I am Daniel, the father of Mark and Kai, husband of Julia. Last night I had a car accident in the snow. It was a really bad accident, so bad I died.
So how can I be here, writing this to you?
Maybe I'm insane, maybe I'm imagining it all, but it seems so real to me......
While I was dying I saw a gigantic Snow Leopard. I could see it in the headlights of my wrecked car, staring at me. Then I could see it in my mind, as I was dying. I could hear it too - the creature spoke to me.
"Daniel, you were killed in the accident. You are dead." It's voice seemed to come from everywhere.
"But you do not have to die, you have a choice. I can give you back your life but in return you must agree to do my bidding - WHATEVER it is that I ask you to do. Do you understand?"
".... I have a mission Daniel, and I need your help, your human help. If you accept you must agree never to tell anyone in your family what you have agreed to - they must never ever know. Do you accept?"
I didn't want to die but I didn't want to agree either ....... but the will to live is so strong life will assert itself over anything else so..... so ........ something in me agreed... I struck the bargain with the creature, and I am here as a result.
I asked you if I should break the promise to the Snow Leopard and tell my family what happened. I really wanted to tell them but I was so worried. If I tell them, what will happen then? What will the Leopard do to me? And what might it do to my family, without me to support them, if the Leopard makes me die?
I must decide for myself after all. Half of you said "tell my family" and half said "keep the promise" to the Snow Leopard. So it's all up to me.......... So.... so.... no... I won't tell the family. I will be loyal to the Snow Leopard. I believe the creature is basically good. Why should it harm me? If it meant me harm wouldn't I be dead now?
While I'm alive maybe I can find a way to look after the family.... maybe I can find an answer....
But what's this?
It's here. I feel it. The Snow Leopard's here.
What does it want?
I feel strange, dizzy, falling ....
"Daniel. It's time for you to do the First Task."
"What? Where....? Oh, I see you .... I can see your eyes... huge...."
"I want you to go to London. To the Airport. There's a parcel for you in the Luggage Office. There are tickets and money inside - for your trip."
"What trip?"
"No questions. You must obey me, we agreed. You need to trust me. I want your faith."
"A trip? But what about my family? What can I tell them?"
"Just say you have to go away on business."
"But that's a lie."
"Is it?"
"But for how long?"
"I said no questions...."
"Wait!"
The eyes are fading ... it's gone.... already...
-----
What can I do???? Why do I need to go on a trip? What will my family think??? If I tell them anything at all I might die... and I already decided to obey the Leopard.
Am I doing the right thing??? Is whatever the Leopard wants worth my not telling the truth to my family?? Is it better to live with some hope, or better to live truthfully and face the consequences?
This is a terrible dilemma. I need help!! Please help me decide what to do.....
Do you agree with my proposal? If I do what the Snow Leopard says I will have to deceive my family - but maybe it will work our for the best if I do?
It is proposed that I will live in hope and do what the Snow Leopard says