Sandor and the monk

Walking about for no reason, feeling unworried, carefree, Sandor quietly approached the old monk with a certain unnamed caution, as well as the customary reverence. You couldn't know what to expect with strangers. 

"Good evening, father, the air is cooler now, today was so very hot and dry." The monk just nodded back slow and steady, like a long, practiced breath. Sandor sat down beside him on the tree bench, waiting, deciding not to speak again, at least for the moment. 

A certain stillness came between them as if time itself had come to a pause, then the monk raised his head. His strong but soft, high toned voice broke the silent air, "So, you are just passing thru, you will leave tomorrow, bound for home. Yes, cooler tonight."

Sandor was wide-eyed stunned and speechless. Okay, he thought, not looking for any parlor tricks or spiritual directions, however he was puzzled about how his personal plans were guessed so easily. But, before he could think, the old monk continued.

"You have doubts. Everyone does. I've had decades of doubt, comes and goes. Part of the path. Yours began in the fifth month, early but not too early, maybe the 8th or ninth. A Saturday, warm and clear, you arrived days late!" Now Sandor felt himself in full shock. How in this universe could an old monk, a complete stranger, know everything about him so keenly well? Sandor, still doubtful yet perplexed, was determined to discover this monk's compelling game- or, whatever his strange chicanery was all about.

"Okay, old monk, you've got my big attention after all those details, both day and month correct, yes! But, to truly persuade me, tell my year and place. Then, you are a Swami indeed!" The old sage looked directly into Sandor's hazel eyes, "Persuade you? That is never my intent. You'll always believe whatever your fancy directs, and that too will change you over time. Certainly, 1953 was a good year to be born, would you agree, in Barcelona?" 

Sandor jumped to his feet in fear. This was too much! No number games can explain away such accuracy; he felt dizzy, confused, so many questions. Walking away quickly, he still heard the old sage speak behind him, giving yet a final chill. "You were right to be cautious. This realm you see, the certainty you have, also illusion."