worth fighting for is love. You should be fighting for your love."
"The timing was not right. We will be together when the time is right."
Saeed and Yusef both pause and remain silent, as if taking a break. Then, just as Yusef was returning to his inner world, Saeed brought him back. "Incidentally, I can see that you are terrified of life, you do not live, you wait, and wait, and, as you say, 'choose to be happy,' as you wait, in that pit. Did you truly want to leave your destiny in the hands of others?"
"I was not leaving my destiny in any person's hands. I have faith that everything will work out."
"CS. That is not life, my friend. You must play with life."
"What is CS?"
"Camel dung, referring to the humble opinion that one must be active in one's life. What matters is what we become from what life presents us. Play along my friend, you will be happy without even noticing."
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Saeeds-Counter-Argument&id=6520093] Saeed's Counter-Argument