The Lizard of Id

Chapter 7: Gender blender and ignorance-popping bubbles

As we exited the forest we came upon a vast lake. In the distance I could see a small island connected to the shore by a stunning bridge of what looked like diamonds. As sunlight hit them, overlapping rainbows showered us in a magnificent display that shamed any fireworks I had ever seen.

We were all stunned. I turned and saw Judy had donned a dramatic red pair of sunglasses against the bright light. I was so jealous. She was the fashionable one of the group.

As we approached the bridge, I realized it was just high enough to skim across the water without getting your feet wet. On either side, a series of different colored frog sat on lily pads as if they were in deep meditation. They croaked a monotone that sounded like a long-breathed “IIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDD,” as we passed.

Ok, now I got it. That’s where they got the “ID” from. I really missed the “OZ” connection but, hey, I am not writing this story.

I caught a whiff of incense as we stepped on to the island of Id. It felt totally quiet aside from soft chimes filling the breeze. No one seemed upset when we entered. I sensed serenity immediately.

We were greeted by a stunning heron that was, of course, a colorful blue hue.

“We have been waiting for you”, the heron calmly announced. That startled me until I saw Neverknow perched on a branch behind the heron, which put my mind at ease. I had enough issues without becoming paranoid that we were being watched.

As we walked behind the heron, I noticed all the colors we saw were refracted sunlight playing through facets of crystal. The island wasn’t crowded, and I was again struck by a deep tranquility shared by all the creatures we passed.

After a brief walk, we reached the home of the Lizard of Id. I had no clue what to expect, but I was getting used to that feeling.

It had splashes of colors with no particular pattern other than a celebration of a freedom without form. You were able to make of it whatever you wanted it to be.

As we entered, A voice called out, “Emma, Andi, Harley and Judy! How nice of you to visit me on your journey.” Clearly Neverknow had been here already.

We heard a voice but we couldn’t see the Lizard.

“Oh, my apologies! I forgot that you can’t see me because I blend with everything. I was fortunate to be born a chameleon bearded dragon as well as an amphibian. I blend in everywhere and you can call me Basil or Bella depending on the temperature or your desire. Either is always fine with me.”

Basil or Bela? How? It would be very impolite to investigate Basil’s genitalia. I was not, after all, a talk show host.

Basil shifted slightly to the left and caught some refracted light. He materialized right in front of us. He was a trim six feet tall with large emerald eyes. His face was a perfect balance of intelligence with a hint of humor.

“Please sit down,” Basil offered. There was a table with seven chairs and an elegant bird stand for Neverknow. As we sat, Basil said, “Would you all like some tea? We have all kinds but my favorite is the local Id green. It both quenches the thirst and is a satisfying meal in one.”

We all nodded in agreement. The green tea sounded perfect, particularly as I was tired of eating the sour apples that had been thrown at us.

“I am always glad to have visitors,” started Basil as the tea arrived, carried by the heron we had met earlier.

“Tell me, what do you hope to learn on your journey on the Path of Enlightenment?” inquired Basil.

My face must have given away my confusion at the question. Basil turned to me and asked, “Emma you seem perplexed. Did I say something wrong?”

“Absolutely not Basil. It’s just that I thought you would be able to tell me why I am here and why Molly the Wise would send me down the Path of Enlightenment. I thought you ruled Id.”

Basil let out a loud laugh that made his eyes twinkle in the sunlight. “I apologize for laughing at your confusion, it just struck me as such an odd assumption. I am definitely not the person in charge of Id. In fact, I don’t know that anyone really is. We are sort of a chaotic association of diverse creatures that interact as they choose or not choose. I could never rule this group!”

“But I thought you would have all my answers,” I sighed, disappointed.

Basil leaned forward and took my hand. His eyes reflected his sympathy as he responded, “I don’t have the answers, I am just a lizard. It seems to me that you have a lot more walking to do on the Path of Enlightenment.”

I nodded and said, “Well, we are definitely not in the land of Oz.”

Basil sat back and asked, “Interesting. Can you tell me about this land called Oz?” I could see that everyone, including Nevermore, was leaning forward to hear my story.

I spent the rest of the afternoon pleasantly relating the story of the Wizard of Oz to my friends and my host. Even the heron listened silently.

As I ended the story, Basil said, “What an odd place, but I can understand your confusion. Other than your unfortunate accident with your house, we rarely go about melting witches. They can be a nuisance, but easily enough ignored.”

Then his tone turned brisk. “You are all welcome to stay the night before you continue your journey tomorrow. We have rooms ready for you all.”

We, of course, accepted his offer. It had been a long day. Before I went, I turned to Basil and asked, “Why did the Wicked Witch of Militantly Ignorant run away when I showed her my bubble gun?”

Basil glanced down at my Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum bubble gun blower.

He laughed and said, “Of course she would run away. If the bubbles strike her, the power of her ignorance would diminish. Each bubble is an undeniable fact. If you are militantly ignorant that is the last thing you want to touch. Unfortunately, if she can escape, her massive ignorance re-asserts itself. I don’t worry about her because once you lose your ignorance, it permanently protects you from their influence.”

That really made sense, and with that we wearily made our way to our rooms, wishing all a good night.

End of Chapter 7

Emma Holiday

Writers Note 1: Just for clarity and just the slight tinge of some real facts, many lizards can change color. Basil/Bella, not only being a color-changing chameleon but also is an Australian bearded dragon which gives he/she the ability to switch from having its sex determined by genes to having it determined by temperature. I personally love the idea, and living in a temperate climate would be perfect. I could change my gender with the seasons or vacation in Miami or Reykjavik depending on my mood.

Writers note 2: I really liked the Lizard of Id. I am jealous of the ability to be who you want to be with ease and confidence, knowing that you are respected and accepted, regardless of what you present and who you are.

In case you missed the first four chapters, here they are:

Additional writers note: If you have read any of my writings on Medium you will have noticed a definite theme: the incredible pain of gender dysphoria and all the difficult aspects of just being transgender.

My writing has three specific goals:

1. Writing is my therapy. I have a very limited outlet for my thoughts so I write to find a way to process the most profound experience in my life. I need to understand and I need to accept myself to move forward.

2. Being transgender, for me, is a very lonely existence and if I can share some of the things that I feel and think as I go through the process of transitioning with others who are transgender and, in some way, lessen their pain and sense of loneliness, then all of this public exposure of my personal thoughts is not a waste.

3. I write to help cisgender people understand that all trans people want is to be simply understood, accepted and treated as a normal person. We are.

Thank you for reading my work.

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