Carpe Diem

The Treasure Hunt

By Bittersweet Soulseeker

                           It is not a usual event to see a mob of cheering and yelling professionals gathered in a spacious coliseum. Every well-known professional from the field of politics, medicine, arts, sciences, and even education are assembled to witness the first ever “treasure hunt.” People are so excited to see what will happen. Out of excitement and enthusiasm, some of the spectators cannot help but stand on their bleachers, shouting words like, “go,go,go” and other cheering expressions.

                                In the centre of the coliseum is a maze. In the front door of the maze are six individuals standing nervously on the platform. On their left side is an Adonis-looking young gentleman holding a wireless microphone.

                                “Ladies and gentleman, “he breaks, “I am happy to welcome you all to our first ever treasure hunt. I am honoured to introduce to you our gutsy champions. Dear delegates, let us all welcome Ms. Doctor; Mr. Architect; Ms. Novelist; Mr. Chemist; Mr. World Leader; and Ms. Teacher.”

                                The crowd breaks a deafening applause. The six champions wish one another a good fate and a better luck. The young gentleman holds the microphone firmly and once again speaks,” Here is the mechanics of the hunt. Behind this door is a corridor heading to six different doors. Each player will have to choose their preferred door. Once they have entered their chosen door, they will have encountered various forms of obstacles that will challenge their social skills, physical strength, emotion as well as their intelligence. They have to surpass them and find the way out of the maze. At the end of the maze are their treasures.” He pauses for a while then signals,” Let us now begin.”

                                After hearing the signal, five of the players have entered the maze. Ms. Doctor chooses door 1; Ms. Novelist opts door 2; Mr. Architect selects door 3; Mr. Chemist chooses door 5; and Mr. World Leader prefers door 6. Each of them embattles the different creatures inside the maze. They use their intelligence, emotional and physical strength, and social skills to outwit the challenger. On their minds is their ultimate goal- to reach the end and find their treasure.

                                Ms. Doctor walks and walks. She has nothing in her mind but the determination to see what lies ahead of her. She expects to see a hospital named after her. She is working hard to realize her dream. She knows that this treasure she wants to keep.

                                On the other part of the maze is Ms. Novelist. She possesses an ingenious mind that can think of inspirational thoughts. She has powerful hands that can write a magical world. She continues searching for the right path to take. She knows that at the end of the labyrinth is her treasure- a novel that will inspire lots of lives.

                                On the other side of the labyrinth is Mr. Architect. He is sweating and almost running out of air, however, he remains hopeful to see the treasure he wants to have. He dreams to construct a skyscraper that will outrank any product of architecture. He is clinging to his belief that the treasure at the end will be the satisfaction of his dream.

                                Like the other champions, Mr. Chemist and Mr. World Leader are building castle in the air. The chemist who is the youngest among the competitors has the slowest progress. He is just a juvenile but his heart beats desiringly for his own treasure. His drive for pursuing his journey inside the maze is the picturesque of the medicine that can cure AIDS. On the other hand, the world leader goes on and on. He is showing enthusiasm despite tiredness. He takes as true that the product of his treasure hunt is the recognition he is wishing for. He becomes just and fair in his decisions and he works for the benefits and betterment of the majority more than his. He is really worthy of recognition for his meritorious contributions in social justice and in politics. He has the vision of building a community of servant leaders. This is his treasure he wants to achieve.

                                The five champions are all busy seeking for their own treasure. They focus on what awaits for each one of them, never minding to look back and check who is left behind. They never notice that Ms. Teacher did not enter the maze.

                       Ms. Teacher stands firmly on the platform resisting every “boo’s” and other taunting expression from the crowd. With her is the young gentleman who looks puzzled by her behavior. Out of bepuzzlement, the lad comes close to her and asked her,” I just can’t understand why you have to stay here and watch the others searching for their treasure. Why didn’t you enter the maze?”

                                The teacher looks at him admiringly and responds,” Why do I have to enter the maze and waste my time looking for a treasure if I already have found mine.”

                                The lad is astonished by the teacher’s reply. He stares at her with I-can’t-understand-it look. The teacher smiles and continues,”I am happy enough to watch my five treasures in search of their own. I am satisfied being here, watching them as they find and make their own history, waiting for the young people like you to enter the maze for their own treasure.”

                              The young gentleman smiles with inspiration. Together, they look at the maze and on the people inside it who are still in search of their own treasures.