– How’s my inner light? My mother is always telling me: you should cultivate your inner light. But I don’t know how. So from time to time I take a flashlight, open my mouth and light up my tonsils, hoping it will go further.
– Never heard of it. What’s the matter with you? Is it a virus?
– It’s not a problem, it’s my wealth! Better still, it’s my sun.
– What the hell are you talking about? You think you’re a planet now? You’re weird today. I swear you’ve swallowed an encyclopedia!
– Let me explain, your inner light is your qualities that make you luminous. They say you can see it.
– Ah! And how do you see it? Hand me your lamp so I can look. Open your mouth! Bigger. I can’t see!
– Are you sure? Careful, my mother’s not a liar. Shouldn’t we look somewhere else?
– In your ears? Let me see. It’s all black inside.
– Why are you laughing? What did you see? Are they dirty?
– Of course not! Stop stressing! When I shine the light in your ears, they turn as red as a pig’s, so I’m laughing!
– You’re insulting me. Careful, that’s close! You’re going too far!
– Don’t get angry! I didn’t find any treasure in your ears, let alone a sun or a spotlight! I don’t even know what we’re looking for, so it’s hard to find.
– And on my back, do you see anything? What do you see?
– Nothing! Take off your sneakers, I’ll shine the light between your toes… you never know where treasure might be hidden.
– There’s nothing there! You can see that’s not the place to look.
– Didn’t your mother give you any other clues?
– Just that it’s inside, but from what… I don’t know!
– I’ve found it! It’s probably in your head or in your heart.
– If that’s what it is, how do you look inside? Mission impossible!
– So, it’s not a real lamp, a real light. It’s just a way of being, and that’s why it’s visible to others.
– Five minutes ago you didn’t even know what I was talking about and now you’re talking to me like a teacher. This is serious!
– You’re messing with me! You’re going to find me, so stop it!
– All right, I’ll calm down!
– If having qualities means being rich. Then you need to cultivate your qualities. Maybe your mother would like you to improve yourself.
– How could you possibly know that? You’re getting on my nerves! What do you know?
– You’re the one who told me. Instead of getting angry, you should be happy that you’ve taught me something! You’re looking for a treasure, you ask for my help and when I find it, you’re not happy. You should know what you want!
– I get it, don’t bother. You know what my mother meant? That I have to put my faults on hold!
– Like getting angry, for example. But watch out, if you improve too much, one day you’ll end up as a lamppost at a crossroads.
– If it’s to light my way and yours… why not?
Sketch written for Graines de Paix by Emilie Salamin-Amar.
2006 Emilie Salamin-Amar of Editions Planète Lilou.
All rights reserved. Commercial reproduction prohibited.