This is for you, Aaron Luke. #1

 Treasure

By Aaron Luke

            As a young child, I often wondered; what is the ultimate treasure? I dreamed of sailing the seven seas, pillaging villages and collecting loot. Alas, the life of a pirate is not practical in the context of my time. As I grew older, I realized that everyone had their “ultimate treasure.” A treasure need not be limited to the material world. In fact, wherever I went, people derived their concept of the ultimate treasure from the abstract. Everyone had their purpose in life, the reason they bothered to get out of bed each morning. Everyone had their “treasure”, be it abstract or material in nature. It was a trove of purpose, a well cherished concept or item that gave them reason to do anything.

            Naturally, I wondered, what is my ultimate treasure? I soon realized that pirates and dinosaurs were not something I could treasure for long. There must be something more.

            First I turned to the Almighty. God was my treasure, and faith was the key to the chest. I lived a relatively pious life, secure with the knowledge that the ultimate treasure was within my grasp.  That was not sufficient! This was a treasure to be shared. Soon, each of my friends received the religious book of my choice. After all, should I not share this great discovery of loot with others? Nevertheless, doubts sprung in my mind. I could not reconcile the fact that others have a difference conceptualization of what the treasure could be. Why do they reject my attempts to share the treasure with them? Perhaps my treasure is not the ultimate treasure after all. With much scorn and frustration, I cast away my treasure. Though I face ostracization and contempt, my conception of treasure lies elsewhere.

            Friends and family! The answer had never been cleared. The treasure was within my grasp all this time. After all, what greater treasure could I find, than the love and support I receive from them? They gave me purpose. I live, for they continue to live. Their smiles and encouragement gave me reason to think that life was not such a drab after all. Every day, I showered them with appreciation and love; in return, I got the same. Nevertheless, doubts sprung in my mind. Death entered the picture, and soon I was taught a harsh lesson by life itself. How could I cherish a perishable treasure? Love and appreciation I can give to them, but to herald my friends and family as the ultimate treasure? With much scorn and frustration, I cast away my treasure. Though I face isolation and despair, my conception of treasure lies elsewhere.

            I looked around and I saw smiles on the faces of the rich. They splashed their wealth around and their every desire came true. Fame and fortune became my next target. Emotions may fade, but pure hedonism is worth it. I did as society instructed. I worked hard and amassed a fortune. My every wish was merely a buck away. I was living the “dream.” Nevertheless, doubts sprung in my mind. I was jarred by the idea of emptiness. Where shall my wealth go when I perish? How could I value a treasure that would abandon me? With much scorn and frustration, I cast away my treasure. Though I face destitution and poverty, my conception of treasure lies elsewhere.

            Knowledge became my next conquest. If I were to perish, at least I shall perish with knowledge. Knowledge will never forsake me. It is a treasure that shall forever be mine. I studied and I researched. The universe was a playground to be discovered. Magic was a sham, science was truth. I searched for beauty in the world around me, and I found it everywhere –from the largest of galaxies to the most minute of particles. Nevertheless, doubts sprung in my mind. The more I knew, the less I knew. I realized the treasure was never within my reach, and it would never be. With much scorn and frustration, I cast my treasure away. Though I face foolishness and ignorance, my conception of treasure lies elsewhere.

            As an old man on his deathbed, I often wondered; what is the ultimate treasure? I forsake the spiritual, the emotional, the physical and the intellectual. My journey was fruitless and pointless, or so I thought. Alas, I remembered how enjoyable my journey was. Every morning, I had reason to get out of bed. I cherished each day as I sought out my ultimate treasure. Then, an epiphany struck me; I was blind not to notice it earlier.

            Perhaps the ultimate treasure is life itself. 

--Written in 2013 during your SPM trial exams. You mispelt a tonne of words, and your handwriting was crap. You lost the paper, but it's probably somewhere in your room if you search hard enough.