Pampered by Aristotle and Curious George

To a child of my heart, I’m about to pass along a gift given me by the universe nearly a quarter century ago: my cameo ring with the bust of Aristotle.  As you may anticipate, it comes with a story.

I saw the ring in a dream.  A day or two later I was walking down a sidewalk in Portsmouth, New Hampshire when I passed an estate jewelry shop, where, in the window, there it was.  

The woman who owned the shop told me the ring was made in 1890 by a Boston jeweler.  She had bought it a couple of years back, and in fact had been wearing it ever since until just a few days earlier when, finally ready to pass it along, she presented it for sale.  I’ve worn it on my left ring finger ever since.  

I knew nothing about Aristotle other than the label Greek philosopher.  Moreover, since the ring was a gift from the universe, I purposely did no research about the man, leaving my education to a higher authority.  Today, I remain dumb as a stone about Aristotle except for two things.  One, a quote of his which, I don’t know when or how, magically made its way into my consciousness: Character is revealed through action.  And two, the comment of a bakery cashier years later upon admiring the ring and hearing the story of its acquisition: “Old Aristotle wasn’t all that nice to the ladies.”  I took her comment as a reminder that I was to live in a manner that no one would have cause to say that about me. 

Within just a few days of purchasing the ring, I was in Boston’s Copley Plaza, a gigantic mall, where, among other enticements, there was a kiosk displaying timepieces for sale.  Almost before I began to scan the options, a watch seemed to fly off a rack and wrap itself around my right wrist.  On the face of the watch was the image of Curious George, the infamous monkey who got himself in and out of all sorts of mischief without ever saying a word. 

So there I was.  On my left hand a big shot philosopher’s mantra that I welcomed as a touchstone available to serve every decision I would ever make.  And on my right, so in keeping with the spirit of my heart, a playful, loving and deep symbol of that touchstone.  

A few years later, the watch simply disappeared, Curious George’s duty on my behalf obviously completed.  As is the ring’s today.  

As I bequeath it, I do so with a prayer that this child of my heart may come to feel as pampered by the universe as I do.