"Today is the last leg of our journey, nuns," said APK when dawn broke. Most of us didn't have a good night's sleep because of the orangey red eyes we saw but the thought of going home rejuvenated us. We left our "camp" at 6 a.m. and headed for the river's estuary which would take about an hour's walk.
We reached the estuary in good time and were surprised to see a big crowd waiting for us there! "OMG, how did they know we would be here today?" murmured APK. The crowd started cheering and some gave us flowers and bottles of water.
When the hullabaloo had died down, APK quietly addressed them and thanked them for their support. Some of them had actually come from upstream so that they could meet us again. APK then gave a short talk on peace and compassion and this was followed by prayers, ending in blessings for everyone.
One of the nurses tried to call Head Nun to tell her we were on our way home, but she could not get through. There was no connection - we were too far deep in the forest. "Oh dear, I hope she won't panic if she doesn't hear from us," I thought to myself.
So after bidding the crowd a quick farewell, we trudged back the way we came three days ago. We would not be making any overnight stops but a straight journey home and if all went well, we would be able to reach the temple in the evening as planned.
It was about 6.30 p.m. when we finally reached our village. A crowd was already there waiting for us and they cheered and clapped and followed us back to the temple. Head Nun and the other nuns were already waiting anxiously for us.
"They're back, they're back," shouted the nuns at the temple gate when they saw us coming. With tears streaming down her eyes, Head Nun rushed towards us and hugged each one of us. Everyone was talking at the same time and laughing and crying. Oh, what a wonderful homecoming! Then the nuns whisked us to the kitchen for some hot soup which we devoured hungrily. The two nurses told Head Nun that it had been an incredible journey, one which they would remember all their lives
Head Nun gave us two days off to recover and the nuns thankfully escaped to their rooms to rest. My little basket was also ready for me with a new cushion sewn by one of the old nuns. It was so good to rest my weary body on it and go to sleep.
And so ended Day 3 of our Walk for Peace.
A few days later and after all the stories had been told, Head Nun gave us a shocking piece of news.
"Nuns, remember you said you spent a night at a place called "Bodhi Hut"? Well, I happened to mention it to a friend from the village the other day and she told me the place was burnt down two years ago - and the owner died in the fire."
"What?" we gasped. Come to think of it, we had wanted to say a quick "hello" to Ananda on our way back, but we couldn't find the place, it seemed to have vanished completely!
Head Nun then said, "I wonder whether you nuns realise that the Lord Buddha was protecting you all the way? When you needed shelter, He gave it to you, and where do you think the dogs came from, then there's the miracle of the receding water, not forgetting the so-called "spirits of the forest"...."
"Head Nun," said APK. "You couldn't be more right and we are extremely grateful to the Buddha that we all returned safe and sound. I only hope we have accomplished what we set out to do and given the people we met the gifts of peace, love and hope."
Head Nun smiled approvingly. She had heard from the other nuns how well APK had conducted her talks during our peace journey and she was pleased that she (APK) had progressed so well.
"APK, what are you thinking about?
"Vege Cat, I was just thinking that one day, I would like to walk round the world spreading the Lord Buddha's teachings ..."
I smiled but made no comment. If APK makes up her mind to do something, she will certainly do it. We only have to wait and see.
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