Yeshiva University - Masmid Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 20 text:

Then asked Pilgrim, Where are your credentials, for you pass with such ease? Inadequacy replied, Just as the rest of the world does. Pilgrim persisted, But what have you to show at the gate that you pass through? Inadequacy responded, I do my best to lead a good life. However, I find that I am missing much, and for this, they pity me and let me pass. My needs, then, are, in truth, my credentials. What be these needs of which thou speaketh? asked Pilgrim. Then said Inadequacy, My life is filled with fear and doubt. I have passions bottled within me, yearning to burst forth, but forced to stagnate. I was given a plow and I toiled all the day and parted the earth, but for what purpose? I was given no seed and what grew wild also died, for I was given no water. They placed me on a farm to learn from the master farmers the way that a field should be tendered in order to flourish. But their words proved empty and void of truth. When I sought their counsel, they were as elusive as the morning dew. Then said Hypocrisy to Pilgrim, Nay, heed not his counsel, for his words are those of fools and malcontents. Let us tarry no longer, and be on our way. And I beheld that they contin- ued down the path until they came upon a forest.

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Great darkness and horror fell upon Pilgrim. He began to inquire if there were no other way around the gate, to which Hypocrisy answered. Yes. but there hath not been anyone permitted to tread that path since its foundation. But if you will, we shall make the attempt, for I am truly your friend. Then said Pilgrim. Seemingly, thou art. That evening, they prepared to bed down by the road, but in the darkness they took the path around thetollgate. They followed the road throughout the night with- out much difficulty, for strangely, it bore the tracks of many men and sprouted no undergrowth. As dawn approached, they caught up with the man who had gone thro ugh the to II gate effortlessly. Pilgrim asked. How art thee called? The stranger replied. I am known as Inadequacy.

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They trod onward into the forest all the while feel- ing the lush, moist undergrowth encompass their steps. The land seemed to have a personality of its own in that each footfall produced a different sen- sation. Their euphoric state was further increased as they heard soft strains of music coming from a clearing. First a lute then a lyre then both together. The melody, charming both Pilgrim and Hypocrisy, begantoquickenintempoandintensifiedtoa point of departure from anything they had ever heard. It was as if demons, spirits or other forces of the netherworld had composed and performed it solely forthe pair ' s entertainment.