CHAPTER 5 THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS NAME
Days turned into weeks. Graham was now stronger and happier. He spoke to people every day and learned many things about the new world. But something inside him still felt heavy. One evening, while sitting quietly, he said to Mara, “Everyone talks about me as if I am a great man. But I still don’t understand what happened while I was sleeping. Who took care of everything I owned? Who kept my name alive?”
Mara looked at him with hesitation. She said softly, “There is something you should know, but it may hurt you.” Graham looked calm. “Tell me,” he said. “I can face it.”
Mara sighed and began to speak. “When you fell asleep, your friend Burton and other men created a trust to protect your money. At first, they wanted to keep your story safe. But as years passed and new generations came, people started using your name to build businesses. Your money grew, and your name became a symbol of power. The companies built under your name now control almost everything in the city.”
Graham was silent for a long time. His hands trembled slightly. “So my name became a tool for others?” he asked slowly. Mara nodded sadly. “Yes. The people who manage those companies are very rich. But they never shared the truth of how it began. They said you gave permission in old papers.”
Graham closed his eyes and whispered, “I never gave such permission. They turned my sleep into their gain.” He looked up at Mara and said, “Do people know this?” She shook her head. “Most don’t. They believe the name Graham is a symbol of leadership and progress.”
That night, Graham could not sleep. He sat near the window and watched the stars. His heart was full of mixed feelings. He whispered to himself, “The world I see now was built by my name, but not by my will. I have to make it right.”
The next morning, he called Daniel and Mara. “I want to meet the people who run those companies,” he said firmly. “If they used my name, they must listen to me.” Mara warned him, “They are powerful and proud. They might not welcome you.” Graham smiled faintly. “Then I will face them with truth.”
When he met the leaders, they looked surprised to see him. One of them said coldly, “Mr. Graham, the world has moved forward. You should rest and enjoy your fame. Let us handle the work.” Graham looked at them with calm eyes. “You built this world using my name. But did you use it for good?”
Another man replied, “We gave people jobs and built cities. We made progress.” Graham said softly, “But progress without honesty is empty. You used my name to grow your power. I never wanted that.” The room went silent. His words carried a quiet strength that none of them could ignore.
After that meeting, Graham walked out feeling both sad and free. Mara met him outside. “Are you all right?” she asked. He nodded slowly. “Yes. The truth hurts, but it also heals. Now I know what I must do.”
He began using his remaining power to help others. He donated his wealth to build schools and homes. He wanted his name to stand for kindness, not control. “If I can’t change the past,” he told Mara, “I can still make a better future.”
People heard about what he did and started following his example. Some said, “The Sleeper has truly awakened now.” Others said, “He is not a man of time — he is a man of heart.”
Late one night, Mara found him sitting quietly again. She said, “You look peaceful tonight.” Graham smiled. “Maybe for the first time, I am,” he said. “I know now that a name means nothing unless it is used with love.”
He looked at the sky and whispered, “The truth was hidden for years, but it has found its way home.”
