The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston. Tim Ferguson
exploded in what is known as the Big Bang. The universe expanded to about the size of a grapefruit then split into several identical universes. Just as human twins grow up genetically identical, yet different as they mature, so did these universes. For our story we simply consider two: our universe and the universe of a young man named Mattpaul.
Mattpaul’s world evolved simultaneously as the world of Earth evolved. In some ways we on Earth are more advanced. In other ways Mattpaul’s world is. One thing is clear. Mattpaul’s world of Caperston has been the more orderly world until recently when new emerging ideas began to challenge age-old traditions.
It is important to understand that Mattpaul’s planet is much smaller than Earth and revolves around a smaller star. It is closer to that star and makes many more revolutions over a given period in time than Earth does. For example, during one earth year, Mattpaul’s planet makes 50 revolutions. Thus, twenty- five Earth years would equal 1,250 revolutions around Mattpaul’s star. With such high numbers of “years” passing, Mattpaul’s world measures time by the generations that pass not by the actual years.
One last introductory fact must be mentioned. Contact from Mattpaul is due to their development of Strings technology, a recent innovation in his world of Caperston. In Appendix One the science behind Mattpaul’s ability to communicate is discussed.
In Appendix Two there are three approaches youth leaders can adopt if they choose to use the book as a study guide. Appendix Two also contains twelve lessons that can be used in discussing the story. It is recommended that youth leaders review these lessons prior to having youth read the story.
For now, let us begin our journey to Caperston through the eyes of a faraway friend from a different universe. Let’s hear Mattpaul tell his story.
2
Getting to Know You
Date . . . April 28th
Hello,
Are you there? I am reading your electronic news. You mentioned a book, the Bible, but I am not familiar with it. Is it a holy book? You also talk about Christian youth and the man Jesus. I would like to learn more. I am not sure how I found your news report. It seems to have been by accident. I put some numbers into my compol, and your report appeared.
My name is Mattpaul. I live with my parents a short distance from Lake Gael in Caperston. I am in my last year of school and I look forward to completing school and beginning work. My father is an assistant to our Ruler and has promised me an important job when I graduate.
We live comfortably and never have worries. We are called the Valley People. There are some rich Valley People, who are fortunate and live on the shore of Lake Gael. It is pleasant to visit their homes. Even though my father is second in command, we live more modestly. That is fine with me.
There are also Mountain People, who have much less than we do. We rarely see them except for our annual kickuml contest. They live on the other side of Lake Gael in older residences. They appear to be friendly, and I want to get to know them better.
I went with my teacher and class to visit the Mountain Village and discovered that their world is different than ours. They live higher in the mountain where it is colder, and they wear more modest clothing. They grow their hair longer to protect them from the cold. Our teacher said that Mountain People have lived on the mountain for many generations. No one, not even our books, talks of a time when the Mountain People came down from the mountain except to fish in Lake Gael. After fishing they immediately return to their villages. Once every ten days or so, one family member comes into town to gather supplies. Sometimes they pay with denorites and other times they barter with fish.
The occasion for our visit was a kickuml game against the Mountain Youth. We thought we were good but a little while into the game a ball was kicked high in the air. Before it landed a Mountain Youth jumped up and struck it with his head. Our goal protector was so surprised that he was slow defending the hit and it became the first goal of the game.
We never saw someone use his head in this game and asked our coach. He checked the rules, which said that we cannot use our hands, but nothing is listed about using our heads. So, the game continued, and the Mountain Youth were particularly good at using their legs and their heads. We lost. After the match, a Mountain Youth named Marcus offered to teach us how to “head” the ball. We listened and practiced this skill with him. We will learn it and maybe do better the next time we play.
My friend Huchfee and I spoke with Marcus after practicing with him. He told us of a man who has visited the village. I do not know how to spell his name, but it was pronounced: Chi-hay-su. This man talked about another ruler who did not live with us but was everywhere. Marcus said that Chihaysu was going to speak at a meeting place on Lake Gael in a few days. Huchfee said we should leave school to hear him speak. I do not know.
I could get in much trouble, but I would like to go. Perhaps I talk too much. I hope someone gets this message. If you do, write, and ask questions.
Mattpaul
Date . . . April 30th
Dear Mattpaul,
You did not leave a contact e-mail so all I can do is add some thoughts to your correspondence. Your letter and my response will be recorded on a webpage, which, when you visit again, you will be able to read.
I am not sure where you live. You give an address of Caperston. Is that a country? Is it a town? You also mention a compol. What is it? I would like to learn more about the differences amongst your people. Thank you for telling me of the kickuml game. It is very much like a game we call soccer. Lastly, the Bible is a holy book. Have you ever read one? I would like to get to know you better.
Tim
Date . . . May 2nd
I am glad someone read my message. Lake Gael in Caperston is my address as our world is small. Caperston is my country. You asked about my compol, but first let me tell you my story. Huchfee and I were worried that we would be caught when we went to hear Chihaysu, but we were not. On the day he was visiting, our teacher cancelled class and gave us a project to complete. We left but did not do the project. We figured we could do it later.
We left school and walked around Lake Gael to go where Chihaysu was speaking. He was sitting on a piece of wood beside the lake. There was a group of about fifteen individuals, all adults except for Huchfee and me.
Chihaysu talked about someone named God, who is like our Ruler. He said our Ruler oversees our world, but this God rules over our feelings inside. He also said that our Ruler treats the Mountain People differently than he treats us, the Valley People. Chihaysu claims God treats everyone, Mountain People and Valley People, equally because our feelings and our dreams are the same.
Mattpaul
This idea excited me. When I talked to Marcus last week, I felt like him because we had many of the same hopes and dreams. In addition, we are the same age.
I also really liked when Chihaysu taught us how to talk to this God. It is something he calls praying. This was an unknown activity to me. Chihaysu insisted that everyone be quiet and, at first, I was uncomfortable with the silence. Then I began to feel peaceful. Since Huchfee and I were afraid of being discovered, we could not stay long so we quietly left. We then went and completed our project. Huchfee went home but I sat down and looked across the lake. It was a nice day. Then I tried the praying activity. I was not sure that I was doing it right, but I am glad that I tried.
Is praying an activity which you do?
You