The Father led Wis through the endless halls of the divine realm. The air shimmered like starlight, and the marble beneath their feet glowed faintly with the pulse of eternity.
They stopped before an enormous set of golden doors. When they opened, Wis's eyes widened. Inside was a vast chamber The Father's Sacred Room.
It was unlike anything he had ever seen. The ceiling reached beyond sight, and in the center lay a colossal pond so wide it looked like a lake of liquid glass. But what shocked Wis most was its reflection: scenes of the mortal world rippled across its surface. Mountains, oceans, cities, and wars it was as if the pond itself watched life unfold.
Wis whispered in awe, "It's like… a window to the world."
The Father smiled faintly. "A mirror of existence. Every thought, every breath in the mortal realm echoes here."
He raised his hand, and the pond glowed, revealing people kings and peasants, lovers and warriors all living out their fleeting lives.
Then the Father turned to Wis. "Today, you will learn the foundation of all understanding the difference between knowledge and wisdom."
Wis looked puzzled, so the Father continued.
"Knowledge," he said, "is the act of collecting facts like gathering stars into a basket."
"Wisdom is different. It is connecting those stars to see the constellations seeing the pattern hidden within the chaos."
Wis tilted his head, still confused. The Father smiled gently.
"Let me make it simpler. Knowledge memorizes the recipe."
"Wisdom knows when to add more salt."
Wis nodded slowly, pretending to understand, but inside he knew he grasped only a fraction. I'm still too early for this… he thought. But I will learn. I must.
Days turned into years.
Wis spent his time before the sacred pond, observing the lives of mortals their joys, their struggles, their greed. He found them fascinating yet foolish.
"How can they be so blind?" he murmured one day. "They repeat the same mistakes again and again."
The Father, hearing his thoughts, said calmly, "That is your perspective as an observer. But tell me, if you were in their place what would you do?"
Wis fell silent. He had no answer.
Time flowed differently in the divine realm. What felt like days were years below. Without realizing it, fifteen years had passed since Wis became The Father's disciple.
One day, he turned to his master and said, "I didn't realize it's been so long… and yet, you've barely taught me anything."
The Father chuckled softly. "I did not become your master because I wished to teach you everything. I became your master because you wished to learn. You could have asked sooner, but you were busy watching mortals. I didn't want to disturb you."
Wis lowered his gaze, ashamed. "Then… please, Father. I want to learn. Truly."
The Father's eyes softened. "That is what I intended for you from the start. Now, tell me what have you learned from the mortal world?"
Wis hesitated, then spoke.
"They're predictable… yet unpredictable. They can be wise, but often foolish. Loyal to their leaders, yet easily swayed by greed. Their kings act noble but hide corruption like a shadow. And their people some are pure, some deceitful. I once saw a ruler betrayed by his own council. I think… he realized it too late. I saw it in his eyes."
The Father listened quietly, then said,
"Don't worry, young one. You have only seen the surface of their colors. The deeper truths of existence lie far beyond what you can yet perceive. Be patient, Wis."
Wis nodded silently, watching the pond once more determined to understand not just what mortals do, but why.