博炮作文网>叶藏小时候经历了什么 > 第3章 祭祀（第2页）
第3章 祭祀（第2页）
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theoffering
one
whenthebelltolls，Iknowtheceremonyisabouttobegin。
Itsafamilytradition，heldeveryeighteenyearsonthisday，wherethefamilyhostsagrandandluxurioussacrificialritetohonoroursupremedeity。
two
AndIamthesolepriestessinthisritual。
three
dressedintheintricatevestmentsofapriestess，Iboardthepalanquinboundforthetempleundermymothersworriedgaze。beforedeparting，Ifollowtheoldcustomsofthefamilyandbestowthepriestesssblessingupontheunbornchildinmymotherswomb。
Four
thetempleisbuiltatopamountain，andthepalanquinstopsatthefootofthehill。withadevoutheart，Iascendthestairsleadingtothetempleonestepatatime。
thepathislong，andtheceremonialrobesfeelexceedinglyheavy，yetIdonotsensetheexpectedweariness。
Frombirth，Iwastaughttoshouldertheresponsibilitiesofapriestess。
Five
Uponreachingthetemple，Iseeeveryonebrimmingwithhope，tearswellingintheireyes。theyretreatnaturallybehindme，ignitingthecandleinmyhand。Iunderstandthatthepathaheadisminealonetotread，fornooneotherthanthepriestessisallowedinsidethetemple。
Six
thetempleisdark;thedooropensbrieflybeforeclosingagain。holdingtheonlysourceoflight，Islowlymakemywayinside。Iswearthatnoonehaseverenteredhere，foriftheydid，theywouldwitnessthebonesstrewnacrossthefloor。
Seven
Uponseeingtheso-calleddeity，Iamnotsurprised。Imerelyundress，makingmyselfreadyforthe"deitys"feast。
Eight
Fromtheverybeginning，IknewIwasthesoleofferinginthisceremony。
Nine
thechildinmymotherswombisborn。thatisthenextofferingIleavetothefamily，thenext"me"。Ineighteenyears，hetoowillbeeapriest。
ten
theceremonywillnotcease;allwillbetrappedinthecycleofrebirth。AndI，Iwritethebeginningofthistale。
