Once upon a time there was a waterfall. It provided life to many types of creatures, from deer with the most beautiful of antlers, to the cunning jackals. Nestled behind the waterfall, as a small cave, no bigger than a couple houses. However, it housed one of the most important organizations in my life. Behind the gushing torrents of a substance that causes the very sustenance of life, there was a simple tea shop. Its half-unhinged door, and the immense rust on its sign being the color of dirt, my eyes were not pleased. Although the floors were clearly paved, and I was wearing shoes, it felt as if the soil from the ground was touching my very soul. The sign of the shop "Into the Next World". I wondered what that meant. Another board, with the color as black as night, lists the special, "Feather moss". The area was cool, with a bit of breeze and a single lamppost in front of the shop. The shop appeared to be a thorn between two roses, surrounded by the thundering waterfall and the vast jungle. Luck did not seem to favor the shop. As I began to venture on the journey, many used to warn me of the shop's main attraction, a magical deck of cards. Although they grant the winner riches to last a lifetime, they send the loser on a one-way ticket to meet the Lord of Death. Shadows whisper at new visitors, as it seems that the shop has been consumed by the darkness. The pain in the owner's eyes, the dark circles that bleed into his face, and the little scar on his cheek, these little details speak volumes about his pain. Some say that he lost his family to his magical deck of cards, while others simply posit his deterioration due to loneliness. Suddenly, thirst consumed me. Perhaps it was the dreariness of the shop, or simply my close proximity to water, but I longed for a drink. Half out of pity for the owner and half out of pity for my aching heart, I called the owner to prepare two teas: one for me to quench my thirst and one for him to drown his sorrows. His comforting brew wrapped me in a warm hug, as I felt a burst of chamomile, and it began to create a safe space for me. I began to like the shop. I narrated my desire to live this mortal word to reside with God, when the tea shop owner appears dismal. He too expressed his desire to leave. He seemed like an old man, around the age of 75, and he was stuck working for a meager salary. At that moment, I felt shame impenetrate my heart for expressing my desires of penance while I was still of working age. We chatted a bit more, and I learned his anguish. The sense of tranquility I felt as I was at his shop was immense, and I suddenly offered to take over his shop. The offer left the owner bemused, but I was more shocked by this statement than him. I rue this mistake to this day. He showed me how to brew a couple teas, showed me the sleeping and living quarters, and began to pack his things. As I watched him curiously, like a young boy watching squirrels play in his garden, I asked him his destination, to which he replied, "To my family." I later learned from customers that he decided to meditate in another cave, and was lost soon after. I plowed my way through my days, and toiled for a pittance compared to my efforts. My efforts to grow closer to God, and to discover my true purpose in life took a backseat, as I found myself honor-bound to work. I began to grow old alone. My customers never aged, however, but I began to get different customers. The old ones never returned, and when I asked why, my newer customers never understood. As I toiled, I wished to leave, but I was stuck in golden handcuffs. My job owning the shop paid well, more than I had expected to learn if I had pursued a trade. But I was confined to my shop, and did not travel anywhere else. One night, when I was about the same age as the old man had been when I had relieved him of his duties, I felt more tired. I lay to sleep, but my head pounded. I felt as if my heart had traveled inside my head and began to beat. DA-DUM. DA-DUM. I suddenly saw the Lord of Death himself offer his hand. He appeared to be a kind and benevolent figure, extremely contradicting the western world's depiction of him. He rode an animal that appeared to be a buffalo. He said that "I've got too many people to take with me, we gotta go." I took his hand, confused. His hand was warm, but not too warm that I felt uncomfortable. We traveled to another seemingly old deer's abode, where we picked his soul up as well. I saw the deer's body rest, and I knew that either this was a really weird dream, or something supernatural was occurring. We then reached an area that seemed like the line at a grocery store. But then, the elevator doors in front of me closed, and I saw many buttons that looked like levels.

LEVEL 1 - CHRISTIAN

LEVEL 2 - JUDAISM

LEVEL 3 - ISLAM

LEVEL 4 - HINDUISM

LEVEL 5 - JAINISM

The levels kept going, until the bottom of the elevator. My understanding of this was to see which religion you were, and maybe different religions had different rules. I used to be a Hindu, prior to going to the little cave under the waterfall, so I pressed level 4, and the soul of the deer followed me. We waited in line for some time, until I was first in line. This part is a little muddy. I heard a voice call "Next!", and suddenly felt an urge to blink. While I blinked, I was transported to the front of the kiosk. The man asked me for my details, and I gave them to him. He told me to proceed. The next part seemed like a security check at immigration, but as I passed it, I was taken into what appeared to be a courtroom. I stood at a podium. I was asked question after question about my life, which finally led to them asking why I worked so long. I told them that I had responsibilities, and that I was getting paid very much, to which a voice responded, "Will you be able to take that with you to your next life?" I was confused, but I proceeded. The feeling of judgment for every detail of my life was heart-wrenching, and it made me feel terrible. Luckily, I remember very little of this. The questions soon ended, and I was taken to a waiting room. In that room, it felt a bit claustrophobic, but when I looked back at where I came from, I realized there was no exit. Suddenly, I saw some light, and here I am now. They told me that they would wipe my memory, but since I was such a good person, I get to stay human. For now, at least.