Prayers to Ti Gong

The Fire Ritual

He rushed back home in the middle of the week, despite classes, despite other commitments and despite how tired he was. Being away from home caused him to miss the event once before-- he wasn't going to miss it again. It was, of course, one of the greatest honours for him to be tasked with the task he was supposed to do.

The fire danced in his eyes, illuminating the otherwise dark road. It was unbearably hot, but still he stood his ground, as if entranced by the captivating spectacle of the flames licking up all the golden papers in front of him. Solemnly the crowd watched behind him, all quiet and waiting.

"It's time," one of his seniors whispered to his ears. He nodded. Beads of sweat formed all over his forehead as he took the decorated sugar cane from the senior and held it in both hands. With each step closer, the heat only grew more intense. All eyes were on him, watching his every movement, and waiting with bated breaths

He lowered the sugar cane into the blaze, as the decorations immediately became engulfed in flames. The fire started to lick the sugar cane, and together they started to crackle. He was in such awe at the mesmerizing pyre in front of him that he stood there motionless as the conflagration slowly but surely moved along the sugar cane towards him.

"You need to break it off!" shouted his senior, watching anxiously from behind. Snapping back to his senses, he placed the sugar cane on the ground and stomped on it as hard as he could. But it was a lot tougher than he expected; the sugar cane wouldn't break. Panic set in, as the fires edged ever closer to him. He started twisting and pulling the sugar cane while stomping on it while his hair was on the verge of getting singed. Finally, it came loose. He hurriedly backed away, holding the half burnt sugar cane in his hands. The fire died almost immediately after, as if to tell him that he had passed the test. Only embers remained, and suddenly the cool night breeze caressed his skin.

"You did it," he senior praised, as he poured a bottle of water over him.
"I did it," he gasped, allowing the cold water to ease the heat out of his body.

He closed his eyes. "I did it."

***
This is a fictional story.