And now, Hadji.  I realize the irony of pairing a Hindu yogin-in-training with a song from a show based on Hebrew Scripture, but it seemed like the perfect fit.

Disclaimer: Characters and associated details are property of HB and are used for non-profit, entertainment purposes only.

Archiving permission granted.

THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST

Synopsis: Hadji's turn, and, true to form, he takes a more spiritual route to the Great White Way.

"ON BROADWAY"

by Eric R. Umali

Part 2 - "Any Dream Will Do"

The flight dragged on.  Hadji closed his eyes, relaxing.  Jonny's and Jessie's programs were running smoothly on their own.  Gingerly, he lifted the laptop and placed it on the tray table of the seat beside him.

Hadji reached into his carry-on bag and removed a small notebook and a pen.  He flipped to a blank page and closed his eyes again.

He'd had a particularly vivid dream the night before and only now had a quiet moment to record it.  Hadji did it often, being a firm believer in dreams' ability to reveal insights into the dreamer's mind.

When he first began studying to be a yogin, his pursuits were limited to strictly Hindu and a few local Eastern religions and philosophies.  However, when he came to live with the Quests, the good Doctor encouraged him to expand his comparative studies.

Hadji was glad he did, finding wisdom and value everywhere.  Some of his studies were particularly enlightening in the subjects of dreams and dreaming.

There was one story of a dreamer he was particularly fond of.

In a land as far away from his current home as could be, a young man was given a gift.  He had bright, vivid dreams that were uncannily accurate at predicting the future.  He could also interpret the dreams of others with the same success.

Looking again at his friends, he decided he would begin practicing interpretation on them soon.

*If I can be anywhere near as insightful Joseph, son of Jacob,* thought Hadji, *I will be quite happy.*

Hadji thought of that blessed young man, happlily standing guard over his father's flocks on a grassy hill in Canaan.  He could feel himself there, the soft leather of his boots sinking into the soft earth, a wooden crook in his hand.  The future was waiting for him, and he needed only a dream to know it.

A soft, sweet melody began to carry on the breeze.

"I closed my eyes,
Drew back the curtain,
To see for certain
What I though I knew
Far, far away-
Someone was weeping,
But the world was sleeping-
Any dream will do-

I wore my coat,
With golden lining,
Bright colors shining-
Wonderful and new
And in the East,
The dawn was breaking,
And the world was waking-
Any dream will do-

A crash of drums,
A flash of light,
My golden coat
Flew out of sight
The colors faded into darkness,
I was left alone-

May I return
To the beginning-
The light is dimming,
And the dream is, too-
The world and I,
We are still waiting-
Still hesitating-
Any dream will do

A crash of drums,
A flash of light,
My golden coat
Flew out of sight
The colors faded into darkness,
I was left alone-

May I return
To the beginning-
The light is dimming,
And the dream is, too-
The world and I,
We are still waiting-
Still hesitating-
Any dream will do

Still hesitating-
Any dream will do..."

Joseph had seen a bright future for himself, but had no idea how bright.  Despite hardships that tested his faith, the young man persevered to become a prince of the land in Egypt.

Hadji smiled.  He wasn't a prince of Egypt, but being a Sultan wasn't too shabby.  He began writing in his notebook, the dream still clear as day.

TO BE CONTINUED...

"Any Dream Will Do" from  the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber
Lyrics by Tim Rice, used without permission

I had the good fortune to see the touring company of "Joseph" here in Boston, starring none other than Donny Osmond.  I broke with my usual tradition and bought the _Canadian_ cast recording, rather than the Original Broadway or London version so I could get one with him.

I'm going to date myself again and mention a _really_ funny in-joke they did in the production.  During one scene, Joseph stomps on the blue-suede shoes of the great Elvis-y Pharoah.  Everything stops for a moment, as the Pharoah looks him over and says, "You're a little bit Rock n' Roll."  I was rolling.  My younger (by 5 years) sister had no idea.