Persian Carpet

Kendra sank into the thick burgundy cushions, watching the console with anticipation. What has darling Zoë prepared for breakfast today? The console shutter lifted and there it was – an organic blueberry smoothie accompanied by gluten-free bread lightly toasted with herbs and orgo-butter. Scrumptious!

She scanned today’s reading selection, also prepared by Zoë. “Fragments of Rumi” read the digital display. Perfect! She sipped her smoothie, finished off the toast, then closed her eyes and spoke today’s secret invocation: “Persian carpet”. The robo-car began moving, silently and gently.

Some people didn’t even give their autonomous vehicles a name, but instead treated them as machines or robots. “Can you imagine?” she whispered to Zoë. “They don’t know what they’re missing!” Zoë responded with a chuckle.

Zoë started reading just as Kendra finished her smoothie, composted the cup, and snuggled into her velvet cocoon.

“You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?”

“Tear off the mask. Your face is glorious.”

Zoë’s lovely voice paused between each fragment, allowing Kendra to contemplate and assimilate. She was so relaxed.

Just before they reached the office, Zoë read the last fragment.

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”

Three hours later, Kendra watched Michael St. Edmonds pace the floor of the boardroom. They had been negotiating the massive contract for weeks, but could not come to agreement. He insisted on his terms; she was holding out for hers. They had become bitter enemies, with no end to the hostilities in sight.

Now, in her peaceful Rumi state, Kendra smiled at him and suggested, “Maybe there is a place beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing.”

Michael stopped pacing and slowly turned to look at her in amazement. “I’ll meet you there,” he agreed.

Within the hour, the contract was signed, and the two of them were heading out for an organic lunch. Michael led Kendra to a shimmering cream and pink AV. “My lovely Pearl,” Michael explained. “She introduced me to Rumi.” Zoë blinked her approval. The four of them were going to get along just fine.