The Apprentice had for years been searching for the great author. Now, the young writer had finally found him and the Great one had read his articles.
The Apprentice: The Great one, for you welcoming me I am eternally grateful.
The Great one: Young one. I have read your articles.
The Apprentice: Please tell me; do you see potential? Will I be like you?
The Great one: All I see is errors and repetitions…
The Apprentice: Let me revise my work. I still have a lot to learn. More than anything I want to be like you.
The Great one: At least you have coherence and melody in your writings.
The Apprentice: What does that mean? Will I be like you?
The Great one: You have already asked that. Why this zealous need for repetition? You do not hold speeches, you write poetry.
The Apprentice: I repeat my self since I have not been given an answer. However, I am no longer sure that I even want to hear it.
The Great one: Come to my castle, dressed in a simple tunic. Nothing else you can bring! With me, you shall stay for three years. When the time has passed you will be complete.
The Apprentice: But you Great one. I have a life where I live. Relationships and belongings. I can not leave everything behind.
The Great one: Then you are not ready.
The Apprentice: Is there no other way?
The Great one: No, you have to let go of everything and come to me with a peace of mind.
The Apprentice was silent for a long moment before responding. Just as he, silently, formulated the answer for himself.
The Apprentice: Everything that makes me happy is holding me back.
The Great one: You start to understand.
The Apprentice: You have with your words made me lucid. Now, I know where we shall meet.
The Great one: I have always known.
The Apprentice left behind a great loss. However, it did not last long. After a year everyone had forgotten him, and the young man had forgotten them.
Marcus Lagercrantz
