PILGRIMS PROGRESS - PART 1. John Bunyan

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PILGRIMS PROGRESS - Part 1 (From the city of Destruction to Mount Lion).

The narrator felt very tired after walking for a very long distance so he slept in a den. While he was sleeping he had a dream. In his dream he saw a man in rags. The man is walking away from his house. he was carrying a Bible in his hand and a burden was in his back. He was crying while he was reading the Bible. The narrator felt very bad on seeing him. Further the man in his dreams was hiding from his wife. He came to know that his city will be burnt and they all will be ruined. The only way to escape is to move out of the city.

When he said about this to his neighbors, they doubted his mental state. They forced him to sleep. He had a sleepless night and in morning he felt even more worse. The neighbors tried to divert him by deriding, chiding and neglecting him. He withdrew to his room he spent his time in solitude. even when reading in silence he often had sudden outburst of anger.

A man named, Evangelist guided Christian to escape from the sorrow. Christian was confused and was crying because he could not find the way to escape. He also expressed his fear about death and judgement. Christian thinks that if he dies before he could unload the burden, he will sink into hell and moreover he says that he is not yet ready for the judgement day. Evangelist gave him a letter. The letter contained the message ‘Fly from the wrath’. Christian was confused about where and how to fly.

Evangelist showed the way to the wicket gate. But Christian could not see the wicket gate. He was only able to see a light in the distance. Evangelist asked Christian to follow the light and at the end of the light he can see a gate and he said Christian to knock at the gate to know the answer.

Christian started running from the city of Destruction. His wife and children tried to stop him. But Christian continued running by closing his ears. His neighbors mocked at him. They too called them back. 2 of his neighbours was resolved to fetch him back. One is Obstinate(stubbornness) the other one is Pliable(flexible). Both of them almost over took Christian and they asked him to come back.

 Christian refused saying that staying in the city of Destruction is equal to staying in hell. Christian called them to come along with him. Obstinate refused to leave his friends and comfort. Christian said that he can have greater enjoyment than what he is dreaming about. He said that the real inheritance is in heaven. Pliable is tempted to go with Christian. Obstinate tried to stop him. Christian offers Bible as a proof for what he said. Pliable goes along with Christian and Obstinate returned to the city.

If Obstinate knows the truth he would have followed them. Pliable asked to Christian about the journey. Christians starts reading the Bible. It talked about the heaven where the inhabitants enjoy a everlasting life, crown of Glory and shining garments. Neither crying. nor sorrow can be found there. All the Angels are happily roaming there. 10,000 men like them were walking along with God and Virgins Martyrs. It is mentioned in the Bible that anyone can reach the heaven, willingness alone is the requirement.

 Christian could not walk fast because of the burden that he was carrying in his back. Suddenly both Christian and Pliable fell into the slough named Despond. Christian started to sink fast, because of the burden. Pliable got angry. He is not ready to encounter these things. He came out of the slough and went away. Christian tried his best to escape but he could not. Help who passed that way, helped Christian to come out of the slough. Help asked Christian, why he didn’t notice the slough and Christian said that he failed to notice the slough out of fear. Christian requested Help to mend the land. Help said that they were unable to mend the slough because it is made up of fears and doubts. Though Christ employed 16,000 employees and 20,000 cart loads, the slough could not be mended. However with the help of law giver, Christ constructed steps across the slough, but that too got immersed in the doubts.

Pliable returned home. He received mixed comments from neighbors. Few made fun of him and others scolded him for returning half way. Christian walked alone. He met Mr. Worldly Wiseman, who belonged to the town of carnal policy. Mr. Worldly Wiseman had a conversation with Christian. He gave an idea to lessen Christian’s burden. Mr. Worldly Wiseman said that the way showed by Evangelist was very dangerous. Since Christian already encountered the Slough of Despond, he believed in the words of Mr. Worldly Wiseman. Christian was so eager to unload his burden, which came to him after his realisation of sins. 
Mr. Worldly Wiseman showed a easy way to unload the burden. He directed Christian towards the city of Morality. He asked Christian to meet Legality, who is well versed in unloading the burdens. Mr. Worldly Wiseman said that, Civility, son of Legality is also good at it. The cost of living is very low in the city of Morality and Mr. Worldly Wiseman advised Christian to bring his wife and children to this city. Christian accepted this offer. Mr. Worldly Wiseman asked Christian to go beyond the hills.

Christian took the path which Mr. Worldly Wiseman showed him. The hill was so steep and because of that Christian became so tired. The burden seem to be over-loaded. Fire starts peeping out of the hills and the mountain seem to fall in his head. Christian felt very frightened. He scolded himself for hearing to Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s words. Evangelist came and questioned Christian about the change of his path. Christian felt ashamed to tell him about Mr. Worldly Wiseman and how he had fallen prey to his tempting words. But still he gave a complete report to Evangelist and Evangelist scolded him on hearing it. Christian asked for forgiveness. Evangelist warned Christian that Mr. Worldly Wiseman was full of carnal tales.

Evangelist said that one should strive to enter heaven and there is no easy way to reach it. He also said to prefer cross over treasure. He informed Christian that Legality can never set him free, because he is just a cheater. Christian cries badly and he cursed himself for believing in Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s words. Christian asked for forgiveness and he also asked whether God will forgive him. Evangelist assured that the almighty is good to all and for sure he will forgive, Christian. Evangelist asked Christian to move in the straight path without taking any diversions. Though the path may seem difficult, it is the only way to attain God.

Christian walked fast in the right path showed by Evangelist. He reached a gate. He knocked several times. Good Will who was at the gate asked Christian to get inside after asking about him. When Christian was about to enter, an arrow came swiftly towards him and it was Good Will who saved him from the arrow. From Good Will, Christian came to know that the arrow was aimed by Beelzebub.
Good Will showed the straight path ahead and asked Christian to avoid wide and wicked turnings in the path. He said that the burden will fall automatically at the place of Deliverance. Good Will guided Christian to visit the Interpreter’s house
AT THE INTERPRETER’S HOUSE:
(Will be continued)

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