The Hunchback's Dream (Written 1/28/09)

High up and far away from this world, the young hunchback watches everything from his tower. No one sees him; no one knows he is there. He is separate from everyone, but immersed in their lives. The Hunchback is there as the maid washes the family's clothes, the butcher throws away his scraps, the girl picks flowers in the meadow, and the father leave his family.

He shares their sadness and offers them consolation, even if they do not know he is there. The Hunchback then delights in their joys, laughing along, and clapping his large hands. It's as if the whole world is putting on a show, just for him. But the Hunchback does not want to be an observer of this spectacle of life. He wants to be a part of it; right in the middle of the story. Why watch everything when you can make it your own.

The little Hunchback wants to wave his hands at his friends and pass out flowers to the baker's daughter, who he thinks is the prettiest girl in the world. He wants her to be his first kiss, and then eventually find true love. In the end, he wants what we all want, but we can get it.

He is condemned to forever observe other's joys. He can only look, never touch or feel. It is a sad existence, and he knows it. If only our Hunchback could come down down from his tower. But he is too scared to place himself up for our judgement. And we are fearful to welcome his disfigured self into our world. So we all keep our places in this life. Perhaps one day the Hunchback will come down from his tower and walk our streets. Perhaps one day someone will go up to his tower and see his world.

(c)