You may have seen him walking along state Route 410 between Buckley and Bonney Lake or on SR 169 between McHugh Avenue and the Stop an’ Shop corner. Owing to his robe, pointed wizard hat and long, wooden staff, he’s probably sparked your curiosity. He’s a hot topic in the lounge circles I move in and perhaps that’s also true in your environs.
Because of his attire, he’s known as the Wizard. (Indeed, he looks a lot like Dumbledore of Harry Potter fame.) I used half a tank of gas and wasted three entire afternoons, but I finally cornered him one day on the downhill grade of 169. Let me assure you, it was worth the effort.
Many might dismiss him as another of those egocentric fellows who occasionally come down the pike – adding a little color or wonder to our mundane lives – but hanging across his back is a large, intriguing sign that says “Help.” What is that supposed to mean? Buckley police stopped him several weeks ago and asked him if, as the sign suggested, he needed help. But no, the wizard explained, he didn’t need help. Instead, he wants to help other people.
However, let’s make one thing clear: he’s not giving away money, which is the “help” most of us need. Furthermore, he’s not apt to mow your lawn or paint your house, though I suppose, given a very unusual situation, he might conceivably help with such menial tasks.
His name is Obi-Wan Mugaba and his intention is to help people in more aesthetic, spiritual ways. He’s a 60-year-old dude with a quick and spontaneous sense of humor, warm, friendly eyes and a gray, stubble beard. (It was a full beard until a few weeks ago.) He said he walks along the highway at a fairly brisk pace for the exercise. He’s trying to lose a few pounds. He seems quite content and together, and most assuredly isn’t the raving schizophrenic some of you might expect. He smiles and claims the wizard costume is simply a way to attracting people who might be interested in his message.
Could that be you? If so, punch his name into Google and you’ll find him giving little five- or 10-minute presentations on a variety of subjects: i.e., philosophical issues like the nature of love, death and truth. Among his many tenets is the notion that you are the “master of your own reality” and our fear of death is merely a hoax perpetuated by various religions. He knows about death first-hand because, on one occasion in a hospital emergency room, he actually died for two or three minutes.
If you want more information about Obi-Wan or his ideas, stop along the road and talk with him. I could offer further details, but it’s best to leave him cloaked in a bit of mystery. After all, a wizard is supposed to be kind of baffling and wondrous.
