The Adventure of Sidd The story by Herman Hesse Adapted and illustrated by Carolyn Avery

Long ago in India, there was a young man named Sidd. His best friend was Jed. They both wanted to learn how to reach Heaven.

One day he realized he had learned everything he could from his father and asked For his blessing to leave.

After his father gave Sidd his blessing he left home with Jed. They then went to live with the wild men. Samanas.

With the Samanas Sidd learned how to meditate self-denial of food and other things. But Sidd was not taught how to reach Heaven.

So Sidd and Jed left to be taught by a man who has reached heaven. The Buddha.

They then met the wise Buddha. But Sidd had heard the Buddha’s teaching before and decided not to be a student of his. Jed did become a student.

Sidd walked on with out his friend. While walking he understood that he could not learn how to get to heaven by learning from someone, but by learning from experience.

Sidd then came to a river. A kind ferryman then took Sidd across the river without payment. The ferryman said that Sidd would come back to pay him back someday.

On the other side of the river Sidd came to a town. Coming out of the town he saw a beautiful woman. Kelly.

Later that day Sidd went to meet Kelly to ask her to teach him about love. She said that he had to be rich and well dressed for her to teach him. What can you do? I can think. I can wait. I can fast.

Can you read or write? Yes. Then you can work for the merchant Carlos.

As a merchant, Sidd learned about people who he thought were below him for they did not try to get to Heaven. But after many years of being a merchant and learning from Kelly he became what he hated. A person who he thought was below him. Later

He then left the town. He came yet again upon the river. He was very tired from walking he feel asleep.

They talked for awhile then parted ways. When he woke up he saw his good friend Jed. Jed did not recognize Sidd. But he felt that he needed to sit and protect Sidd from evil snakes. Do you not recognize me Jed? For I am Sidd.

Sidd went to the ferryman and said that he would give his rich clothes as payment for crossing him over this time and the last time. Sidd also asked to become his apprentice. The ferryman accepted and told him his name was Vince.

Sidd then became an apprentice ferryman and learned over the years to listen. He learned to listen to people who crossed the river. He listened to the river. When he listened he learned.

One day Kelly and her young son learned the wise Buddha was dying. They went to go visit him. When they came to the river they sat to rest. Kelly was then bitten by a snake when she sat.

When Kelly and her son yelled for help Vince heard and came to their aid. He then brought them to his hut. Sidd and Kelly recognized each other. She told him that her son was also his son. She then died.

The son then lived with Sidd and Vince but was unhappy. He then ran away from home. Sidd followed but lost him. Sidd then felt like his father when he left home too.

Sidd then learned to listen more closely to the river. For it already knew the son would leave. And when Sidd did listen everything made sense. He learned that everything is connected. There is no Heaven. There is life.