TheGreatestSalesmanintheWorldPartII

TheEndoftheStory

“Themostimportantbookofourgeneration.OgMandino—thedeanofpersonalenrichment—hascreateda flawless,pricelessmasterpiece thatwillignitethespiritsofmillionsandliveonasaneternalcandletolightourway.…Ivowtointernalizeandlivethetenvowsofsuccess.”

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—ARTLINKLETTER

BantamBooksbyOgMandino

ABETTERWAYTOLIVETHECHOICETHECHRISTCOMMISSIONTHEGIFTOFACABAR(withBuddyKaye)THEGREATESTMIRACLEINTHEWORLDTHEGREATESTSALESMANINTHEWORLDTHEGREATESTSALESMANINTHEWORLD,PARTII:TheEndoftheStory

THEGREATESTSECRETINTHEWORLDTHEGREATESTSUCCESSINTHEWORLDMISSION:SUCCESS!OGMANDINO’SUNIVERSITYOFSUCCESSTHERETURNOFTHERAGPICKER

THEGREATESTSALESMANINTHEWORLD,PARTIIABantamBook

PUBLISHINGHISTORYBantamhardcoveredition/March1988Bantampaperbackedition/April1989

Allrightsreserved.Copyright©1988byOgMandino.

LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:87-47795

Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthe

publisher.Forinformationaddress:BantamBooks.

eISBN:978-0-307-79097-2

Bantam Books are published by Bantam Books, a division of Bantam Doubleday DellPublishing Group, Inc. Its trademark, consisting of the words “Bantam Books” and theportrayal of a rooster, is Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in othercountries.MarcaRegistrada.BantamBooks,1540Broadway.NewYork.NewYork10036.

v3.1

Foritiswritten,Iwilldestroythewisdomofthewise,andwillbringtonothingtheunderstandingoftheprudent.Whathavethey,thephilosopher,thewriter,andthecriticofthisworldtoshowforalltheirwisdom?

HasnotGodmadethewisdomofthisworldlookfoolish?ICorinthians1:19–20

Contents

CoverOtherBooksbyThisAuthorTitlePageCopyrightEpigraphASpecialDedicationOgMandinoRemembers

IIIIIIIVVVIVIIVIIIIX:TheFirstVowofSuccessX:TheSecondVowofSuccessXI:TheThirdvowofSuccessXII:TheFourthVowofSuccessXIII:TheFifthVowofSuccessXIV:TheSixthVowofSuccessXV:TheSeventhVowofSuccessXVI:TheEighthVowofSuccessXVII:TheNinthVowofSuccessXVIII:TheFinalVowXIX

AbouttheAuthor

ASPECIALDEDICATION

He was my beloved friend for twelve years and always satpatiently bymy side, night after night, whenever I agonized over theshaping of sentences into paragraphs and paragraphs into pages andpagesintobooks.Veryoften,lateintheevening,hewoulddozeoffasIlaboredovermy

noisytypewriterbuthiseyelidsneverquiteclosedshut…asifhewerestillstandingwatchincaseIneededhim.I talkedouthundreds ofwritingproblemswithhim, over the years,

andhealwayslistenedwithgreatpatienceandunderstanding.SomanycharacterandplottwistscameaboutasaresultofmybouncingideasoffhimthatI’mnotcertainhowI’mevergoingtofunctionwithouthim.His special sofa, near my desk, now seems very large … and very

empty.IstillhavetofightbacktearswheneverIforgetandturntosaysomethingtohimandthenrealizethatheisnotinhisfavoritespot,norwillheeverbeagain.Slippers, youoldbasset hound, Imiss you likehell and if this book

evergetspublished,plusanyothersinthefuture,itwillonlybebecauseIknowyou’reup thereonyourown littleheavenly sofa, still cheeringandbarkingforyouroldbuddy.Thisbook,withallmylove,isforyou,kid.…

OGMANDINOREMEMBERS…

Other than Mickey Mantle hitting his five hundredth careerhome run, Dr. Christiaan Barnard performing the world’s first humanhearttransplant,andBarbraStreisandsinginginCentralPark,1967wasnotaverygoodyear.There were race riots in Cleveland, Newark, and Detroit. Israel and

Arabnationsengagedinabloodysix-daywar.ThePeople’sRepublicofChina exploded its first hydrogen bomb. American aircraft bombedHanoi and three American astronauts were burned to death on theirlaunchingpad.Inthemidstofallthatangstandfearandwhiletheworldteeteredon

thebrinkof extinction, I enjoyed a greatmoment of pride that I shallneverforget,thatfall,whenIfinallyheldinmyhandsthefirsteditioncopyofmytinybook,TheGreatestSalesmanintheWorld.Being published in such a chaotic year and against formidable new

booksbythelikesofGoreVidal,IsaacBashevisSinger,ThorntonWilder,WilliamGolding,andLeonUrisdidnotbodewell formyfirst fictionaleffort.MyparableaboutacamelboyinthetimeofChrist,anunlikelycategory in any era, appeared destined to suffer the same oblivion asmost of the thousands of other new books being introduced that falldespite publisher Frederick Fell’s heroic efforts to publicize what heinsisted was one of the most important books he had published intwenty-fiveyears.And then a miracle happened. Actually, two miracles. Insurance

pioneer, W. Clement Stone, to whom I had dedicated the book ingratitudeforhishelpandfriendship,wassotouchedbythestorythatheordered ten thousand copies of The Greatest Salesman in theWorld fordistribution to every employee and shareholder of his huge CombinedInsurance Company. At the same time, Rich DeVos, co-founder ofAmway International, began advising his thousands of distributors, inspeeches across the country, that they should learn and apply theprinciplesofsuccessfoundinOgMandino’sbook.

Those two influential leaders planted their seedswell. Sparked by agrowingbandofreaderswhospontaneouslycontributedoneofthemostextensive word-of-mouth campaigns in publishing history, sales of thebookincreasedeachyeartomygreatdelightandamazement.By1973ithadregisteredanalmostunheardofthirty-sixprintings,soldmorethan400,000hardcovercopies,andwasbeingacclaimedbyPaulNathanofPublishersWeeklyas“thebest-sellerthatnobodyknows.”Notoncehaditappearedonanynationalbest-sellerlistuntilBantamBooksacquiredthepaperbackrights,promoted itnationally,andpublished its firsteditionin1974.I am constantly touched by thewide spectrum of readerswho havebeeninfluencedbymytaleofhowtenscrollsofsuccessandhappinesscameintothepossessionofacourageouscamelboyafterhehadmadeanaccidentalvisittoastableinBethlehem,oneevening.Prisonconvictshavewritten that they havememorized everyword contained in theirbatteredcopiesofSalesman,drugandalcoholwithdrawalpatientshaveadmittedsleepingwiththeirbookundertheirpillows,Fortune500chiefexecutive officers have distributed copies by the thousands to theirsubordinateswhilesuperstarssuchasJohnnyCashandMichaelJacksoncontinuetosingitspraise.For someone who never imagined anyone would read his effort atwriting, except perhaps his immediate family, it is difficult tocomprehendthatTheGreatestSalesmanintheWorldhasnowsoldmorethan9millioncopiesinseventeenlanguagesandithasnowbecometheall-timebest-sellingbookforsalespeopleintheentireworld.Throughtheyears,mymailhasoftencontainedthesuggestionthatIshould consider writing a sequel to my two-decade best-seller since,unlikemyfamousfictionalcreation,Ihavenotretired.IntheyearssinceSalesman first saw the lightofday, Ihavemanaged toproduce twelveother books and I also continue to dash around the world givingspeechestolargeaudiencesoffriendsofGreatestSalesmanonthesubjectofsuccess.At first I was completely negative toward the idea of bringing mysalesmanbackforanencore.Writingthatbookchangedmylifeandthatof my family forever and I didn’t want to risk producing any sort ofsequel thatmightdiluteorharmtheoriginal inanyway.Also, since Iassumed that twenty years must have elapsed for my fictional hero,

Hafid,asithadformeinreallife,hewouldbeatleastagesixtyinanysequeland Iwasn’t certainhowmuch I coulddowithanoldboy likethat. Then, onemorning, while flying to Lisbon to keynote the NorthAmericanCompany’s annual gatheringof its topproducers, I suddenlyrealizedthat I’macoupleofyearsolderthanHafidandhereIamstillwriting and flying around the world giving talks and doing mediainterviewsonradioand television,not tomention that Icanstillhitagolfballover250yards.IfIcouldstillworkandperform,socouldhe!That’s when I decided that the greatest salesman in the world shouldcomeoutofretirement.WhetheryouareanoldfriendofHafid’sorthisisyourinitialcontact,I welcome youwith love. Read and enjoy… andmay thewords andideasyoufindherelightenyourloadandbrightenyourpathaswellasitspredecessorhasapparentlydoneforsomany.

Scottsdale,Arizona

I

On theoutskirtsofDamascus, ina statelypalaceofburnishedmarbleframedbygiantpalmtrees,therelivedaveryspecialmanwhosenamewasHafid.Nowretired,hisvasttradeempirehadonceknownnoboundaries, extending across so many lands from Parthia to Rome toBritanniathathewasacclaimedeverywhereasthegreatestsalesmanintheworld.By the time he had removed himself from the world of commerce,

followinghistwenty-sixthyearofrecordgrowthandprofit,theinspiringstory ofHafid’s rise from a lowly camel boy to hismighty position ofpowerandwealthhadspreadthroughoutthecivilizedworld.Inthosetimesofgreatturmoilandupheaval,whilealmostallof the

civilizedworldbowedmeeklytoCaesarandhisarmies,Hafid’sfameandreputation had almost elevated him to the status of a living legend.Especially among the poor and downtrodden of Palestine, a borderregion on the eastern frontier of the empire, Hafid of Damascus washonored in songandpoetryas a shiningexampleofhowmuch itwaspossibletoaccomplishwithone’slifedespiteobstaclesandhandicaps.Andyet,foramanwhohadfashionedsuchamonumentallegacyand

accumulated a fortune of several million gold talents, the greatestsalesmanintheworldwasfarfromhappyinhisretirement.As he had done on somany other days stretching back through the

years,Hafidemergedfromtherearentranceofhismansionatdawnonemorning,treadingcarefullyonthedew-moistenedtilesofpolishedbasaltasheheadedresolutelyacrossthehugeandshadowycourtyard.Faroff,asolitarycockcrowedasthesun’sfirstraysofsilverandgoldradiatedabovethedesertfromtheeast.Hafid paused near the octagonal fountain in the center of the wide

patioandinhaleddeeply,noddinginappreciationatthethickcoveringof pale yellow jasmine blossoms clinging to the high stone walls thatsurrounded his estate. He tightened the girdle of leather at his waist,tuggedathis soft linen tunic, and continuedat a slowerpaceuntil he

hadpassedbeneathanaturalarcadeofcypressboughsandwasstandingbeforeanelevatedgranitetombthatwasfreeofallornamentation.“Good morning, my beloved Lisha,” he half-whispered, reachingforwardandsoftlycaressingawhiterosebudextendingfromasingletallbush thatguarded thevault’sheavybronzedoor.Thenhe retreated tohisnearbybenchofcarvedmahoganyandsat staringat thecrypt thatcontainedtheremainsofthelovingwomanwhohadsharedhislife,hisstruggles,andhistriumphs.Hafid felt the pressure of a hand on his shoulder and heard thefamiliar and hoarse voice of his longtime bookkeeper and faithfulcompanion,Erasmus,evenbeforeheopenedhiseyes.“Forgiveme,master…”“Goodmorning,oldfriend.”Erasmus smiled,pointingupat the sun thatwasnowdirectlyabovetheirheads.“Morninghasalreadydeparted,master.Goodafternoon.”Hafidsighedandshookhishead.“Anotherperilofoldage.Oneneversleeps at night, always arises before dawn, and then slumbers like akittenthroughtheentireday.Thereisnologictothat.None.”Erasmus nodded and folded his arms, expecting to hear anotherlectureonthesorrowsofgrowingold.Butthiswasnottobelikeeveryother morning, for Hafid had suddenly leaped to his feet and racedtowardthetombinlongstridesuntilhishandwasonthestone.Thenheturnedandinastrongvoiceexclaimed,“Ihavebecomeasorryexcuseforahumanbeing!Tellme,Erasmus,howlonghasitbeen,now,sinceIbegan this selfish and isolated life devoted only to feeling sorry formyself?”Erasmusstaredwide-eyedandthenreplied,“Thegreatchangeintheecommenced with the passing of Lisha and your sudden decision todisposeofallyouremporiumsandcaravans,followingherentombment.Fourteenyearshaveruntheircoursesinceyoudecidedtoturnyourbackontheworld.”Hafid’seyeshadbecomemoist.“Preciousallyandbrother,howhaveyoumanagedtotoleratemymiserablebehaviorforsolong?”Theoldbookkeeperstareddownathishands.“Wehavebeentogetherforalmostfortyyearsandmyloveforyouisunconditional.IservedyouduringyourgreatestmomentsofsuccessandhappinessandIserveyounow, justaswillingly,eventhoughIhaveagonizedat the livingdeath

youseemtohavewilledforyourself.YoucannotreturnLishatolifeandsoyouhavebeentryingtojoinherinthattomb.Rememberwhenyouinstructedme,manyyearsago,tosecurearedrosebushandplantitnexttothiswhiteone,afteryouweredeadandlaidtorestthere?”“Yes,”repliedHafid,“andletusnotforgetmyconstantremindersthatthis palace and warehouse would be yours upon my death. A smallrecompense for your countless years of loyalty and friendship and allthatyouhaveenduredfrommesincewelostLisha.”Hafid reached out, snapped the stem of the solitary white rosebud,andcarrieditbacktothebenchwhereheplaceditcarefullyinhisoldfriend’s lap. “Self-pity is the most terrible of diseases, Erasmus, and Ihavebeenafflictedfartoolong.Ihavefoolishlydivorcedmyselffromallhumanity,becauseofmygreatgrief,andmademyselfahermitinthatmausoleumwhereyouandIreside.Enough!Itistimeforchange!”“But they have not beenwasted years,master. Thy great charitablecontributionstotheunderprivilegedofDamascus…”Hafidinterrupted.“Money?Whatsacrificewasthatforme?Allpeopleofwealthsalvetheirconsciencewithgiftsofgoldforthepoor.Therichfeed off these contributions as much as the hungry and they makecertainthattheworldismadeawareoftheirgreatgenerositywhich,tothem,isnomorethanahandfulofpennies.No,dearfriend,applaudnotmycharity.Instead,sympathizewithmyunwillingnesstosharemoreofmyself.…”“Andyet,”protestedErasmus,“thyseclusionaccomplishedsomegood,sire.Haveyenot filled thy librarywith theworksof theworld’sgreatminds and devoted countless hours to the study of their ideas andprinciples?”Hafid nodded. “I havemade every attempt to occupy the long daysandnights by givingmyself the education I never received as a youthand the effort has openedmy eyes to aworld ofwonder and promisethatIhadlittletimetoappreciateinmypursuitaftergoldandsuccess.Still,Ihaveprolongedmygrieffartoolong.Thisworldhasprovidedmewitheverythingamancoulddesire.ItistimeIbegantorepaymydebtbydoingallIcantohelpmakeabetterlifeforallmankind.Iamnotyetready formy final restingplace and the red rose I instructed that youplant here, upon my death, next to this white one that was Lisha’sfavorite,mustwait.”

TearsofjoywerenowflowingdownthewrinkledcheeksofErasmusasHafidcontinued.“LivywaswritinghishistoryofRomewhenhewasseventy-five and Tiberius ruled the empire until almost eighty.ComparedtothemIamonlyachild…ahealthychildofsixty!Mylungsareclear,myfleshisfirm,myvisionisexcellent,myheartisstrong,andmymind is as alert as itwas at twenty. I believe I amprepared for asecondlife…!”“This is such a great miracle!” Erasmus cried, looking toward the

heavens.“Afteryearsofsilentanguishandgriefoverthycondition,myprayershavefinallybeenanswered.Tellme,sire,whathascausedthissurpriseresurrectionofthemanwhowassolovedandrespectedbytheworld?”Hafidsmiled.“Lisha.”“Lisha?”“Rememberhowmanytimes,throughtheyears,whatLishadreamed

wouldeventuallycometopass?”Erasmusnodded.“Theinformationsheprovidedus,uponawakening,

oftenpreventedusfromenteringintobusinessarrangementsthatwouldhavecostmanyfortunes.”Hafidpointedtowardthebench.“Thismorning,asIslumberedhere,I

dreamedofLisha.ShewasholdingmyhandandwalkingmethroughthestreetsofDamascus,pointingouthowmanyinthemultitudeseemedtobehungryorsickorhurtorlostorpoororunhappy.Iheardhervoice,softly tellingme that I couldnot, any longer, ignore thesepeople.Shereminded me that there were legions such as these, throughout theworld,whohadnoonetoturntoandImustnotshutmyeyestotheirplight,burrowaholeinthegroundandhidelikeaworm.”“Lishawasneverknowntospeaktoyouinsuchamanner,sire.”“Correction,Erasmus.Shehadnocausetodosointheolddays.But

wait, there is more to my dream. She then told me that my life wasabouttobeginagainandwarnedmethatmydaysasareclusewereoverbecauseastrangerwouldcometomydoor,thisveryday,andIwasnotto turnhimawayas Ihaddone to somany in thepast.This stranger,Lishasaid,wouldprovidemewiththekeytounlockmyfuture,afuturethatwouldaffectmany lives.Erasmus?Erasmus,whyareyousopale?Whatiswrong?”“I beg your forgiveness, sire, but in my great joy at this surprising

transformation in thee, I neglected to announce that there is a visitorawaitingthypleasureinthelibrary.”“Afriend?”“A stranger, at least tome.He saidhis name isGalenus, he is fromJerusalem,andhehasabusinesspropositionforyou.”“Whywashenotsentaway,asyouhavedonetoallvisitorsaccordingtomyorders,forthesemanyyears?”“There was something special about thisman, sire, and I could notbringmyselftorequestthatheleave.”“Doeshenotknowthatmydaysofhearingbusinesspropositionshavelongpassed?”Erasmussmiledandcockedhisheadslyly.“Hedoesnot.Nordoesheknowthathispresencehasalreadybeenannouncedinadream.IsitstillthywishthatIsendhimonhisway?”Hafid’slaughterechoedthroughoutthecourtyardforthefirsttimeinmorethanadecadeasthetwooldfriendsembracedandturnedtowardthepalace.“Letushurry,Erasmus.Onemustneverkeepadreamwaiting.”

II

Thestrangerwasstandingnearthegoldfishpondinthecenterof the vast library, gazing in awe at the thousands of parchment rollsstored neatly on shelves of walnut that extended from a dark marblefloortoahighceilingenhancedbymosaictilesofblueandgold.Galenuswasshortandhiscloselycroppedwhitehairprovidedstrong

contrast to his dark features. Despite his lack of stature, therewas anauthorityaboutthemanhintingthatherewasonewhodemandedandreceived respect. Erasmus steppedback after introducing the visitor tohismaster.“Iammosthonoredtomeet,atlonglast,thegreatestsalesmaninthe

world,”Galenussaid,bowingat thewaist.“AndIamoverwhelmedbythisroom.Whatamagnificentcollection!EvenEmperorClaudiuswouldturngreenwithenvy.”Hafid nodded proudly. “Yes, here I am able to consult with Horace

and Virgil and Catullus and Lucretius and scores of others who havebeen blessedwith great vision andwisdom.And on that southwall isperhaps the only complete collection of Varro’s works… six hundredand twenty volumes in seventy-four books.However, I doubt that youhavecomeheretodiscussmycollectionandIapologizeforkeepingyouwaitingsolong.Letussithere,”hesaid,pointingtoacouchwhosebackwasinlaidwithtortoiseshellandgems.Taking his cue fromHafid’s stern tone, Galenus came swiftly to the

purposeofhisvisit.“Sir,Ihavebeengiventounderstandthatbecauseofthe immensetradeempireyouoncecontrolled,youhavetheability tospeak with eloquence in the tongue of the Jew, the Greek, and theRoman.Isthatcorrect?”Hafid frowned and glanced toward Erasmus who shrugged his

shouldersandlookedaway.“Idoubtthatthereisverymucheloquencein my words,” he replied, “but I have trained myself to at leastcommunicateinallthreelanguages.”Galenus leaned toward his host. “Most honored merchant, we are

enteringanerawheremankind’sthirstforknowledgeseemstoknownobounds.Arevolutionofthemindandthespiritistakingplaceledbythecommonman who is no longer content to remain common. He seeksguidance, counsel, and teachingonhowhe can improvehis lot in lifethroughwiserapplicationofthetalentshehaspossessedsincebirth.Tosatisfy this mass migration into the world of self-improvement,thousandsof teachersandoratorsnowtravel fromcity tocity, sharingtheir knowledge and experience on every possible subject … fromastrologytofarmingtoinvestingtomedicine,lecturingtohugecrowds,both schooled and unschooled, on hillsides, in gymnasiums, forums,theaters,andeventemples.”Galenus paused for some response from his host but when Hafidremainedsilent,hecontinued.“Ofcourse,amongthislegionoflecturersthere are charlatans with silver tongues who dispense uselessinformationandwhosemessage isof littlevaluecompared to thehighadmissionfeetheycharge.Ontheotherhand,therearemanypowerfulmastersoforatoryinthetraditionoftheRomans,CatoandCicero,whodraw from a lifetime of struggles and observations and leave theiraudiences with valuable lessons and techniques that will enhance anylife. Many who tour have built great followings and earn immensefortunesontheplatform.”Hafidraisedhishand,apatientsmileonhislips.“Iamwellaware,sir,of thesemasters in the art of rhetoric. Except for the fewwho stir uptrouble, I applaud their efforts tomake this abetterworld for all.Butwhatisallthattome?”“Great salesman,” said Galenus, “I am an experienced promoter ofexhibitions,games,andothereventsofentertainmentforthemasses.Inthe past twenty years I have produced and staged debates, lectures,concerts, prize fights,wrestlingmatches, plays, and countless races byfoot and chariot. I have made presentations in Athens, Jerusalem,Alexandria,Rome,andhundredsofsmallercitiesandtownsthroughoutthecivilizedworld.”“Thatisindeedinteresting,Galenus,andIamimpressed.Butwhyareyouhere?”Therewasa slight tremor in thevisitor’svoice. “Sir, Iwould like torepresentthegreatestsalesmanintheworldonseveralspeakingtours.Iamcertainthatwithyourbackgroundyoumusthaveamessageofhope

and success that could change many lives and after hearing yourpowerful voice I know that you could deliver it with great authority.Sinceyourreputationwouldguaranteehugecrowdseverywhere,Iwanttoplaceyouontheplatformsandstagesofthisworldsothatyoumayhave the opportunity to instruct and inspire the common man andwomaninthetechniquesnecessarytomakeatleastsomeofhisorherdreamscometrue.Theworldissorelyinneedofyourexpertguidance,Hafid.”It required severalminutesbeforeGalenus recovered from the shockof Hafid instantly accepting his proposal. After lunch, during whichHafid relatedhis strangedreamof themorningandLisha’sprediction,thetwocontinuedtheirdiscussionatthelargeteaktableinthelibrarywhileErasmusmademanynotes.“Our first tour,”Galenus explained, “wouldbeabriefbut importantlearning experience for you as you work at refining your talk andacquiringsomeofthefundamentalsofgoodoratorybypracticingbeforesmall audiences. I shallmonitor your first few speeches andmakeanysuggestions I believemight improve your delivery.Working in nearbytowns and villageswill also serve as a testing period for you and theinitial four or five lectures should be sufficient to help you decidewhether or not you want to continue on to the capitals of the worldwhere the crowds would number in the thousands instead of thehundreds.”“Thatisveryconsiderateofyou,”smiledHafid.“IfIamgoingtomakeafoolofmyself,itiswellthatonlyafewbearwitnesstomyfailure.”Galenus laughed. “I do not believe that will happen. With yourpermission I shall depart in the morning and commence making allnecessary arrangements for your appearances in four or five locations,nonespacedmorethanahalfday’sjourneyfromthenext.ThenIshallreturn and accompany you through the entire tour. Can I assume thattheman whose caravans covered the world still has, in his stables, asturdy closed carriage large enough to transport us and our personaleffectswithsomedegreeofcomfort?”“Ihaveafavoritevehiclethatmayneedsomerestorationaftersittingidleforsomanyyears.Erasmus,ofcourse,willalsoaccompanyus.Thiscarriage is large enough to sleep four and requires a four-horse pull;however,IhaveseveralArabiangrayswhocancomeoutofretirement

with theirmaster.Thecarriagewasagift fromthegovernorofJudea,PontiusPilate,atleastfifteenyearsagoafterIgavehimagoodpriceontwohundredprizestallionsforhiscavalrystationedatCaesarea.”“Excellent. In each town I shall rent themost appropriate forum for

yourlecture,whetheritbeatheater,gymnasium,arena,orschoolandIshallrecruitthoselocalpeopleneededtobestpromoteyourappearancetothepublic.”Erasmus finally endedhis long silence. “Galenus,youmentioned the

great wealth accumulated by some traveling orators and I have beenpatiently waiting for you to describe the financial arrangements youproposeforthisventure.”“Of course. All expenses such as food, lodging, rental of the lecture

facility, stable, and payments to those in each townwho promote ourprograms are first deducted from the total of monies collected foradmissions.Then I retain twenty-fivepercentof thebalanceasmy feeand remit the remainder to Hafid. This is the standard percentagechargedbythemostrespectedofourprofession.”“Thatseemstobemostfairandequitable,”saidHafid.“Turnoverall

my earnings to Erasmus. He has guarded my purse strings for manyyearsandIseenoreasontochangeourhabitsatthislatedate.Later,wecandecidewhatcharitiesshouldbenefit.”Galenussaid,“Ishallbegoneforat least twoweeks,arrangingyour

itinerary.While I amawayyouwillhave time toprepareyour lectureandrehearseitsdelivery.Actually,thegreatoratorsIhavemettellmethat theyarealwayspracticing …thatevery lecture isarehearsal forthenextone…andthatthewordstheyusealwaysseemtochangetofittheir audience, the important news of the moment, and even theweather.”Hafidwasnowscribblingonasmallpieceofparchment.“Inlengthof

time,Galenus,howlongshouldthelecturebe?”“There is no prescribed length. I am familiar with a famous

philosopherwhohas been known to orate for four ormorehours andsaylittleandyetIstillrecall,yearsago,hearingayoungpreacheronamountain near Jerusalemwho touched every listener presentwith hispowerandhisloveinadiscourseoflessthanhalfanhour.Isuggestthatyouwriteaspeechyoucandeliverinanhour’stimeandthenmemorizeenoughofitsothatyourdeliveryseemsnaturalwithoutyourhavingto

readanyofit.Beyondanhour,eventhemostloyalofaudiencesbegintosufferfromaterriblenumbingsensationintheirlowerposteriors.”Erasmus glanced apprehensively at hismaster. “Dost thou have anyidea,atthisearlytime,whatwillbethesubjectofyourlecturestothepeople?”Hafid rose and began pacing the tiled floor as if he were alreadyrehearsing. “I have often thought of thosemeetings in years long pastwhenallourmanagersgatheredhere,inthisveryroom,toreviewwithmetheresultsofthepastyearandtheirfuturegoals.Ialwaysspoketothem,notofthequalityofourgoodsorthesalesvolumeachieved,butratherofeachperson’svisionofthefutureandhowmuchcontrolitwaspossibletoexerciseovertheyeartocomethroughthebetteruseofhistalentandpotential. I talkedoftenofchangeandhowit ispainfulbutnecessary,remindingmypeoplethatwearealwaysgrowing,nomatterwhatourage,unliketheliliesofthefieldthatbloom,turntostraw,andareplowedunderorblowaway.And Iwas forever reminding themofthe greatwonders they could performproviding they learned to standguard, night and day, against the worst enemy they would everhave…themselves.OnehasonlytowalkdownanystreetinDamascusor any other city, today, to bearwitness to howmany have lost theirway.Lisha,blesshersoul,showedmeinmydreamthismorning.AndIknowfrommyownobservationsthatthisisnotahappyworld.Tenshedtears for every onewho smiles. Something iswrong, verywrong.Godprovideduswithallthetoolsnecessarytoachieveanygoalbutwehavelost the plans and drawings and so we build nothing but houses ofsorrow.Perhaps,inmysmallway,IcanassistGod…bydroppingafewpebblestomarkapathforthosewhoseekguidance,justasmypathwasguided,longago,byanother.”

III

And so it came to pass that at an age when most would becontenttositintheshadewiththeirmemories,thegreatestsalesmanintheworldembarkedonanewcareer.His initial speech was presented in a musty meeting hall on the

outskirtsofCaesareaPhilippi toanaudienceof less thanonehundred.Afterwards, over supper in a nearby caravan stop,Hafid reviewed theeveningwithhistwocompanions.“Yourmessage,” saidGalenus, “wasbothpowerful and simple and I

am certain that themany principles of success you presentedwere ofgreat value to everyone in attendance, no matter what his or herconditionmight be.And, of course, nooneon anyplatform is able tospeak from your position because no one alive has achieved yoursuccess! My heart flutters with anticipation when I consider yourappearances, later, in the world’s great cities such as Rome andJerusalem. Itwillbenecessary foryou to speakonmanyevenings,nomatterhowlargetheforums,beforewewillhavesatisfiedtheimmensecrowds who will gather to learn from the master. What a pleasantthought!”Hafid pushed aside his plate, unsmiling, and said, “Kindly withhold

thycompliments,Galenus,untilIhavetrulyearnedthem.Fornow,justtellmehowIcanimproveonmyweakperformanceofthisevening.”“Thiswasonlyyourfirstpresentation,Hafid,andyemustnotbetoo

harshonthyself.Theartoforatoryisaskillnoteasilyacquired.TonightInoticedthatyouhadforgottenseveralpointsyouhadplannedtomakeinyour speechbutyoucontinuedonsocalmly that Idoubtanyone inthe room realized your error. Perhaps you might wish to consideremployingmore bodymovement during your delivery. Now and thenwalkclosertoyouraudience,pause,andthenjustturnandwalkawayfromthemwithout sayinganything.Remember thatagoodspeaker is,firstofall,agoodactor.Gesturewithyourarmswheneveryouwishtoemphasizeapointandalsoraiseandloweryourvoice.Mostimportant,

workat lookingintotheeyesofasmanyinyouraudienceasyoucan,one person at a time, just as if youwerehavingprivate conversationswitheachdespitethedistancebetweenyou.”Hafidshookhisheadsadly.“Ihavemuchtolearn.”Galenus patted his arm. “Patience,my friend, patience. I know thatyoudidnotbecomethegreatsalesmanthatyouareinaday.OvertheyearsIhavehandledhundredsofperformersandImusttellyouthatIwas amazed, this evening, at your poise and self-control. But inretrospectIshouldnothavebeensurprised.Afterallthechallengesyouhavemetandovercome inyour lifetime, tonightwasprobablyof littleconcerntothee.”“Onthecontrary,”sighedHafid,“I’mnotcertainthatmymessagehadany value to those people. They seemed unmoved by my words andtherewaslittleapplauseattheconclusion.”“Itwillcome,sire,”assuredErasmus,“itwillcome.”But it did not come. Not in Bethsaida nor Chorazin nor CapernaumwasHafidabletoignitehisaudiences.HisfinalscheduledappearanceonthisinitialtourwasinthehillsidevillageofNazarethandsincethiswasacrossroadsforbothmilitaryandcommercial travel, Galenus and his helpers had managed to crowdnearlythreehundredintothedininghallofthetown’sonlyinn.Hafid, in later years,was quick to acknowledge that his decision tospeak at Nazareth had a great influence on the remainder of his life.After the sorry evening in Capernaum, when he was certain he hadfailedhisaudienceoffishermenandmerchants,healmostcanceledthefinalscheduledstopandreturnedtoDamascus.Onlyhishabitofnevergivinguponanythinghehadbe-gunandhisinabilitytoevermouththewords“Iquit,”pushedhimontoNazareth.AlthoughHafid’s delivery had improvedwith each presentation, theNazareth speech, itself, was not memorable. However, sitting in thesecondrowofbenches, listeningattentively toeveryword,wasanoldand respected friend, Sergius Paulus, longtime Roman governor of theislandofCyprus,whosmiledandnoddedencouraginglythroughoutthespeech and was on his feet, applauding loudly, as soon as Hafid haddeliveredhisclosingremarks.AfterHafidhadrespondedtothefinalquestionfromhisaudience,thetwooldfriendsascendedthestairwayoftheinn,arminarm,followed

byGalenusandErasmus.Sergius litoil lamps in thedark roombeforebeckoninghisgueststoenter.“This is not quite comparable to any of the rooms inmy palace inPaphos,” he smiled as he embracedHafid again, “but just seeing you,greatsalesman,andyourtrustedcomrade,Erasmus,issufficientluxuryforme.Howlonghasitbeen?”heaskedashepouredwinefromalargeleatherflaskintofourgoblets.“Nearlytwentyyears,governor,butyehavenotagedasingleday.”“Ah ha, even the greatest salesman sometimes strains at the truth,”Sergius repliedandwhile theysipped theirwineErasmusrecounted toGalenus the many happy and profitable year of trade that had takenplacebetweenthecaravansofHafidandthepeopleofCyprus.Finally,Hafidaskedthequestionthathadbeenonhismindsincehehad first glimpsed Sergius in the audience. What was the esteemedgovernoroftheislandofCyprusdoingsofarfromhisterritoryandwhywasheinsuchaforlornlittlevillageasNazareth?“Inaway,Hafid,youaretoblameformybeinghere.DoesthenameSaulorPaulofTarsusmeananythingtoyou?”“Ofcourse.Alittlepreacherwithabigvoice.HewastryingtosellanewreligiontothepeoplebasedontheteachingsofamancalledJesuswho had been crucified by Pontius Pilate for sedition against Rome. Imet Paul when everyone had turned against him and his life was indanger.Hecametome,heclaimed,afterhearingavoicewhileprayingin the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.That voicehad toldhim that if hewantedtosellhisbeliefstoothersheshouldlearnhowtodosofromthegreatestsalesmanintheworld.”“Andyouagreedtohelphim?”“Yes.”Sergius nodded and smiled. “You must have provided excellenttraining. Paul had the courage to come to Cyprus and ask for anaudiencewithme,onthestrengthofhisfriendshipwithyou.Twodayslaterhehadconvertedmetohis faith. Ihavebeena followerofJesuseversince.”“You?ARoman?”“Yes. Imaybe the first for all I know.Didnot the littleman try toconvert you after youhadprovidedhimwith such valuable advice onsellingideasaseasilyasmerchandise?”

“No. He departed that same night and I have never seen him sincealthough he has written to me often, through the years. But you stillhaven’texplained,Sergius,whyyouarehereinthisGodforsakenplace.”The governor laughed. “God-forsaken?Hardly. I finally decided that

myhourglassoflifeisalmostfilledandIwantedtowalkinthefootstepsofJesus,hereinPalestine,beforeIdie.IleftthegovernmentofCyprusinablehandsandhavetakenathree-monthleaveinordertoseewhatIcouldoftheworldwhereJesuslivedandtouchedsomanylives.”“ButofwhatsignificanceisNazareth?”“Jesusspenthisyouthandgrewtomanhoodhere,assistinghisfather

inasmallcarpentershop.…”“Buthewasnotbornhere,”interruptedHafid.Sergiuspaled.“Howdoyouknowthatifyouarenotafollower?”“BecauseIwaswiththeinfantJesus,soonafterhisbirth,inastablein

Bethlehem.”Shockedatwhathehadheard,Sergiusplacedbothhishandsonhis

mouthandwaitedforHafidtocontinue.“I was a camel boy for the great caravan of Pathros but had spent

threedifficultdaysinBethlehemtryingtosellasingleseamlessredrobethatPathroshadchallengedmetosellinordertoprovethatIshouldbepromotedfromcamelboytosalesman.Bytheeveningofthethirdday,after failingtosell thegarmenthundredsof times, Iatesomebread intheinnandthenwentbehindthatbuildingtoacavewheremyanimalwastied.BecauseofthechillintheairIhaddecidedtosleeponthehay,nexttomybeloveddonkey,ratherthanrideintothehills.Afteragoodnight’srestIwouldbeprepared,onthemorrow,toexertsupremeeffortto sell the robe and Iwas certain Iwould finally succeed. Butwhen IenteredthestableIcameuponayoungmanandwomansittingclosetoasinglecandleandattheirfeetwastheopenboxthatusuallyheldcattlefodder.InthatmangerwasaninfantsleepingonsomestrawandIcouldseethatthebabyhadlittleprotectionfromthecoldexceptthetatteredcloaksofthemotherandfatherthatcoveredhim.”“Whatdidyoudo?”Hafidclenchedhishandstogetherandinhaleddeeply.“Iagonizedfor

severalmoments,picturingalltheterribleconsequencesofmyreturningtothecaravanwithouttherobe,orcoinsfromitssale.FinallyIremoveditfromthebackofmyanimalandwrappeditcarefullyaroundthebaby

afterhandingtheworngarmentsbacktoashockedmotherandfather.Youknow,Sergius, itwasalmost fiftyyearsagoandyet Icanstill seethatlovelyyoungmothersobbingwithgratitudeasshecamecloseandkissedmycheek.”Hafid stood and began pacing back and forth, his hands behind hisbackwhilehisaudienceofthreelistenedattentively.“Irodebacktothecaravanabrokenchild.IhadfailedinmymissionandnowIwascertainthatIwouldbeashovelerofcameldungforever.Headbowed,intotaldefeat,Ifailedeventonoticethebrightstarthathadfollowedmealltheway fromBethlehemback to the campsite of the caravanbutPathros,mymaster,did.Hewaswaitingforme,despitethelatehour,attheedgeof our row of tents, pointing up at the brightly lit sky and askingmewhatwondrousdeedIhadbeenapartof,andItoldhimnone.However,helookeduponthebrightstarasaspecialsignfromGodandpassedonto me the ten scrolls of success that I used, throughout my days, toachievemore of the good things of this life than anypersondeserves.Furthermore,IwascommandedbyPathrosnottosharethescrollswithanyone until someday, he said, when I would be given a special signfromthepersonwhowasnexttoreceivethescrolls,eventhoughitwaspossible thatpersonwouldnot realize thatheor shewaspresentingasigntome.”Sergius smiled. “And the personwho eventually received the scrollsfromyouwasPaul?”“Itwas.ThreeyearsafterIhaddisbandedmytradeempire.BythenIhadalmostdespairedofeverpassingthemontoanyone.”“HowdidyouknowitwasPaulwhowastoreceivethescrolls?Whatwasthespecialsign?”“InhisknapsackwasaredseamlessrobethathesaidwasthefavoriteofJesusandhadbeenwornbyhimthroughouthislifetime.ThereweredarkbloodstainsonitfromthewhippingsthatJesushadsufferedbeforehewascrucified.Tomyastonishment,nearthehemoftherobeIfoundthe familiarmark of the guild that hadmade these popular robes forPathrosandIalso foundthemarkofPathros,acirclewithinasquare.Still uncertain ofwhat I was holding inmy hands, I asked Paul if heknew any of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus and hethenrelatedtomethatJesushadbeenborninastableinBethlehemandabove the stable had shone the brightest star that man had ever

witnessed.ThenIknewthattherobeinPaul’spossessionwastheverysamerobeIhadwrappedaroundthesmallbodyofJesusonthatfatefulnight.Thatwasall thesignIneeded.Erasmus,whowaspresentatmymeetingwithPaul,wenttothetowerinmypalacewherethescrollsofsuccesshadbeenstoredforsafekeepingandwepresentedthemtoPaulwithourlove.”“The wisdom on those scrolls must have been very powerful,” said

Sergius.“Myrepresentatives report thatPaulhasenjoyedgreat successwinning converts in the cities of Pisidia, Lycaonia, Perga, Antioch,Iconium,Lystra,andcountlessmore.”“Iamnotsurprised,”repliedHafid.Sergius drained his wine goblet and asked, “Where is your next

speakingappearance?”“No more are scheduled for the present. We three shall return to

Damascustomorrowandafterafewdaysweshallmeetandattempttoevaluatethisentirespeakingexperiencebeforedecidingwhetherornotthereisafutureformeontheplatformtryingtoaffectpeople’slivesforthebetter.”“Would you be willing to remain in Nazareth yet another day if I

providedyouwithastrongenoughreason?”Hafidstudiedthe lined faceofhis friend forseveralmomentsbefore

noddinghishead.The old governor grasped both of Hafid’s hands and said, “Great

salesman, on themorrow youwillmeet, once again, thewomanwhokissed thecheekof theyoungcamelboy in that stable, somanyyearsago!”

IV

ThetwooldfriendsmetonthefollowingmorningatNazareth’sonlywell,locatedinanopenspaceonthesideofthemainroadnearthecenterof town.Dust filled theair alongwithhoarse shouts, cries, andlaughterasa long lineofwomenandchildrenwaited their turn to filljarsandpitchersattheopentrough.Hafidwatchedwithgreat interestwhenahuge tradecaravanhalted

near thewater supply and several camel boys filled and refilledwidestonecasksmanytimesbeforetheirthirstyanimalsweresatisfied.Sergius nudged his friend. “Was that once your chore when you

laboredinthecaravansofPathros?”“Thatwasoneofmymorepleasantduties.”Hafidsmiledasthesmelly

animalslumberedpastonthenarrowcobblestonestreet.The twomenwaited patiently until therewas an open space at the

stonetankbeforetheydippedtheirhandsintothecoolwateranddrank.“Jesusandhismothercameheredaily,”Sergiussaidwithreverence.Hafid smiled sympathetically at his old friend’s pious treatment of

suchacommonanddirtypublicwellsharedbybothhumanandanimal.“Andhewalkedonthesecobblestonesandbreathedthisairandplayedinthosefields,”herepliedinjest,butSergiusdidnotreturnhissmile.“Yes,”thegovernorsaidsoftly.“Hespentnearlythirtyyearsofhislife

hereworking at his father’s tradewith saw and hammer and plane. Ihavealreadypurchasedsomefurniturefromthevillagerswhichtheytellmewasfashionedbyhishands.WhenIreturntoCyprusIshallhaveaspecialroompreparedforitinthepalace.”Theyhadalmost reached theopencountrysidebeforeSergius finally

stopped and pointed to a small square limestone house nearly hiddenbeneath twopomegranate trees.“That iswhereJesus livedmostofhislife.Hiscarpentershopisnomorethanasmallroomintherear.”“Perhapsweshouldnotdisturbtheoldwoman,”HafidsaidasSergius

hurried along the weed-strewn path until theywere at the front doorwhichwassorelyinneedofpaint.

ThegovernorpattedHafid’sarm.“Itwillbeallright.Duringthepastweek IhavevisitedwithMarymany times andwehavebecomegoodfriends. Early this morning I notified her, by messenger, that I wasbringingyoutoday.”Hafid inhaleddeeply.“Youremindedherofour long-agomeeting inthatstableinBethlehem?”“Ohno, thatwouldspoilmysurprise. Imerely sentword that Iwasbringing an old friend. Your presencewill not upset her. She toldmethat she has become accustomed to strangers, most of them wellmeaning,whowanttoseeandspeakwiththemotherofJesus.”“Doesshelivealone?”“Yes.Shehasbeenawidowformanyyearsandallherchildrenareeitherdeadorlivingelsewhere.Herson,James,visitsheroftenalthoughhisdaysarefillednowthatheisheadofanewchurchinJerusalem.”Sergiushadknockedonly twicebefore thedoor swungopenquietlyonitsoldleatherhinges.“Peacebetothee,belovedlady,”saidSergiusashegentlygraspedtheelderlywoman’sextendedhandandtoucheditlightlytohislips.“Andtothee,Sergius,”shesaid,smilingwarmlyatHafidwhenhewasintroduced.She served themtallgobletsofgoat’smilkandcheeseandplacedalargetrayofpomegranatesandfigswithintheirreachastheytalked ofmany things concerning the village. Hafidwas entranced byMary’slargeolive-shapedeyesandhernearlyjetblackhairalthoughhewascertainthatshewasatleasttenyearshissenior.Evenher voice beliedher age. “You spoke last evening at the inn?”sheaskedasshetiltedherheadtowardHafid.“IdidbutIfearthatIwasnotmuchofasuccess.”“Howdoyouknow?”“Therewaslittlereactionfromtheaudience.IfSergius,here,hadnotledtheapplauseIdoubttherewouldhavebeenany.”Mary smiled faintly. “At least they didn’t threaten your life. JesusspokeonlyoncehereinNazareth,inthesynagogueashewastryingtodecide what course to take with his life following forty days ofmeditationhehadspentinthedesert.Hiswords,thatSabbathmorning,so infuriated the people that they seized him and led him up to thetallest cliff but before they could cast him to the rocks below, heescaped.”

“That I did not know,” exclaimed Sergius. “These were the samepeoplewhohadgrownupwithhim,playedwithhim,attendedschoolwithhim?”“Thesame,”saidMary.“Mostcouldnotunderstandwhytheir friendandneighbor,thecarpenter,wassuddenlyspeakingasifhehadspecialauthorityfromGod.Tothemthiswasblasphemywhichunderourlawispunishablebydeath.”“Andthatwashisfirstpublicspeechanywhere?”“Itwas…andformuchofthatmorningIwasconvinceditwouldbehislast.”SergiusturnedtoHafid.“Thesestoriesmustbepreservedbutnoone,tomyknowledge,haswrittenthemdownasyet.Howsad.”The governor redirected his attention toward Mary, and Hafidwatched,entranced,asoneofthemostpowerfulofficialsintheRomanempire addressed the oldwomanwith a tenderness and respect HafidhadneverwitnessedinSergiusbefore.“HowdidJesusdealwithhisfrighteningreceptionandtreatment?”“He put it out of his mind and was preaching, on the followingSabbath, in the synagogue of nearby Capernaum. The people therereceivedhimwith loveandattention.Later,whenwe talkedabouthisterrible experience here, I remember he just smiled and said that heshouldhaveknownthatnoprophethathanyhonorinhisowncountry.”Sergiustiltedhisheadbackandclosedhiseyes.“Thesestoriesmustbewrittendown,theymust!”HafidwaiteduntilMaryhadrefilledhisglasswithcoolmilk.Thenhesaid, “From what little I know of Jesus, I understand that he neverpreachedoutsideofPalestine.Ashismotheryoumusthavehadmanyopportunitiestohearyoursonandhismessage.”Marynodded.“Inthebeginning,ashewasbuildinghisfollowingandteachinghisapostles,Iheardhimoften.ButwhentheSanhedrinandtheRoman governor began to send agents to spy onmy son’s actions andwords, he insisted that I return and remain here, out of harm’s way.Morethanonce,wheneverheandhispeoplepassedthroughNazareth,hewouldsitandholdmyhandandtrytopreparemeforwhatwastocome.”Marybitonherlowerlipandturnedherheadaway.SergiusglancedatHafidandnodded.Nowwas the time.Thegovernor leaned forward

andplacedhishandgentlyonthewoman’sback.“Blessedlady,Ihavesomethingspecialtotellyou.”“Yes,Sergius.”“Thisoldfriendofmine,Hafid,accompaniedmeheretodaybecause

hewantedverymuchtoseeyouagain.”“Again?”Mary frownedandcockedherhead.“Ever sincehewalked

inthatdoorIwascertainthatIknewhimbutwhennothingwassaidImerely considered it a faultofmyoldage.Wehavemetbefore, greatsalesman?”“Onlyonce,manyyearsago,Mary.”The mother of Jesus pulled her shawl down around her neck and

leanedacrossthetabletowardHafid.WithoutspeakingheleanedclosertoherandMary’shandsreachedupuntiltheywerecoveringbothsidesofhisface.Sheranherfingersdownhischeeksandsaid,“Wasitbeforethislovelybeardcoveredyourface?”“Longbeforethen.”Mary’srightthumbsoftlycaressedthedeepcleftinHafid’schinasshe

stared into his grey eyes that were now moist. Suddenly she turnedtoward Sergius, mouth ajar, with tears streaming down her wrinkledcheeksandherhandsstillonthegreatsalesman’sface.“I know him,” she sobbed. “I felt something special in his manner

sincethemomenthepassedthroughmydoorway.Iknowhim,Sergius!Thisisanothermiracle!”“Andwhoishe?”Sergiussmiledlovingly.MarydrewHafid’sfacecloserandkissedhimgentlyonthecheek.“He

ismylittleangelonadonkey.InthedampstableinBethlehem,onlyafew hours after Jesus was born, he appeared from the shadows andwrappedmybabyinawarmredrobe.Thenherodeoff intothenightandIneverhadtheopportunitytothankhim.”Hafid touched his cheek and said softly. “You did thank me. You

kissedmethen,asyoudidnow,andmylifechangedthatnight.”“And now, perhaps it will change again,” she said as she rose and

went to a large trunk in the far corner of the room. She removed aleathersackfromtheboxandwhenshereturnedtothetablesheplacedthe sack inHafid’s arms. “This isyours,preciousman.Hewouldhavewantedyoutohaveit.”WhileSergiusPauluskneltsilentlynearhisfriend’schair,Hafidslowly

withdrewtheredrobethathadbeenthefavoriteofJesusfromthebag.Againhefoughtbacktearsasherubbedhishandsgentlyoverthesoftredfabric.“ThelasttimeIsawthisitwasinthepossessionofPaul.Hetoldme that aftermuch searching, in Jerusalem, he found theRomansoldier who had won it in a game of dice after … afterthe…crucifixion.”Marynodded.“Paulreturnedtherobetomeseveralyearsago.Therewere bloodstains on one side from the whippings that Jesus receivedbeforetheykilledhimandIcouldnotbearlookingatthemsoIsoakeditformanyhoursinalightsolutionoflye.”Hafid continued to stroke the garment. “What remarkablecraftsmanship!Lookhowthecolorhasnotfadedandtheweaveisfrayedonlyalongonesideaftermorethanfiftyyears!Amazing!”“Jesusworeitforalloccasions,especiallywheneverhewastoappearbeforelargecrowds.Hesaidthatnexttohisprayers,feelingthatrobeonhis shoulders gave him all the confidence he needed to dealwith anysituation.Perhapsitwilldothesameforyou.Didyounotsaythattherewaslittlereaction,fromthecrowd,toyourwordslastnight?”Hafid folded the robe and handed it toMary. “I cannot accept thispriceless garment. It should be on display in some great place ofworship, for all the world to see, certainly not draped around myundeservingshoulders.”“Please,” said Mary, placing her small hand over Hafid’s. “Takeit…andwearit.WhenJesuswasachildIoftentoldhimthestoryofhow another little boy visited him, soon after he was born, andpresentedhimwith this robe tokeephimwarm. Itwas thebestway Iknewtoteachhimthetruemeaningoflove—whenonegivesallonecangive to help another,with no thought of any reward.He learned thatlessonwell,thankstoyou.Youcannotbelieve,greatsalesman,thatjustcoincidencehasreunitedyouandthisrobeafteralltheseyears.Makeanoldladyhappyandacceptit.Ihavemanyotherpossessionsofmysontokeepmecompanyaswellasyearsoflovingmemories.Atlonglasttherobehasbeenreturnedtoitsrightfulowner.”“I shall never forget this day,” sobbed Hafid as he raised the redgarmentandhelditsoftlyagainsthismoistcheeks.

V

Both men were silent, deep in their own thoughts, followingtheirdeparture from thehouseofMary. Sergiushalted, after theyhadreachedthemainroad,andturnedtohisfriend.“Iammostgratefulforyourcompanythisday.”“Saynomore,”protestedthegreatsalesman,holdingupthesackthat

contained the robe of Jesus. “It is my heart that overflows withgratitude.”“Areyoutired?”Hafidshookhishead.“Willtheybeexpectingyoubackatyourelegantwagonsoon?”“No. I told Erasmus that I might be gone the entire day. He and

Galenus are probably busy doing their bookkeeping and satisfying allourobligationsfromlastnight’sspeech.”Sergius turned, pointing above his head to a steep hill that rose

abruptlyabovethesideoftheroadtotheirright.“ThisisthetallesthillinallofNazareth,Iamtold.Seethatlargefigtreeontheverytop?”Hafidshadedthesunfromhiseyeswithbothhands.“Yes.”“Do you suppose that ancient body of yours might be capable of

climbingupthere,ifIprovidedsomehelp?”“Roman arrogance never truly disappears, does it?”mutteredHafid.

“Ifyoucanmanagetheascent,I’mcertainthatIcanalsomakeit…andwithout any assistance. Butwhy should Iwant to struggle up throughfields of thistles and loose stones in order to sit under a miserableuncultivatedfigtreewhenIhaveseveralgrovesofthem,boththeearlyandlatevariety,backinDamascus?”Sergiusgrinned. “Butnot like thatone,mightymerchant.Yesterday,

afterIhadvisitedwithMary,sheaccompaniedmebacktothewellandwhenwepassed thisplace she lookedupat that solitary treeand toldmethatitwastherethatJesuswent,fromthetimehewasveryyoung,wheneverhewantedtobealone.See,toourright,thenarrowpaththatleadstothetop.Iwouldhavegoneupyesterdaybutthesunwasalready

settingwhenIpartedfromMaryandfurthermoreIdidnotwishtomissyour speech. Would ye be willing to climb up there with me now? Iunderstandtheviewiswellworththestruggletoreachthepinnacle.”“Lead theway,”Hafid criedoutashehoisted the leatherbag tohisshoulderandfellinbehindSergius.Bothwereperspiringandbreathingheavily by the time they had reached the summit that was bare ofvegetationexceptforthesolitaryfigtreeandsmallthreadsofmossthatpartiallycovered theslopesofgreyrock.Hafid leanedhis sackagainstthe tree trunk before easing his weary body onto the smooth stonesurfacenexttoSergius.Attheirfeet,farbelow,laythevillageofNazarethwithitsstragglinghousesofwhitelimestone,greenmeadows,anddarkbrowngardens.Anarrow highway divided the town almost equally, leading south toJerusalem and north to Damascus. Hafid nodded and smiled whenSergius pointed to the gathering of tiny figures still milling about thewell.To the west was Mount Carmel and beyond it they could see mistrising from thewaters of theMediterranean. Bothmen turned slowly,their mouths half open in awe, as they gazed at the wide plain ofEsdraelon, Mount Tabor, the dark hills of Samaria, and the hazymountainsofGilead.TheSeaofGalileeglistenedbrightlytotheeastandfartothesouththegreenvalleyoftheJordanseemedtochangecolorsbefore their eyes.A light breeze noisily rustled the huge leaves of theancientfigtreeabovethemwhilefaroff, inthecloudlesscobaltsky,asolitaryeaglecircledslowly,itswingsfullyextendedbutmotionless.Hafid was the first to break the strange silence of the hill but hiswordswerespokensoslowlyitwasalmostasifhewereinatrance.“AsmanyyearsasIhavelived,IampositivethatneverbeforehaveIbeenatsuchanelevationwithsomuchoftheworldatmyfeet.Itiseasytounderstand why Jesus came here often. One’s cares and problems allremain behind, down there,” he said gesturing at the village, “and ifthereisaGodIimagineitwouldbemucheasiertocommunicatewithhimfromthisheight.”Sergiuspointedfartothenorthtowardthestatelysnow-coveredcrestofMountHermon, nearly twodays’ journey away and yet dominatingthehorizon.“GodspoketoJesus,once,onthathighmountain.”“OnHermon?Youhaveproofofthat?”

“Threeofhisclosestapostleswerewitnesses.”“AndwhatdidGodsay?”“Thisismybelovedson;hearhim.”“Thatisall?”“Thatiseverything,”saidSergius,smiling.“Andyoubelievesuchareportfromhisthreeclosestfriends?”“Enough so I have had a small home erected, on thatmountain, asneartotheplacewherethethreereportedhearingGod’svoiceasitwaspossible to build. I keep the place well stocked with food, have acaretakerinresidencethroughtheentireyear,andtrytoatleastspendafortnightthereeverysummer.ManytimesIhavebeentemptedtoinviteyoutocomesharethatspecialpeaceandtranquilitywithmebutIknewyou were in seclusion since your loss of Lisha and I did not want todisturbyou.NowIwouldbemosthonoredifyouacceptedmyinvitationtovisit there.BringErasmus.Remain in thatblessed retreatas longasyouwish,please.BeforewepartIshalldrawyouamapsothatyoucaneasilylocatemyhaven.Itislessthanaday’stravelfromyourpalaceinDamascus.”“AndhasGodalsospokentoyou,onthathighplace?”“No,butIusuallytalktohimduringmyentirestay.”Hafidsighedandshookhishead,raisingtheleathersackthatheldtherobeofJesushighabovehishead.“Withyourlovingandtrustingfaith,Sergius,thisrobeshouldbeinyourpossession,notmine.”“Oh, no,” replied Sergius, raising his hands. “The mother of Jesusknewexactlywhatshewasdoing.Therobeisingoodhands.ItisGod’swill.”Hafidroseandstoodwithhandsonhips,staringatMountHermon.“IfGodwere to speak tome, Sergius, what do you believe hemight sayaboutthisnewcareeronwhichIhaveperhapsfoolishlyembarkedatmyage?”Sergius locked the fingersofhishands together, closedhis eyes andbowedhishead.AfterseveralmomentshelookedupatHafidandwhenhespokehisvoicehadadeeperresonancethanusual.“I would never presume to speak for God, great salesman, but Iimagine he would first congratulate you on your decision to removethyself from the living dead. To devote the remainder of your days tohelpingothers,throughyoursageadviceandwiselessonsonsuccess,is

mostlaudable,however…”Hafidturnedandlookeddownathisfriend,waiting.“…however,ifyourspeechlastnightwasyourusualpresentation,as

excellent as it was I believe it needs somethingmore. For many whocometohearyou,yourreputationandgreatwealthareusuallyknownandwhile theymaybe impressedbyyourpresenceandyourdelivery,thereisastrongpossibilitythattheyarelisteningtoyourwordswithaclosed mind … a mind that tells them they could never, neveraccomplishwhatyouhaveaccomplished.Howdoyouopentheirminds?You can do that only by making them aware of your humblebackground, the struggles of your youth, and the handicaps youovercameinordertomakeyourdreamscometrue.”“AndhowwillIaccomplishthis?”“Byusing the strongestofwords topaint scenes in theirminds they

willneverforget.Letthemsmellthecameldungyoushoveled,letthemsee your tears of heartbreak, let them agonize over the failures yousufferedasyouwerestrugglingtobuildabetterlife.Makethemdepartfrom your speech thinking, ‘If Hafidwas able to accomplish somuch,with his lowly beginning, thenwhy am I,with somuchmore, feelingsorryformyconditioninlife?’SinceIdoubtthatyouevermentionyourearly heartaches and struggles in your presentations, Hafid, youprobablyappear to those inyouraudience like somepersonof royaltywhowasbornwithasilverspooninhismouthandhasalwaysenjoyedgreat wealth and success. How can a small merchant or farmer, whomuststruggleeverydaymerelytoputfoodonthetableforhisfamily,acceptyourmessageasaguidetochangehislifeforthebetterwhenhedoes not realize that once you faced the same predicaments as he isfacingandwerevictorious?”“Thatisexcellentadvice,Sergius,andIshallheedit.Anymore?”Sergius opened his mouth but he lowered his eyes and remained

silent.“Please,”encouragedHafid.“Weareascloseasbrothers.Speakyour

mind.Helpme.”“Isthereamplegoldstillinyourtreasury?”“MorethanErasmusandIshalleverneed.Evennowwearefeeding

andclothingmultitudes,eachday,inDamascus.”“AsIexpected.Hafid,thereisasayingthatissoolditssourceislost

inantiquity.‘Giveamanafishandyoufeedhimforaday.Teachhimhowtofishandyoufeedhimforalifetime.’”Hafid loweredhimself tohis knees, next to Sergius, andgraspedhisarm. “I am not certain that I understand how thosewords ofwisdomrelatetome.”“Likeallotherorators,youarechargingadmissionforyourspeechesand so thosewhoneed yourmessage themost do not hear it becausetheyaretoopoortoattend.Theyarethesamepeopleyounowfeedandclothe. Change your procedure. Place your promoter, Galenus, on aweeklysalaryinsteadofhiscommissionandsendhimoutintotheworldwith sufficient funds so thathe canhire the largestpossible forum foryou in every city. Instruct him, also, to recruit and paywell asmanytownspeopleashis experiencedictates to spread thewordas towherethe greatest salesman in the world will speak, at what time, andannouncethatadmissionisfree!”“Free?Therewillbemanywhowillattendonlytobeentertainedortopassthetimeofdaywithnothoughtof learninghowtoimprovetheirlotinlife.”“Youarecorrect,withoutadoubt.Manymenofgreat intellect insistthatunlessonehastopayorworkhardforsomething,oneneverfullyappreciatesit.However,forallofthoseinyouraudiencesonwhomyourwordswillprobablybewasted,justimaginehowsatisfyingitwouldbetoyouifyoulearnedthattherewasatleastonepoorcamelboyorstreeturchininthecrowdwhoselifemightcommencetotakeanupwardpathbecauseofyourwords.Iknowhowmuchyouwanttochangetheworldfor the better, my friend, but you must remember one thing … onesimpletruth.”“Andwhatisthat?”“Whatyouwishcanonlybeaccomplishedbychangingonepersonatatime.”Hafidleanedforwardandembracedhisbelovedfriend.“Thankyou.IfGodhadspoken,hecouldnothavesaiditbetter.”

VI

The SuccessCaravan, its nameboldly painted in red and goldlettering on all twelve of its baggage wagons, in Latin, Greek, andHebrew, was encamped in an open meadow near the heart of Rome.Insidethelargestofmanytentsthatencircledthewagons,Hafidraisedhis wineglass toward the goblets of Erasmus and Galenus. “To ourgreatestvictory,”heannouncedproudly.“Itwas,indeed,anighttoremember,”sighedErasmus.Illuminated bymore than two hundred oil torches, installed around

the raised stage and along the aisles of Pompey’s magnificent theaterthat Augustus had later rebuilt, Hafid had delivered his words ofinspiration to a record throng of more than eighteen thousandenthusiasticcitizensofRomeearlierintheevening.ClutchingthefrayedredrobeofJesus,thathehadwornoneveryspeechsincehislong-agovisit toNazareth,Hafidhad joyfullyacknowledgedtherousingovationthatfollowedhisclosingremarksforalmostanhour.Thegreatsalesmansippedonhiswineandsaid,“Galenus, Ishallbe

forevergratefultoyouforconvincingmetodeliverthesespeechesintheeveningrather thanatmiddayasdoall theothers.Thosewearemosttrying to reach, the less affluent laborers and small merchants of thecity,couldnotpossiblyattendatanyothertime.Manyhavebeenheardto say that never before, in their entire lives, have they had theopportunitytohearaspeaker.”“Youweremagnificent thisevening,sire,”repliedGalenus,“andyou

seemedtohandlethelanguagelikeanative.”“Thank you.Myonly regret is that Sergius Paulus could not attend.

Now thathehas retired fromoffice and returnedhere toRome, I hadlookedforwardtohavinghimwithusonthistriumphalnight;however,I pray that he recovers from his illness. I shall dispatch a messagenotifyinghimofourgreat successandhewillbemostpleased.Had itnotbeenforhissageadvice,morethanfifteenyearsago,wewouldnotbe here tonight and I probably would have joined my beloved Lisha,

longago,inourfinalrestingplace.”Galenus nodded. “I can still recall our early days with but a singlewagon.Nowourcaravanhasalmostgrowntothesizeofthoseemployedby you during your busiest trade years. Besides our wagons we havesixteencamels anddriversplus eight armedguardswith theirmounts,twocooks,adozenhelpers,andmorethanfortyhorsestoproperlymoveus fromcity tocity.Not tomention the fleetof tenvessels that itwasnecessary tocharter inorder to transportallofus,ourequipmentandour animals, from our previous engagement in Athens. We havestraddledtheworld,sire,bringingyourmessage,withoutcharge,tothecommonpeopleofAlexandria,Memphis,Jerusalem,Babylon,Baghdad,Nineveh, Aleppo, Edessa, Antioch, Ephesus, Smyrna, Sparta, Athens,hundredsofsmallercities,andnow,thecapitaloftheworld,Rome.Andwhen I hear how the people react to your words, I know you aretouchingthousandsoflives.”Erasmussaid,“Truly, itdoesnot seem like fifteenyearshavepassedsince that chance meeting between the master and Sergius Paulus inNazareth.”“I donot believe thatwas a chancemeeting,” saidHafid. “Tome itwasjustanotherexampleofGodplayingchesswithmeashehasdonesoofteninmylife.Iamconvincedthatoccasionallyheintercedesinallofourlivesandcausesthingstohappen.Thenhewaitstoseehowwedeal with his move. Some react in a manner that will enhance theirfuture.Othersmayfightbackwithangeranddespair.Andthentherearethosewhoactnotatall.Theyarethelivingdeadandwehavemanyofthoseamongus,spendingtheirdayswhiningandcomplainingandnevermakinganyattempttochangetheirlivesforthebetter.That iswhy Idevote somuchofmy talk to teaching thepoorand thedowntrodden, the weak and the handicapped, how to deal with anymove thatconfronts them,always reminding these strugglingmembersof humanity that while God does challenge us, he wants us all to bevictorious. I’m trying to teach them how to win and nothing is moresatisfying tome than to return to a city, years later, and listen to thesuccessstoriesthatbeganwhensomeoneheardmywordsandtookthemtoheart.”“Andnow,”Erasmussaidhesitantly,“wearestrangersonRomansoilwheretheemperoractuallybelievesheisagodwhocontrolsthelivesof

all his subjects fromhis palace of gold.We can be certain therewerespies in our audience, tonight, checking as to whether there was anydangerofHafid’swordsincitingthemassesjustasthefollowersofJesuswere accused of doing with their songs of a kingdom to come and akingdom within. Nero even blamed them for starting the greatconflagrationlastyearandthosewhowerenotarrestedandexecutedinthearenaarestillhidinginthecatacombsbeneaththecity.Theirfaith,I’mafraid,hashadaterribleprice.”“Iwonder,”saidHafidsmiling,“howNerowouldreactifheknewthattherobeIwear,whenIspeak,belongedtoJesus.”“Please,sire,”Erasmuspleadedsoftly,“letthatbeourlittlesecret.”The sentry standing guard outside the big tent leaned through theopeningandannouncedthatHafidhadavisitor.“Bidhimenter!”shoutedHafidasherefilledthewineglasses.Theirguestworeadarkbluetunic,tiedatthewaistwithcordandcutlowtotheground.Hislongbrownhairwasstreakedwithgreyandhistanned face was etchedwith deepwrinkles,When he spoke his voicewasfriendlyandstrong.“Grace be to you, and peace. My name is Luke and I come with amessageforthegreatestsalesmanintheworldfromhisoldfriend,PaulofTarsus.”Hafidleapedtohisfeet.“Paulishere,hereinRome?”“HeisaprisonerinthePraetorium,awaitingtrial.”“That cannot be,” protestedHafid. “Hismost recent letter containedthegoodnewsthathehadfinallybeenfreedfor lackofevidenceaftersufferinginchainsforfouryearsinCaesareaandRome.”“He has been arrested again and this time they claim to havewitnesseswhowilltestifythatPaulwasheardproclaimingthatJesusisking.UnderRomanlaw,torecognizeanyotherauthoritybutCaesarisacrimepunishablebydeath.”“IsthereanythingIcando?”askedHafid.“Tellme,please.”“Since his arrest, this time, Paul seems to have lost hiswill to live.Mostofhis friendsand followershavedesertedhimandhe just sits inhiscell,sayinglittleandeatingonlyscrapsofdriedbread.IhadfearedforhishealthuntilthismorningwhenIinformedhimthatbannerswereflyingalongtheAppianWayproclaimingyourappearanceatPompey’sTheater.Onlyafterheheardyourname, sire,didhecommenceacting

likethemanIhaveservedforsolong.Hesendsyouhislove,illustrioussalesman, welcomes you to Rome, and begs that you visit him at theprison. Sincewe have no information as towhen Paulwill be tried, Ihopethatyouwillseehimsoon.”“Anytime,”saidHafidwithouthesitation.“Whencanyoutakeme?”“Therearenodaysandnightsinthedarkcellsofthathatedplace.I

amtrustedbytheofficersthere.Wecangoevennowifyouarenottooweary.”Erasmuswas frowningatLuke. “Themaster forgets, veryoften, that

he is nearly seventy-five years old. His performance, this night, hasdrainedmuchofhisenergyandheshouldbeinbed.”“No,” saidHafid. “Iamnever too tired if thatmanofGod iscalling

me.Takemenow,Luke.”Astheywereleaving,Hafidstoppedathisopenclothesclosetnearthe

centerpole.HereachedinandremovedtherobeofJesus,tossingitoverhis shoulders as he stepped outside. “Perhaps seeing this special andblessedgarment,again,”heexplainedtoLuke,“willliftPaul’sspiritsasitalwaysdoesmine.”The grey and somber prison on Capitaline Hill, near the palace of

Nero, served tohouseonlyprisonerswhohadcommittedgravecrimesagainst the state. It was guarded by a special cohort of veteranlegionaries under the command of the prefect of the entire Praetoriancohort.Noonehadeverescapedfromitscells.LukewasrecognizedbytheofficerinsidethedooronthemainfloorandafterabriefwaitheandHafidwere led down a steep flight of stone steps. The slate floorwasmoistandtherewasadampchillintheairasthetwofollowedthetallguard along a rat-infested corridor until he stopped before a cell andturnedhiskeyinthedoor.“Itwillbenecessarytolockyoubothinwiththeprisoner,”hesaid,“butdonotbeconcerned.Whenyouarepreparedtodepart,merelycalloutandIshallcome.”Heheld thedoorajaruntil bothmenhadentered thedimly lit cell.

Then he allowed it to swing closed and the clashing of iron barsreverberatedthroughoutthelowerfloor.“Luke,”ahoarsevoice called from thedarkest corner. “Luke, is that

you?”“Yes,Paul,andsee…Ihavebroughtafriend!”Thegreatsalesman’seyesweregraduallybecomingaccustomedtothe

shadowy interior of the small cell and yet he felt hands on his armsbeforehesawthefaceofPaul.“Hafid,”thelittlemansobbed,“isityou?Isittrulyyou?Mygreatfriendandbenefactor!Hewhosavedmylifebypresentingmewiththescrollsofsuccess, longago, thatenabledmetosellthemessageofmylordtotheworld!SomanytimesIhavewantedtovisitwithyou, inDamascus,butalwaysmy friendswarnedme thatyouwereinseclusionandsawnoone.Yet,never inmyletterscouldIconveythegreatdebtIowetoyou.Iamsosorrytoseeyouundertheseconditions but I give thanks to God that you came. The years, I ampleasedtonote,havebeenkindtothee.”NowHafidcouldseePaul’semaciated facewhichwasdominatedbytwo large eyes beneath heavy eyebrows and awide, scarred forehead.Hishair,mattedandunkempt,felllooselyoverhisemaciatedcheeksandhistatteredloinclothofferedscantprotectionfromthecold.PaulclungtoHafidaswouldafrightenedchildtohisparent.FinallyLukepointedtoasmallunpaintedtable.“Come,”hesaid,“letussitandtalk.”Paul needed no further encouragement. In response to only a fewquestionsfromhistwovisitors,hespokeatlengthofhislong-agovisionon the road to Damascus and how his life had changed forever. HerecalledhisvisittoHafidandthegiftofthescrolls,hismanyjourneystothegreatcitiesoftheworld,hispreviousimprisonments,hisnearlyfatalshipwreck on the isle of Malta, and his constant battle to spread hismessagetothepeoplebeyondthebordersofPalestinewithonlyafewhelpers and little funds.His voice grew in strength ashe continued totalk but finally it broke and he grinned shyly, suddenly realizing howmuchhehaddominated the conversation. “Forgiveme,dear friends. Ihavebeenaloneheretoolong.Anygoodpreacher,givenanaudienceofanysize,willgoonforeveranyway,isthatnottrue,greatsalesman?”Hafid smiled and shruggedhis shoulders. “Iwouldnot know since Iamnotapreacher.”“Ohho!”exclaimedPaul,turningtoLuke.“Listentothisman!Hafid,whetheryourealizeitornot,youandIareinthesamebusiness.Wearebothfightingtorescuepeople,menandwomen,fromhell.Thehellyouare trying to save them from is here… and now. The hell I want toprotectthemfromistomorrow…andforever.Wearebothstrugglingtoconvincethosewhowilllistenthatlivinginheavenhere,andheavenforeternity,requiresthesamequalitiesofloving,caring,charity,andhard

work.Ihaveneverheardyoudeliveryourfamousspeech,sire,butmyfriends have informed me that the principles of good living that youproclaimcouldjustaseasilyhavebeendeliveredbyMosesorSolomonorIsaiah…orJesus.Yourwords, Iamtold,seemtospringfromyoursoul with great power and they influence theminds and hearts of allwhohearyou.Thatisagreatgift,Hafid.Ionlyregretthatyouarenotinour camp.” He stroked the red robe on Hafid’s back. “But then,” hesmiled,“perhapsyouarewithoutevenrealizingit.”Hafid’s legs were becoming numb from the cold. He rose and

commencedpacingbackand forth in the small cell. “The scrolls that Ipassedontoyou,soverylongago,whathasbecomeofthem?”“All my possessions were lost in that shipwreck last year. I had

managedtokeepthescrollsbymysideforalmostthirtyyears,eveninprisons;however,theoceanfinallyclaimedthem.Allten,however,areasmuchapartofmeasmyeyesormyhands. I can recall and reciteeachscroll,wordforword,andIhavelostcountofthenumberoftimestheysavedmylifebyguidingmeonthecorrectpatheachday.”Hafidwincedandclosedhiseyes,swayingbackonhisheelsas ifhe

hadbeen struck.He turnedhis backonhis two friends and restedhishead wearily against the iron bars. Finally he said softly, “ThosepreciousleatherrollsweresofilledwithpowerandlifethatsomehowIhave always taken it for granted that theywere imperishable. Still, ifthey survived until last year, theywere alreadymore than a hundredyearsoldbymycalculation.Tellme,Paul,didyousharethewisdomofthescrollsateveryopportunity,asIhadinstructed,sothatothersmightbe resurrected from a living death and enjoy a new life filled withhappiness,achievement,andlove?”“Everywhere that my travels took me, great salesman, just as I

promised you. Whenever I managed to convert another, I would alsoteach the principles of the scrolls so that he or she might be betterequippedtocarryforthandsellthetruthtoothers.Duringthepasttenyears, especially, there have been hundreds, perhaps thousands ofcopies, both papyrus and leather,made and circulated throughout theworld…fromJerusalemtoRome.”HafidreachedoutandstrokedPaul’smattedhairwithbothhishands.

“Youhavetraveledfarbeyondtheextramile,greatmessenger. Insteadofthisvilehomeforrodents,mankindshouldbepayingyouhomagein

a palace of gold and silver. My heart is heavy and I feel so helpless.Whatisaheadforthee?”Paul crossed his arms over his thin bare chest. His voicewas calm.

“The timeofmy finaldeparture, I fear, is athand. I am ready. Ihavefought the good fight and I believe I have finished my course. Luke,here, has been trusted ally and companion formany years and I havefinally convincedhim to transcribewhathehas learned frommeontoparchment.Hehasalmostcompletedthat longtaskaftermanymonthsandnowIhavesomehopethatmymessagemightoutliveme.Andyou,Hafid, have your principles of success, your golden thoughts, beenwrittendownsothatgenerationstocomemaycontinuetobenefitfromtheessenceofyourgreatspeech?”“No,notasyet.”“Youmustdoit…andsoon.Weknownotthehourorthedaywhen

Godwillbeckonustojoinhimanditwouldbeagreatlosstotheworldforyoursecretsofachievementandhappinesstobeentombedwiththee.Promisemeyouwillattendtothatandsoon.”HafidforcedasmileandpattedPaul’ssunkencheek.“Ipromise.”Paulnodded.“Andwhenyoudo,pleaseconsiderusingthesameform

asthoseoriginaltenscrollswhichhadsuchagreatinfluenceonbothourlives. I doubt that there has ever been amore powerful technique fortraining anyone to succeed than the system utilized in those scrolls.Combining that method, once more, with your great knowledge willproduceresultsthatarecertaintoworkmiraclesinmanylives.Anddonotwait,Ibegofthee!”The jailor now stoodoutside theprisondoor. Itwas time todepart.

PaulfirstembracedLukeandthensteppedclosetoHafidwhowrappedhisarmsaroundtheapostle’sfrailandhalf-nakedbody.“May the Lord preserve you unto his heavenly kingdom,” Paul said,

inhalingdeeply.“Greatsalesman,IthankGodwhomIserve,forhavingmadeyouapartofmylife.”Paulsteppedbackas thecelldoorswungopenandLukewalkedout

into the hall. The jailorwaited impatientlywhenHafid paused in thedoorway and turned, quickly removing his red robe which he thenwrappedaroundthethinshouldersoftheshiveringapostle.“Staywarm,dearfriend,”saidHafid.“Iloveyou.”“Iloveyou,too.Forever!”

VII

Erasmus fell back as if he had been struck. “I am not certainthatmyoldearsheardcorrectly,master.”Hafid’s voice signaledhisweariness. “I said that itwas very cold in

that terribledungeon, lastnight,andPaulhad little clothing so Igavehimmyrobe.”“Butyouhavedeliveredat leasteighthundredspeeches, throughall

theseyears,withthatoldandworngarmentofJesus’aboutyourperson.ManytimesIhaveheardyousaythattofeelitonyourshouldersliftedyour spirits and filled you with confidence. How will you functionwithoutit,shoulditnotbereturnedintimeforyournextspeech?”Hafidclosedhiseyesandsaid, “Ihave littlehopeofever seeing the

robeagainsinceIfearthatPaul’sdaysarenumbered.Evenhe,whohasspenthislifechallenginggreatodds,hasadmittedthattheendisnear.Lettherobecomfortourbravelittlefriendinhisfinaldays.”“Butcanyouperformwithoutit?”askedGalenusanxiously.“It will not be necessary. I know that both you and Erasmus have

madeplanstocontinuenorthtoPisaandGenoaandpossiblyintoGauland I beg your forgiveness for this sudden decision; however, myspeaking career has ended. Last night was my final act from theplatform.”ErasmusmovedcloserandstareddirectlyintoHafid’seyes.“Areyou

ill,master?ShallIsecureaphysician?”“Haveyoualready forgotten that lastnight Iwas in thecompanyof

Luke, awise and experiencedman ofmedicine?No, Erasmus, I am ingoodhealth.However,Iwasunabletosleep, lastnight,afterreturningfrom that prison. The parting words of Paul weighed heavily on mymindandmyheartandIhavedecidedtofollowhiswiseadvicewhileIstillhavemygoodhealth.”“Idonotunderstand,sire.”“WearediningwithSergiusPaulusandwifeathisvillathisevening,

arewenot?”

“Yes.TheinvitationtoallthreeofuswasdeliveredafteryouandLukehaddepartedfortheprison,lastnight.”“ThenIbegofyou,pleasebepatientforafewmorehoursandIshallmakemyplansforthefutureknowntoall,atthedinner.”Theretiredgovernor’svilla,nestledinthefoothillswestoftheTiber,was not as large as the palace on Cyprus but it contained a spaciousdining roomthathadalreadybecomea favoriteofRome’saristocracy.Itswallswereinlaidwithmother-of-pearlwhilethesilk-coveredceilingcontained hundreds of openings into which fresh cut flowers wereinserted each day.Marble statues of every Caesar stood guard aroundtheroomandinitscenterwasanimmensecircularbronzetableinlaidwithivoryandgold.Therewereonlyfourguestsatdinnerandtheywereclusteredatoneendofthehugetable,twooneachsideofSergiusPaulusandhiswifeofforty years, Cornelia, who smiled frequently but said little during themeal. Joining Hafid, Erasmus, and Galenus was the celebrated poet,essayist,attorney,andorator,Seneca,whooncehadbeenNero’stutor,consul,andvirtualprimeministerformanyyearsbeforeretiringtohisnearbyestateonlyfouryearsago.Hehadpartakenoflittlefood,duringthemany servings, andwhenHafid sympathizedwith his difficulty inbreathinghe replied thathehad suffered fromasthma formanyyearsandnowallhewasdoingwaspracticinghowtodiebytakinglastgulpseverytimeheinhaled.Hafidsaid,“Ihavereadmanyofyourworks,sir,andIamhonoredtobeinthesameroomwithyou.”Seneca’s pale cheeks turned crimson. “That is very kind, mightysalesman, however it is I who am most grateful to the governor forgiving me this opportunity to meet you. I have admired youraccomplishments for decades, first in trade and now in oratory, andnever dreamed that our paths would cross. To have reached the verypinnacleof success in twounrelatedprofessionsasyouhavedone isarare feat and I salute you. Last night I attended your inspiring speechand listened with great interest to your message. I agree with yourphilosophyregardingthebestwaytodealwiththislife.”“Thankyou.”Senecaraisedhishandandnodded.“MostofallIapplaudyourgreathonestywhen you commenced your talk by admitting howmuch you

still had to learn about our world because you were only a smallfragmentinthisinfiniteuniverse.Manyso-calledwisemen,bloatedwitha false sense of worth, never admit that all of us are only fleetingmoments in eternity.Coming fromamanof your stature, thatwas anunusualconfession.”“Iwasonlybeinghonest,”repliedHafid.“Tellme,isittruethatyouarenolongerinvolvedintheaffairsofRomeinanyway?”Senecachuckled.“Istruggledformanyyearstoconvertamonsterintoahumanbeingandobviouslyfailed.AfewyearsagoItransferredmostof my wealth to Nero in exchange for his permission to leavegovernment. Now I spend my days in quiet contemplation as well asputtingasmanyofmythoughtsandconclusionsonparchmentasIcanbeforeourmademperordecides that even I, inmy senile years, amathreattohimandshoulddie.”Hafid raised his wineglass. “We still have much to learn from you.Mayyouliveanotherfiftyyears.”“Andhowisitwithyou,Hafid?”Senecaaskedafterhehadsippedhiswine.“Isitnottruethatyouowemuchofyourgreatsuccesstowisdomyou learned from ten special scrolls thatwere a giftwhenyouwere ayouth? Are you making arrangements to pass on your legacy bytranscribing yourwise principles of success and living onto scrolls fortomorrow’s children? AlthoughNero’s sword does not hang over yourhead,as itdoesmine,youmust realize thatyou, too,areapproachingthatfatefuldaywhenyouwilltakeyourfinalgaspofpreciousair.”BeforeHafid could reply, Lukeburst into the room followedby twoservantsapologizingfortheintrusiontotheirmaster.Theoldphysician’sbreath came innoisygasps as if hehadbeen runninga longdistance.Heavyperspirationcoveredhisbrow.“Please forgive me for besmirching this happy and peacefulgathering,”hesaidbetweenbreaths,“butIregretbeingthebearerofsadnewsthatIknewyouwouldallwanttoknowasswiftlyaspossible.”“Dear Luke, you look exhausted,” said a concerned Sergius. “Here,takethisseatandgatherthythoughts.Perhapsadrinkofwine?”“No,”Lukeprotested,fightingbacktears.“Pleaseletmestand!Ihavejustcomefromtheprison.ThereIwasinformedthatPaulwastriedthismorningandfoundguiltyoftreasonagainstRome.”Luke lowered his head. “He was comdemned to death and

immediatelyledouttoasmallplotofpubliclandneartheOstianWayandbeheaded.Therewere,”hesobbed,“nowitnessesorfriendspresent.Theauthoritiespresentedmewithhisremains,inasack,whenIarrivedthere tonightand,although the sunhad set, Iburiedour friend in thegardenofafollowerwholivesnearthePraetorium.”“And what of the red robe he was wearing?” asked Erasmus,

immediatelyregrettinghiswordswhenhesawHafidangrilyglaringathim.Lukewipedawayhistears.“Onlyhis…hisremainswereinthesack.

InmygriefIneverthoughttoaskabouttherobe.Ifearthatitislost.”HafidstoodandplacedhisarmgentlyonLuke’sshoulder.Hiswords

wereforeveryone.“Letusprayforhimoften,ofcourse,butletusnevershedanytearsofgriefoverourbelovedPaul.Whereheis,thisevening,hewouldchangeplaceswithnoneofus.”“I am amazed, constantly amazed,” Seneca said, “at the lack of fear

withwhichthosewhofollowJesushavefaceddeath,horribledeaths,inthe arena, on the choppingblock, and evenhanging froma cross. Formoreyears than Iwant to count, I havebeenhearing rumors that thebodyofJesuswasremovedfromthetombbyhisclosestdiscipleswhothenhid the body and claimed that hewasGod because he had risenfromthedead.However,lastweek,hereinRome,themanreputedtobeclosesttoJesus,Peter,wastoldhislifewouldbesparedifonlyhewouldadmit toauthorities that Jesushadnot risen from thedead.Peterwascrucified,Ihavebeentold,upsidedownathisrequest,soasnottodieinthe samemanner that Jesus did.Now, if Peter knew that the body ofJesus had been removed from the tomb—andhe, of all people,wouldhavehadknowledgeofthatdeedifithadbeencommitted—whywashestillwillingtodieforalie?AndnowthebrilliantPaulhasalsogivenhislife.Idon’tknow!Idon’tknow!ThereissomuchaboutallofthisthatIdonotcomprehend.Idoknow,however,thatifIwereayoungerman,withmylifestillaheadofme, Iwouldseektoknowmoreof thismancalledJesusandwhathetaught.”“Oneisnevertooold,Seneca,”Sergiussaid.“Wewouldwelcomeyou

withopenarms.”“We?Has thedistinguishedRomangovernorofCyprus, for somany

years,turnedhisbackonthegodsofRome?Areyouoneofthem?”“Iam.”

SenecashookhisheadindisbeliefandturnedtoHafid.“Andwhatofthee,greatestsalesmanofthemall.Towhomdoyoubow?”“OnceIbowedtonoman,notevenCaesar.Butoneday,manyyearsago,SergiusPaulusand I climbed thehighesthilloverlooking the tinyvillageofNazareth,afterwehadvisitedthemotherofJesus.Sittingupthere,soclosetoheaven,Isuddenlyrealizedthatmylifelongsearchfora faith that would always guide and sustain me had ended. I knew,withoutanydoubt,thatthesackIhadreceivedfromMarycontainedfarmorethantheseamlessredrobeofanotherpoorpreacher.IwaspositivethatIhad,inmypossession,thecloakthathadforsolongprotectedthebodyofthesonofGod.”SergiusPaulusleanedforwardandkissedthegreatsalesman’scheek.Nowordswerespoken.Later, as Hafid, Luke, and Erasmus were returning to the caravan,Erasmusleanedclosetohismasterandasked,“Whatofourfuture,sire?Whithershallwegonext?”“We shall return to Damascus,” Hafid replied, “as soon as allarrangements can bemade and there we shall disband the caravan. Iplan to retire to my library and take as much time as God allows totranscribemytenmost importantprinciplesforagoodlifeontoscrollssimilarinformtothosethatweregiventomewhenIwasamerecamelboy.”“Andthen…?”askedErasmus.“And then I shall be prepared to assist you in supervising anorganizationofswiftmessengerswhocandelivercopiesofmyscrollstothe four corners of the world.We can reachmillions in thatmanner,insteadofthethousandswhocametohearmespeak.”“Iwouldbehonoredtoassisttheeinthygreattask,”saidLuke.“MyhandwritingisexcellentandIwouldbewillingtotranscribethewordsyouspeakontoparchment.”“Physician,youhaveamore importantmission.DoasPaulaskedofyou.WritedownallyouknowofhisstrugglesandtravelsandalsowritedownallyouhavelearnedofthelifeofJesus,includingthestoryofhisbirthinthatstableinBethlehemthatIrelatedtotheewhenwewalkedbacktomywagonslastnight.”“Hafid,” Sergius cried out. “I have just been blessed with a mostpowerful idea. Remember my telling you, when we were together in

Nazarethlongago,ofthehomeIhadbuiltonMountHermon,aretreatthatisveryclosetowhereGodspoketoJesus?”“I do and I have regretted, many times, that I never accepted your

generousinvitationtovisitthere.”“It isnot too late.Hearme through. I am tooold,now, to travel to

MountHermonanylonger,andsoIshallsoonbetransferringownershipof that special place to my caretaker, Stephanas, who has served meloyallyatthatlocationalltheseyears.TobeclosetowhereGodspokewouldmake aperfect setting for youwhile you are concentrating andcreatingthetenscrolls.”“TheroadfromtheportofSidontoDamascuspassesveryclosetothe

mountain,”saidGalenusencouragingly.“AndwhatofStephanas?”askedHafid.“Stephanas, on my written instructions which you will deliver, can

easilyreturntohisfamily,innearbyCaesareaPhilippi,andleaveyouincompleteseclusionuntilyoufinishyourproject.Whatanidealplacetodoyourverybestwork!Onlythewindwilldisturbyourconcentrationunless, of course, God decides to talk with you. Then, when you arefinished,youcan return toyourpalace inDamascus,onlyhalf aday’sjourney away, and Erasmus can supervise the circulation of yourinspiringwords.”HafidlookedatErasmuswhoremainedsilent.Thiswasadecisionhe

wouldhavetomakeonhisown.SergiusPauluscontinued.“Nowisyourfinalopportunity,Hafid.Next

year,Stephanasandallhisfamilywillprobablyresideinthathouse.Go,Ibegofyou!”

VIII

BeforethecaravandepartedfromRome,Hafid,withLukeashisguide, visited scores of shops in the nearby book district calledArgiletum. After hours of shopping he had finally purchased severalbottlesofthefinestblackinkimportedfromEgypt,aboxofmetalpensandgoosequills, andadozenunusedparchment scrollsprepared fromthedriedskinsofgoat.Itwasalreadymid-afternoonwhenthetwofinallydecidedtoreturnto

the caravan and they had proceeded no more than fifty paces whenHafidsuddenlyhaltedandpointedtowardadark-stained,bruisedcedarchest thatwas lying on its side near an outside bookstall. “Is that oldchest empty?”he cried out excitedly to thedozingmerchantwhowasleaningonanearbytable.“Itisnotonlyempty,sir,itisalsoforsale.”Hafidsteppedcloser.Hisvoicewastrembling.“Willyoukindlyopen

itforme?”The tradesman lifted the trunk onto the table and threw back the

latch. Then he raised its wooden top and allowed it to fall back,exposingthedustyinterior.HafidturnedtoapuzzledLuke.“Handmesomeofthescrollsthatwe

purchased.”Lukereachedintotheleathersackhehadbeencarryingandremoved

threescrolls.Hafidplacedthemgentlyinsidethetrunk.“Now,givemesevenmore,please.”Thesevenfilledthetrunktothetop.Hafidclosedthecovergentlyand

turnedtothemerchant.“Howmuch?”“Onlyahundreddenarii,sir.”Hafid reached inside his cloak for his money bag but Luke stopped

him.“Sir,”heprotested,“thatpriceistentimestoohighforthisoldbox!Seehow rusty thehinges are and the strappings are soworn.Come, Iknowafineshopnearherewhereyouwillfindavarietyoftrunksmoresuitabletoyourneedsandatamuchfairerprice.”

“Luke,IappreciateyourconcernbutthisisthechestIwant.IcannotbelievemyoldeyesbutitlooksexactlylikethetrunkthatcontainedthetenscrollsIreceivedwhenIwasacamelboymorethansixtyyearsago.”Lukesmiledpatiently.“Itappearsoldenoughandwornenoughtobethatverysamechest.”Hafidpaidthemerchantandsaid,“It isnot justacoincidencethat Idiscovered thischestat this time inmy life.Here isGodplayingchesswith me again and this is a good sign. Now I shall have the perfectcontainerformyscrollsaftertheyhavebeenwritten!”Twoweeks passed before the Success Caravan finally docked at theportofSidonandadaylatertheyhadarrivedatthecrossroadsthatledeasttoDamascusandsouthtoMountHermon.Hafidclimbeddownfromthelargecarriagethathadservedhimandtheothersforsomanyyearsonhisspeakingtours.Behindwasasmallercarriagefilledwithcasesoffood,clothing,andhiswritingsupplies.Thedriverofthesmallerwagonapproachedhisleaderandsaid,“Everythingisinorder,sire,”ashehandedhiswhiptoHafid.Bynow,ErasmusandGalenushadjoinedtheirmaster.Hafidturnedtohisoldbookkeeperandsaid,“I shall return toourhomeas soonas Ihavecompletedworkonthescrolls,perhapsinafortnightorso.”Erasmus was unable to hide his concern. “Master, will ye kindlyreconsider thy decision and allowme to accompany thee? It has beenmany,manyyearssincewehavebeenapart.”“Rid thyself of fear, Erasmus. I must do this alone so that myconcentration is unbroken. I shall survive. Theweather iswarm and Ihaveample food for severalweeks.Soonweshallbe reunited.DoyoustillhaveyourcopyofthemapsthatSergiusPaulusgavebothofus,thedirectionstothehouseonHermon?”Erasmuspattedhisrobe.“Itishere,sire.”Hafid nodded as he drew his faithful friend to his bosom. “If youshouldbecomelonelyafteramonthorsoandIhavenotreturned,youarewelcometopaymeavisit.Fornow,returntoourhomeinDamascusandtakeGalenuswithyouforcompany,asweagreed.Hewillalsobeofgreathelpinyourdisbandingofthecaravan.Ibidtheefarewell,forthemoment. Tonight, I shall sleep alone at the place where God oncespoke.”TheroadfromthebaseofMountHermonrosesograduallythatitwas

difficult for Hafid to realize that he was now climbing the majesticmountainthat,viewedfromadistance,seemedtotouchheaven.Hedidnothurryhistwostallionssincehewassavoringthefragrantslopeswiththeir ilex,hawthorn, andalmond treeswhilehyacinths, cyclamen, andbuttercups flourished along the roadside. Aftermore than an hour, hepassedagiantcolumnofroughwhitestone,risingmorethanfiftycubitsfrommoundsofsmallboulders,andheknew,accordingtohismap,thathewasnowonlytwomilesfromhisdestination.To his left, as he rode, the world seemed to be spread out for hisenjoyment.Faroff,lightsparkledfromtheSeaofGalileeandthegreatsalesman strained to catch a glimpse of his beloved Damascus, to theeast, but a heavy mist hung over the desert in that direction. To hisright, high above, he could see themountaintop and realized that thesnow, which at a distance seemed to be an unbroken mantle ofglisteningwhite,wasactuallyonlyinthehollowsandclefts.ThemapthatSergiusPaulushaddrawnindicatedthattheroadwouldeventually wind through a grove of wild mountain junipers whichconcealed, frompassing travelers, theoldgovernor’shome.As soonasthewagonwasbeneaththegreenboughs,Hafidquicklybroughtittoastop.Directlyahead,withthelowerbranchesofseveraltreesrestingonitsroof,wasHafid’sdestination.Awide-shoulderedman,dressedinanimalskins,wasstandingbythefrontdoorof the smallhouse,watchingcuriouslyasHafiddismountedfromhiswagon.Hewaited,uncertainly,untilthegreatsalesmanraisedhishandingreetingbeforecallingout,“Areyelost,stranger?”“Ithinknot.YouareStephanas?”“Iam.”“Your friend and employer, Sergius Paulus, sends you his greetings.Also,aletterforyouwithinstructions.”Stephanas accepted the small parchment roll, broke the seal, andhastily read thewords. Then he bowed respectfully towardHafid andsaid, “Welcome, sire. Let me bring in your baggage and help you tobecomesettledinthisspecialplace.”Hafidgraspedtheyoungerman’srighthandandplacedtwogoldcoinsinhiscallousedpalm.“Iregret,verymuch,drivingyoufromyourhome;however, it will not be for long and Sergius has somewhat eased myconcernbyinformingmethatyouhavefamilynearby.”Stephanasnodded,staringindisbeliefathisnewlyacquiredwealth.“I

havefeltremorse,manytimes,fornotyetvisitingmymotherandfatherthissummer.Nowwillbeagoodtime.”The house contained only four rooms but it was decorated and

furnishedwith the same good taste that Sergius had used in both hispalaceandhisvilla.MostpleasingtoHafidwasthelargewritingtableon which he placed his pens, ink, and scrolls. The old chest he hadpurchased in Rome was pushed under the table. After Stephanas hadunloaded the food and other supplies from the wagon, he carried inseverallogsforthehuge,stonefireplace.“Before I depart, sire, do you have any questions? Is there anything

elseIcanshowyou?”Hafid had been staring out the open door at the shadowy grove of

treestotherearofthehouse.“Yes,”herepliedsoftly,“canyouleadmetotheplacewhereGodwasheardtospeak?”“Come,” said Stephanas, and he guided the olderman along a path

thatwasoverrunwithdaisies.Finallyhe stoppedand leanedagainstatree.“Peterreturnedto thisplace,accompaniedbySergius,onlya fewyearsagoandhesaiditallhappenedhere.See,Ihavearrangedacircleofboulderstomarkthearea.ApparentlyPeterandJamesandJohnhadaccompaniedJesusfromCaesareaPhilippiandthethreeweresowearythat they fellasleepon thisground, soonafter theyarrived.Peter saidthattheyawoketoalightthatalmostblindedthem,shiningfromwhereJesushadkneltandwasstillpraying.Thenabrightclouddescendedonthemandinthestillnesstheyheardavoicesaying,Thisismybelovedson;hearhim.’”“Whathappenedthen?”askedHafid.“Itwasover,Peter said,withinminutes.Thecloudsoon fadedaway

andonlythestarsabovewerewitness.”Hafid stepped over the large boulders and walked slowly on the

unevengrounduntilhewasclosetothemiddleofthecircle.Despitethechill,hefeltasuddenwarmbreezeacrosshisfaceandthepoundingofhisheart.ThevoiceofStephanasstartledhim.“IfthereisnothingelseIcandoforyou,IshalldepartsothatIcanbeoffthemountainbeforethesunsets.”Hafidwatched the retreating figureofStephanasuntil itvanished in

thedusk.Thenhekneltnear the largestboulderandplacedhis foldedhands on its rough surface. Once again he felt that mysterious warm

breezeandheknewthatpartofhisdailyroutine,solongasheremainedonthemountain,wouldbetokneelatthissamestone,eachmorning,toprayforhelpincompletinghisscrolls.Hesleptlittlethatnight,staringupatthedarknessandplanningwhathewouldwrite. “This,”he saidaloud,“is thegreatestchallengeofmylife.Ihavebeenhonoredformytradeempireandformyoratorybuttobe able to fashionwords on parchmentwith the power to change thefuture of those who read them is the supreme accomplishment and amiracle unto itself. I know that I cannot accomplish this almostimpossibleundertakingalone.Helpme,God,Ibegofyou.”Whenmorningcame,Hafidatealightbreakfastandwalkedoutside.He inhaled deeply, several times, and then approached the circle ofboulders where he knelt and once again prayed for help. Then hereturned to the house, assumed a comfortable position in the leather-coveredchairatthewritingtable,openedacleanscroll,dippedhisquillintothedarkink,andbegantowrite.…

Twice eachday, in themorningand in the evening before I retire, Iwillreadthewordsonthisscroll.Theeveningreadingmustbealoud.Iwill continue in this manner for seven days, including the Sabbath,beforeproceedingtothenextnumberedscroll.Thus,intenweeks,Iwillhavecompletedmyfoundationforbuildinganewandbetterlife.IunderstandthatnoprovisionhasbeenmadeshouldIneglectoneor

moredailyreadings.Asinlifeitself,IrealizethattheamountofsuccessIamabletoachievethroughthiswisdomwillbeindirectproportiontotheeffortexpendedinacquiringit.……

IXTHEFIRSTVOWOFSUCCESS

Iwasborntosucceed,nottofail.Iwasborntotriumph,nottobowmyheadindefeat.Iwasborntotoastvictories,nottowhimperandwhine.What happened to me? When did my dreams all fade into a grey

mediocritywhereaveragepeopleapplaudeachotherasexcellent?No person is ever somuch deceived by another, as by himself. The

cowardisconvincedthatheisonlybeingcautiousandthemiseralwaysthinkshe ispracticing frugality.Nothing is soeasyas todeceiveone’sselfsincewhatwewishisalwayseasytobelieve.Noone,inmylife,hasdeceivedmeasmuchasIhave.Why do I always try to cover my small accomplishments under

blanketsofwordsthatmakelightofmyworkorexcusesformylackofability? Worst of all, I have come to believe my excuses so that Iwillinglysellmydaysforpennieswhileconsolingmyselfwiththoughtsthatthingscouldalwaysbeworse.Nomore!ItistimetostudythereflectioninmylookingglassuntilIrecognize

that the most harmful enemy I have … is me. At last, in this magicmomentwithmy first scroll, the veil of self-deceit is beginning to liftfrommyeyes.Now Iknow that thereare threeclassesofpeople in theworld.The

firstlearnfromtheirownexperience—thesearewise.Thesecondlearnfromtheexperienceofothers—thesearehappy.Thethirdlearnneitherfromtheirownexperiencenorfromtheexperienceofothers—thesearefools.I am not a fool. Henceforth I will stand on my own feet and my

terrible crutches of self-pity and self-contempt have been cast asideforever.NeveragainwillIpityorbelittlemyself.HowfoolishIwaswhenIstoodindespair,bythesideoftheroad,and

envied the successful and the wealthy as they paraded by. Are theyblessed with unique skills, rare intelligence, heroic courage, enduringambition,andotheroutstandingqualitiesthatIpossessnot?Havetheybeen allottedmore hours, each day, inwhich to perform theirmightytasks?Dotheyhaveheartsfullofcompassionandsoulsoverflowingwithlovethataredifferentfrommine?No!Godplaysnofavorites.Wewereallfashionedfromthesameclay.Now I also know that the sadness and setbacks of my life are notunique tome.Even thewisest andmost successfulofourworld sufferchaptersofheartbreakandfailurebutthey,unlikeme,havelearnedthatthere is no peace without trouble, no rest without strain, no laughterwithoutsorrow,novictorywithoutstruggleandthatisthepriceweallpay for living. There was a time when I paid the price willingly andeasily but constant disappointments and defeats first eroded myconfidence and thenmy courage even as drops ofwaterwill, in time,destroythestrongestgranite.Allthatisnowbehindme.NolongeramIoneof the livingdead, remainingalways in theshadowsofothersandhidingbehindmysorryapologiesandalibiswhiletheyearswasteaway.NeveragainwillIpityorbelittlemyself.Now Iknowthatpatienceand timecandomore thaneven strengthandpassion.Theyearsoffrustrationarereadytobeharvested.All that I have managed to accomplish, and all that I hope toaccomplish,hasbeenandwillbebythatplodding,patient,perseveringprocess which builds the ant heap, particle by particle, thought bythought,stepbystep.Success,whenitcomesovernight,oftendepartswiththedawn.Iamprepared, now, for a lifetime of happiness because I have finallyrecognized a powerful secret hidden in the years that treated me soharshly.Failureis,inasense,thehighwaytosuccess,inasmuchaseverydiscoverywemakeofwhatisfalseleadsustoseekearnestlyafterwhatistrueandeveryfreshexperiencepointsoutsomeformoferrorwhichweshallafterwardcarefullyavoid.ThepathIwalked,oftendampenedbymytears,hasnotbeenawastedjourney.NeveragainwillIpityorbelittlemyself.Thankyou,God,forplayingyourgamewithme,today,andplacinginmyhandsthesepreciousscrolls.IwasatthelowestebbofmylifebutIshouldhaveknownitisatthatmomentthatthetidealwaysturns.

No longer will I look mournfully to the past. It will never return.Instead,withthesescrolls,IwillshapethepresentbecauseitismineandIwillgoforthtomeetthemysteriousfuturewithoutfear,withoutdoubt,withoutdespair.IwasformedintheimageofGod.ThereisnothingIcannotachieveifItry.NeveragainwillIpityorbelittlemyself.

XTHESECONDVOWOFSUCCESS

AlreadyIamadifferentandbetterperson.OnlyafewdayshavepassedsinceIcommencedanewexistencewith

thehelpofthesescrollsbutnowthereisastrangeandpowerfulstirringinmyheart,afeelingofnewhopethathadallbutdisappearedwiththepassingyears.AtlastIhavebeenrescuedfrommycotofdespairandIgivethanks.

Withthewordsfromthefirstvowofsuccessstillfreshonmylips,Ihavealreadymultipliedinvalueinmyeyesandthisnewassessmentofme,Iamcertain,willeventuallybeadoptedbytheoutsideworld.NowIknowagreattruth.Theonlyvalidpricetagistheoneweattachtoourselves.If we price ourselves too low, the world will agree. But if we priceourselves with the very best, the world also willingly accepts thatvaluation.Thankyou,God,forplacingthesepreciousscrollsinmyhands.Thisis

theturningpointinmylifeandImustnot,Iwillnot,walkawayfromthis challenge as I have so many in the past. Now I know that ineveryone’spilgrimagethroughthislifethereareholyplaceswereoneismade to feelkinshipwith thedivine;where theheavens seemtobendlowoverourheadsand theangelscomeandminister tous.Thesearetheplacesofsacrifice,themeetinggroundsofmortalandimmortal,thetents of the trial where are waged the great battles of one’s life. Mydefeatsof thepastarealreadyalmost forgotten.Eventhepainandtheheartbreak.Andhappywill Ibe, inyearstocome, if Iamableto lookbackonthisspecialtimeandknowthathere,atlast,Itastedvictory.ButfirstImustlearnandputintopracticethesecondvowofsuccess:NeveragainwillIgreetthedawnwithoutamap.Inthepast,tohaveanygoals,eitherlargeorsmall,seemednomore

thananexerciseinfoolishnesssinceIhadsolittlefaithinmyabilities.Whyhavesmallandinsignificantgoals,Iaskedmyself,merelytosatisfymylowlytalents?Whatdifferencediditmakeintheschemeofthings?

And so, each day I would stumble out into theworld, rudderless andchartless, hoping to survive until sunset, falsely assuringmyself that Iwasonlywaiting for thepropermomentor formy luck to changeyetneverbelievingforasinglemomentthatanythinginmyfuturewouldbeanydifferentfrommypast.Todrift fromday to day is easy.No skill is required, nor effort norpain.Ontheotherhandtosetgoalsforadayoraweekoramonth,andto attain those objectives, is never easy. Tomorrow Iwill begin, I toldmyselfdayafterday.Ididn’tknow,then,thattomorrowisonlyfoundinthecalendarsoffools.Blindtomyfoolishfaults,IwaswastingmylifeindeliberationforIknownotwhatandIwouldhaveprocrastinateduntilitwastoolatehaditnotbeenforthesescrolls.Thereisanimmeasurabledistancebetweenlateandtoolate.NeveragainwillIgreetthedawnwithoutamap.I havebeen living in fool’s alley.Tobe always intending tomake anewandbetterlifebutnevertofindtimetosetaboutitisasifIshouldputoffeatinganddrinkingandsleepingfromonedaytothenextuntilIamdead.FortoomanyyearsIwasconvinced,likesomanyothers,thattheonlyworthwhilegoalswereprincelygoalswithrichrewardsingoldandfameandpower.HowwrongIhavebeen.NowIknowthatthewiseman nevermakes goals of immense proportions. Those plans that aregiant insizehecallsdreamsandcradlesthemclosetohisheartwhereothersmaynotseeandmock.Thenhegreetseachmorningwithgoalsfor the day only and he makes certain that all he has planned iscompletedbeforehesleeps.Soontheaccomplishmentsofeachdayaregathered, one atop another, like the ant piles his grains of sand, andeventuallyacastleiserectedlargeenoughtohouseanydream.Intruth,this is not difficult to accomplish once I have learned to harness myimpatienceanddealwithlifeadayatatime.Icandoit.Iwilldoit.NeveragainwillIgreetthedawnwithoutamap.Thevictoryofsuccessishalfwonwhenonegainsthehabitofsettinggoals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will becomeendurable as I parade through eachday convinced that every task, nomatter how menial or boring, brings me steps closer to fulfilling mydreams.Whatapleasantwaytogetonwithmylifefor if themorningpresentedmewithnonewjoys,asIfulfillmygoalsfortheday,oriftheevening delivered me no new pleasures for completing my goals, it

would not be worthwhile even to dress and undress. Life, I am nowconvinced, canbe as joyful as childrenat playwhenoneawakeswithanticipationthatapathclearlymarkediswaiting.Iknow,now,whereIam.Iknow,also,whereIwantmygoalstotakeme.Togetfromheretothere,Ineednotknowallthetwistsandturnsofmy voyage at this moment. What is most important is that I haveembracedthefirstscrollandthesecondandnowIwillneverlookbackonthatdismalpastwhendayshadnobeginningorendandIwaslostinadesertoffutilitywithnothingaheadbutdeathandfailure.TomorrowIwillhavegoals!Andthenextday!Andthenext!NeveragainwillIgreetthedawnwithoutamap.OnceIdidbargainwithlifeforapennyandlifewouldpaynomore,butmyyearsofworkingforslave’swageshaveended.NowIknowthatwhateverwageIhadaskedoflife,lifewouldhavewillinglypaid.The sun is not shining onme so that Imay reflectwith sadness onyesterday.Thepast isburiedand Ialmostallowedmyself tobeburiedwith it. No more tears. Let the sun’s rays shine on tomorrow’spromises…andme.NeveragainwillIgreetthedawnwithoutamap.

XITHETHIRDVOWOFSUCCESS

Iamawake.Iamfilledwithjoyfulanticipation.I feelunfamiliar rumblings inmyheartas Iwelcomeeachnewday,

now,withjoyandconfidenceinsteadofself-pityandfear.Hewhosuffers,remembers.Iwillneverrepeatthefailuresandfutile

mistakesofthepastnowthatIhavethesescrollstoguideme.Each day, I will venture out into the world accompanied by three

powerfulnewallies:confidence,pride,andenthusiasm.IamconfidentIcandealwithanychallenge,pridedemandsthatIperformtothebestofmyability,andallthiswillbeaccomplishedbecauseIhaverediscoveredaspecialpowerthathasbeenmissingfrommylifesincechildhood,thepowerofenthusiasm.Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of

enthusiasm.Nothinggreatwaseverachievedwithoutitbecauseitgivesanychallengeoranyoccupation,nomatterhowfrighteningordifficult,anewmeaning.WithoutenthusiasmIamdoomedtoalifeofmediocritybutwithitIcanaccomplishmiracles.There is a new meaning to my existence. Failure is no longer my

constantcompanion.Thenothingness,isolation,powerlessness,sadness,vexation, anddespair of the past have vanished since that day, not solong ago, when I remembered how to smile. Already, others arereflecting my smiles and my caring. I share the candle of love andhappinessgladly.AlwayswillIbathemydaysinthegoldenglowofenthusiasm.Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in theworld. Its potential value far

surpassesmoneyandpowerandinfluence.Single-handed,theenthusiastconvincesanddominateswherethewealthaccumulatedbyasmallarmyof workers would scarcely raise a tremor of interest. Enthusiasmtramples over prejudice and opposition, spurns inaction, storms thecitadelof itsobjectand, likeanavalanche,overwhelmsandengulfsall

obstacles. I have learned a great lesson—enthusiasm is my faith inaction!WithfaithIcannotfail.AlwayswillIbathemydaysinthegoldenglowofenthusiasm.Some of us are enthusiastic at times and a few even retain theireagernessforadayoraweek.AllthatisgoodbutImustandIwillformthe habit of sustaining my enthusiasm indefinitely, honestly, andsincerelysothatthesuccessIenjoytodaycanberepeatedtomorrowandnextweekandnextmonth.Enthusiasm,theloveforwhateveritisIamdoingatthemoment,worksinmarvelouswaysIneednotevenattempttounderstandbut Idoknow that itwill giveadditionalvitality tomymusclesandmymind.EnthusiasminallIdowillbecome,withhardwork,ahabit.Wefirstmustmakeourhabitsandthen,goodorbad,theymakeus.Enthusiasmwillbemychariottoabetterlife.AlreadyIamsmilinginanticipationofthegoodtocome.AlwayswillIbathemydaysinthegoldenglowofenthusiasm.Enthusiasm can move castles and charm brutes. It is the genius ofsincerity,andtruthisrarelyvictoriouswithoutit.Likesomanyothers,Ihaveconductedmy lifewith false ideasof truerewards,believing thatcomfortandluxuryshouldbemygoalswhenallthatanyofusneedtomakeusreallyhappyissomethingtobeenthusiasticabout.Enthusiasmwillbenefitmyfuturemorethanspringrainnourishesthewheat.Henceforth,allmydayswillbedifferentthanthoseofthepast.NeveragainwillIconsiderthatwhateverImustdotosupportmyexistenceislabor, for then I will feel the strain of necessity in my work and thehours of each day will endure for what seems an eternity. Let me,instead,forgetthatImustworktoeatandapproachtheday’stoilwithall my energy and caring and good spirit. With these qualities I willperform far better than ever before, thehourswill pass swiftly, and ifthisenthusiasticoutputcontinues,dayafterday,Iamcertaintobecomemorevaluabletomyselfandtotheworld.Thereisnoperson,nooccupation,notroublethatcannotbeaffectedforthegoodbymyattitude.AlwayswillIbathemydaysinthegoldenglowofenthusiasm.InthatbrightglowwillIbeabletosee,forthefirsttime,allthegoodthingsoflifethatwereconcealedfrommeduringthoseyearsoffutility.Justastheyoungloverhasafinersenseandmoreacutevisionandsees,

intheobjectofhisaffection,ahundredvirtuesandcharmsinvisibletoall other eyes, so will I, imbued with enthusiasm, have my power ofperception heightened and my vision magnified until I can see thebeautyandcharmotherscannotdiscernwhichcancompensateforlargeloads of drudgery, privation, hardship, and even persecution. Withenthusiasm I canmake the best of any situation and should I stumblenowandthen,aseventhemosttalentedwilldoonoccasions,Iwillpickmyselfupandgoonwithmylife.AlwayswillIbathemydaysinthegoldenglowofenthusiasm.What a great exhilaration I feel, knowing that I possess this greatpowertoaltermydaysandmyentirelifewithmyattitude.HowsorryIfeel for those legions who have no knowledge that they can use thisgreatforce,aforcealreadywithinthem,toguidetheirfuture.Iwillturnbackthecalendarandadopttheirresistiblecharmofyouthwithitsenthusiasmbubblinglikeaspringofmountainwater.Youthseesno darkness ahead, no trap that has no escape. It forgets that there issuchathingasfailureintheworldandbelievesthatmankindhasbeenwaiting,allthesecenturies,forhimorhertocomeandbetheliberatoroftruthandenergyandbeauty.TodayIraisemycandleonhighandsmileateveryone.AlwayswillIbathemydaysinthegoldenglowofenthusiasm.

XIITHEFOURTHVOWOFSUCCESS

Iamthepossessorofawondrouspower.I know the secret of how to influence the thoughts and actions of

otherswhentheyareinmycompany.This knowledge alone, wisely used, has enabled scores of ambitious

individuals to soar to great heights of fame and wealth and powerthroughouttheages.Sadly,onlyafewareawarethattheypossesssuchapowerwhilethe

vastmajority have paid a terrible price, in heartbreak andmisery, fortheirignorance.Friendshavebeenlost,doorswereclosed,opportunitieshavevanished,anddreamsweredestroyed.Until now I have been a member of the sorry majority, constantly

destroying my chances at success and happiness because I foolishlyabusedapowerIdidnotevenknowIpossessed.Throughthisscrollmyeyeshavebeenopened.Thesecretissosimple

that every child understands it and instinctively uses it to his or herbenefit.We can influenceothersby treating them in the samemannerwewouldlikethemtotreatus.Weareallimagesofeachother,withthesamesenses,thesamefeelings,thesamehopes,thesamefears,thesamefaults, and the same blood. If one itches, his neighbor scratches. Ifanothersmiles,herfriendrespondsinkind.How ignorant I have been. I know that success cannot be achieved

alone.Iknowthatthereisnosuchthingasaself-mademanorwoman.Irealize,therefore,thatIcanneverachievemygoalswithoutthehelpofothersandyetIcansee,reflectingonmypast,thatmyactionshavekeptmeimprisonedbehindbarsofregret.Whywouldanyonewanttocontributetomysuccess?WheneverIfrowned,Iwouldmeetafrowninreturn.WheneverIshoutedinanger,angryvoiceswouldrespond.WheneverIcomplained,harshlooksimpaledme.WheneverIcursed,hatredalwaysstaredback.

My own actions condemned me to the world where no one eversmiles,theworldoffailures.IhavefoolishlyblamedothersformyplightbutnowIseethatthefaultwasmine.Atlonglastmyeyeshavebeenopened.Thisspecialvowofsuccess,Ipledgetoupholdfortherestofmylife:NeveragainwillIbedisagreeabletoalivingsoul.Iwill smileat friendand foealikeandmakeeveryeffort to find, inhim or her, a quality to praise now that I realize that the deepestyearningofhumannatureisthecravingtobeappreciated.Intruth,allofushavepraiseworthyfeaturesandallIneeddoisbecertainthatIamcomplimentingfrommyheartwithavoicethatissincere.Topraise,tosmile,toshowconcernforothers,isasbeneficialtothedonorasitistherecipientofsuchfavors.Thisgreatpowerthataffectsotherssostronglywillworkmiraclesinmyownlifeasthegratitudeofothers returns to me in many ways. A smile remains the mostinexpensivegiftIcanbestowonanyoneandyetitspowercanvanquishkingdoms.AndthosewhomItreatkindlywithwordsofpraisewillsoonbegintoperceivegoodqualitiesinmethattheyneversawbefore.NeveragainwillIbedisagreeabletoalivingsoul.Mydays ofwhining and complaining about others have come to anend. Nothing is easier than faultfinding. No talent, no self-denial, nobrains,nocharacterarerequiredtosetupinthebusinessofgrumbling.Inolongerhavetimeforthatsorrypursuit.All itwilldoisdiscolormypersonalitysothatnonewillwanttoassociatewithme.Thatwasmyoldlife.Nomore.Iamsogratefulforthissecondchance.I havewasted years of opportunitywithmy frowns and scowls andangryglanceswhenasmileandakindwordwouldhaveopenedmanydoors and softened countless hearts who could have extended helpinghands. Only now am I learning the great art of life—to improve thegolden moment of opportunity and catch the good that is within ourreach.NeveragainwillIbedisagreeabletoalivingsoul.A smileandahandshakeare, in the final resolution,a simpleactoflove.Life,Iknownow,ismadeupnotofgreatsacrificesordutiesbutoflittlethingsinwhichsmilesandkindnessesandsmallobligations,givenwheneverandwhereverpossible,arewhatwinandpreserveanyheart.

The best portions of one’s life are the small acts of consideration andcaring. Kind words produce their own image in men’s souls and abeautiful image it is. They soothe and quiet and comfort the hearer.Theyshamehimoutofhissour,morose,unkindfeelings.Ihavenot,asyet,commencedtousekindwordsinsuchabundanceastheyoughttobeusedbutimproveIwill,throughpractice.Whowouldbesofoolishasnottotrywhenone’shappinesshangsinthebalance?NeveragainwillIbedisagreeabletoalivingsoul.I can see that in the interplayofdaily life it is through littleactsofwatchful kindness recurring daily, and even hourly, by words, tones,gestures, and looks, that affection and admiration are won andpreserved.How easy it is for one benevolent being to diffuse pleasurearound him and how surely is a kind heart a fountain of gladness,makingeveryoneinitsvicinitysparklewithsmiles.Eachnight,whenIretire,IpraythatIhavemadeatleastonehumanbeingalittlehappieroralittlewiseroratleastalittlemorecontentwithhimselforherself.HowcanIfail,fromthismomenton,ifthevowIhavemadeonthisscrolliskeptsothattheairthatIbreathe,inthefuture,willglowwithloveandgoodwishes?NeveragainwillIbedisagreeabletoalivingsoul.

XIIITHEFIFTHVOWOFSUCCESS

Thesundoesnotalwaysshine.Thegrapesarenotalwaysripe.The grave diggers are not always idle and peace does not always

reign.Now, regretfully, I recognize another truth.Although I have already

tasted the headywine of success, through these scrolls, I know that Icannotexpect towalk through the remainderofmydaysonmountainpeaks.NomatterhowmuchI try,howmuchIpersistandexcel inmychosen work, there will still be days and weeks and months wheneverythingIattemptresultsinfrustrationandfailure.Allofus,eventhemostmighty and heroic, spend toomany of our days living in fear offailure. Dowe possess sacks of gold and precious gems? They are notenough.Othershavemore.Areweprotectedandsafe?Safefromwhat?Disease?Unemployment?Robbery?Dowehavemany friendsanda familywholoveus?Isfriendshipevertobetrusted?Willtheirloveendure?Thefearofadversity leadingtofailurecastsaterribleshadowonall

thedaysofourlife.Itsshapeandcolorsarevaried,imaginaryandreal,confusedand clear, temporaryandpermanent.Adversity terrorizes theworkerstrugglingtokeephisjob,thefatherprayingthathecanfeedhisfamily, themerchanthopinghewill sell his goods, the soldier leadingothersintobattle.Ittortureseveryonealike,princeandpauper,sageandfool,saintandcriminal.Before,Ihadnoknowledgeofhowtodealwithadversity and the wounds I received from my defeats were seriousenoughtocloudmyhopesanddestroymyambition.Nomore!Thisisanew life and now I know the secret of profiting from my defeatswhenevertheyfalluponme.AlwayswillIseektheseedoftriumphineveryadversity.There is no better school than adversity. Every defeat, every

heartbreak,everyloss,contains itsownseed, itsownlessononhowto

improvemyperformancethenexttime.NeveragainwillIcontributetomy downfall by refusing to face the truth and learn from my pastmistakes. Experience is themost valuable extract of suffering and yetone of the terrible conditions of this life is that itswisdom cannot betransferredtoanother.Allmustattendtheirownschoolandforeachthelessonsaredifferent.Thereisnootherway.Adversityisalwaysthefirstpathto truth,however,andIampreparedto learnwhatever Ineedtoknowinordertoimprovetheconditionofmylife.AlwayswillIseektheseedoftriumphineveryadversity.I ambetterprepared,now, todealwithanyadversity. Iunderstand,forthefirsttime,howswiftlyalldeedsandevents,goodandbad,largeand small, pass on and are nomore, theworks ofman aswell as theworks of nature. All things in life are not only in a constant state ofchange but they are the cause of constant and infinite change in eachother.Eachday I standuponanarrow ledge.Behindme is thebottomlessabyssofthepast.Infrontisthefuturethatwillswalloweverythingthatbefallsmetoday.NomatterwhatfatehasinstoreformeIknowthatIwill relish itor Iwill suffer it foronlyabrief,brief time.Sovery fewunderstandthisobvioustruthwhiletherestallowtheirhopesandgoalstovanishassoonastragedystrikes.Theseunfortunatepeoplecarrywiththem,untiltheydie,theirownbedof thorns and look to others, every day, for sympathy and attention.Adversitywillneverdestroythepersonwithcourageandfaith.Allofusare tested in the furnaceofdisasterandnotall emerge. Iwill emerge.GoldcanremainforamonthinfierycoalswithoutlosingagrainandIammorepreciousthananygold.Allthingsshallpass.AlwayswillIseektheseedoftriumphineveryadversity.NowIcanseethatadversityhasmanybenefits,littlerecognized.ItistheonlyscaleonwhichIcanweighthosewhoprofesstobemyfriendsand learn the truth. It is also the state inwhich Imost easily becomeacquaintedwithmyinnerselfandithasthewondrousabilityofdrawingouttalents inmewhichinprosperouscircumstanceswouldhave likelyremaineddormant.Adversityiswithusfrombirthtoburial.ThegemcannotbepolishedwithoutfrictionandIcannotbeperfectedwithouttrials.Iadmitthatit

hasdonemegoodtobeparchedbytheheatanddrenchedbytherainoflife and yet I confess that every adversity I have suffered has alwaysbeenfollowedbymycriesofangerandresentmentagainstheaven.WhyshouldGoddosuchaterriblethingtome?Why did God deprive me of one thing or another which was soimportanttome?Now I know that there are no times in life when opportunity, thechancetobeanddo,gatherssorichlyaboutmysoulaswhenithastosuffer cruel adversity.Then everythingdependsonwhether I raisemyheadorloweritinseekinghelp.IfIresorttomereexpedientsandtricks,theopportunityisforeverlostandIwillcomeoutnorichernorgreater,nay,perhapsharder,poorer,smallerformypain.But, if I turntoGod,andIwillfromnowon,anytimeofadversitycanbetransformedintoatriumphantturningpointofmylife.AlwayswillIseektheseedoftriumphineveryadversity.Whenever I am struck down, in the future, by any terrible defeat, Iwillalwaysinquireofmyself,afterthefirstpainhaspassed,howIcanturn that adversity into good. What a great opportunity that momentmight present… to take thebitter root I amholding and transform itintoafragrantgardenofflowers!AlwayswillIseektheseedoftriumphineveryadversity.

XIVTHESIXTHVOWOFSUCCESS

Ihavecheatedmyselffortoolong.I have givenmere lip service to those who have employedme and

begrudgedeveryhourofwhatIconsideredwasboringtoil.Work,tome,wasthesorrypriceIhadtopaytoexistbecausethegodshadnotseenfit, atmy birth, to place gold inmy hands and a crown onmy head.WhatafoolIhavebeen.Now I know that the fruit derived from labor is the sweetest of all

pleasuresandwhilegeniusmaycommencegreatworks,onlylaborwillcompletethem.Myeyeshavefinallybeenopenedthroughthesescrolls.How much easier my work would be if I put forth as much effort

trying to improve the quality of it as I have spent in trying to findexcusesfornotproperlyattendingit.Thereisonetoweringsecretofsuccesswhichdwarfsallotherrules.It

iscertaintobeincludedineverylistofaffirmationsoncreatingabetterlifeforcenturiesandmillenniumstocomeandyetmostofmankindwillreject it, again and again, as too difficult.Wealth, position, fame, andevenelusivehappinesswillbemine,eventually,ifIdeterminetorendermoreandbetterservice,eachday,thanIambeingpaidtorender.Thereisanotherandmorepowerfulwaytorememberthismostdifficultlawoflife—when one is asked to go onemile, one should willingly go two.Centuries from now, even as today, only a few will have thedetermination to follow this great secret of achievers and theywill bethehonoredones.Icommencetoday!NeveragainwillIperformanytaskatlessthanmybest.NowIknowthatinordertogrowandflourishImustattendstrictlyto

businessandkeepalittleinadvanceofthetimes.Thosewhoreachthetoparetheoneswhoarenotcontentwithdoingonlywhatisrequiredofthem. They do more. They go another mile. And another. The

measurement of their recompense never enters theirmind. They knowthateventuallytheywillreceivetheirreward.There isbutonecertainmethodofachievingone’sgoalsand that isthroughhardlabor,bothmentalandphysical.IfIamnotwillingtopaythat price for distinction, I should be prepared to resign myself to afuture of tears andpovertywhile I beatmy chest in self-pity over thefutility of a life void of smiles and rewards. I no longer feel sorry formyself.Ihavesteppedoffthatroadtonowhere.NeveragainwillIperformanytaskatlessthanmybest.I amnot chained tomywork. I amnot a slave.Even if I detest thetasksImustperform,Iunderstandthatdrudgeryisasnecessarytocalloutthetreasuresofmymind,sothatIcanimprovemylot,asharrowingandplantingaretoproduceresultsforthosetillingthesoil.Icangrowbeyondanytaskassignedtomenow,providingIneverforgetthatIamachildofGod,borntovictory.Whatevermy jobmaybe, letmeperformitwith loveandIwillnotfail.Myshareoftheworkofthisdaymaybelimited,butthefactthatitiswork makes it precious. The world is moved not only by the mightymuscles of our heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes ofeachhonestworker.Thesecretof the true loveofwork is thehopeofsuccessinthatwork,notforthemoneyreward,notforthetimespentorfor the skill exercised, but for the pride and satisfaction in theaccomplishmentoftheworkitself.Asufficientrewardforathingwelldoneistohavedoneit.NeveragainwillIperformanytaskatlessthanmybest.Henceforth,whenmyday’sworkhasended,Iwillsurprisetheworld.Iwillremainatmytask,justalittlelonger,andletthatextraeffortbean investment inmy tomorrow.With such an attitude, so rare in thisselfishworldweinhabit,Icannotfail.Andyet,ifIlaborinsuchamanner,ifIpersistintravelingtheextramile,Imustpreparemyselfforjeersfromthosewhonevercontributeafairday’swork.InordertoaccomplishsomegreatthinginthisshortlifeIrealizethatImustapplymyselftoworkwithsuchaconcentrationofmymind andmymuscle andmy time that, to those who live in thesqualorofidleness,Imayappeartohavegivenleaveofmysenses.Sobeit.

NeveragainwillIperformanytaskatlessthanmybest.Giveme loveandwork, these twoonly, and Iwill be able to live acontentedlife.IcouldnotlongbehappywithoutfoodordrinkorclothesorshelterbutImayhaveallthesethingstoperfectionandstillbeunhappy.Whatisthebestthingforariver?Itistokeepmoving.Ifitstops,itstagnates.The best thing for me is that which keeps my currents flowing. Fewpeople realize how much of their happiness is dependent upon theirwork, upon the fact that they are kept busy andnot left to feeduponthemselves. I am nothing without my work. The prime secret ofhappinessissomethingtodo.NeveragainwillIperformanytaskatlessthanmybest.NeveragainwillIfailtogotheextramileorrenderlessthanmypaydeserves.Iwilldomywork,henceforth,withalltheintensityIcanputforth—notjustmyworkandnomore,butalittlemore,thatlittlemorewhichintimewillbeworthalltherest.AndifIsuffer,asIoftenwill,andifIdoubtthevalueofmyefforts,asImustonoccasions,Iwillstilldomywork.Iwillputmyheartintoitandtheskywillclearandfromoutoftheverydoubtandsufferingwillbebornthesupremejoyoflife.Letmealwaysobeythisspecialvowofsuccess:NeveragainwillIperformanytaskatlessthanmybest.

XVTHESEVENTHVOWOFSUCCESS

Ihavescatteredmyeffortsinsomanydirections.Ihavewastedsomanyseasonsrunningfromonerainbowtothenext.I have spent countless years letting empty buckets down into empty

wells.Success, happiness, wealth, I continued to hope, would someday be

mine.I waited in vain. Without the miracle of these scrolls I might have

waited forever. How sad. On the street of by and by, one eventuallyarrivesatthehouseofnever.Allthatisnowbehindme.Now I understand why success has eluded me. The person who is

perpetually hesitating betweenwhich of two things he or shewill do,will do neither. If I waver from plan to plan, from goal to goal, andconstantlybendinthewind,likealily,toeverypointinthecompass,Iwillneveraccomplishanythinggreatoruseful.Itisthosewhoconcentrateonbutonethingatatimewhoadvancein

thisworld.Thegreatmanorwomanistheonewhoneverstepsoutsidehisorherspecialtyorfoolishlydissipateshisorherindividuality.NowIknowthegreatsecretthatwasalwaysbeforemyeyesandyetIwastooblindtosee.AlwayswillIthrowmywholeselfintothetaskathand.The great difference between thosewho succeed and thosewho fail

doesnotconsistintheamountofworkdonebyeachbutintheamountof intelligent work. Many of those who fail most ignominiously doenoughtoachievegrandsuccessbuttheylaborhaphazardlyatwhateverthey are assigned, building up with one hand to tear down with theother. They do not grasp circumstances and change them intoopportunities. They have no faculty for turning honest defeats intotelling victories. With ability enough and ample time, the majoringredients of success, they are forever throwing back and forth an

emptyshuttleandtherealweboftheirlifeisneverwoven.NeveragainwillIonlylaymyhandsonmyworkwhenIshouldhavecommittedmyentirebeing.Myeyesareopenatlast.IwilldowhateverIamdoing,henceforth,asiftherewerenothingelseintheworldofanyimportance.Thecreationofathousandforestsisinasingleacorn.Concentration and perseverance built the great pyramids on Egypt’splains.Themasterofasingletradecansupportafamily.Themasterofseventrades cannot support himself. The wind is never for the sailor whoknowsnottowhatportheisbound.NowIknowwhereIwanttogoandIknowhowtoreachmydestination.AlwayswillIthrowmywholeselfintothetaskathand.Notmanythingsindifferently,butonethingsupremely,isthedemandofourworld.Hewhoscattershiseffortscannothopetosucceed.Ifasalamanderbecutintwo,thefronthalfwillrunforwardandtheother backward. Such is the progress of he who divides his purpose.Successisalwaysjealousofscatteredenergies.I am prepared for great changes in my life. The world will know Ihavechangedcourse.Whatanimmensepoweroverlifeisthepowerofpossessingdirect aims.Myvoice,mydress,my look,myverymotionsandgestureswillchangeasIbegintolivemydayswithapurpose.Howcould I, like somanyothers,have remainedblind to thisgreattruth?Thepersonwhoknowsonethinganddoesitbetterthananyoneelse,evenifitonlybetheartofraisinglentils,receivesthecrownhemerits.Ifheraisesthebestlentilsbyhavingconcentratedallhisenergytothatend,heisabenefactorofmankindandisrewardedassuch.AlwayswillIthrowmywholeselfintothetaskathand.Iwilldecideonmygoalsandkeepthemforeverinmythoughts.Wefind only what we seek with all our heart. If I look for nothing inparticular fromlife, Iwill find just that.Thebee isnot theonly insectthat visits the rose but it is the only one that carries honey away. Itmattersnothow rich thematerialswehavegleaned from theyearsofourstudyandthetoilinouryouth.Ifwegooutintolifewithnowell-definedideaofourfutureworkwecanbecertainthattherewillbenohappyandaccidentalcircumstancethatwillarrangewhatwedointoan

imposingstructurewithmagnificentproportions.We are often told to aim high in life but wemust aim at what wewouldhit,instead.Ageneralpurposeisnotenough.Thearrowshotfromthebowdoesnotwanderaroundtoseewhatitcanhitonitsway,butfliesstraighttothemark.The widely dispersed explosion of thunder produces no resultscomparedtoasingle,concentratedboltoflightning.Now I know that I cannot pursue a worthy goal, steadily andpersistently,withall thepowersofmymindandyetfail. If I focustheraysofsunwithaburningglass,eveninthecoldestdaysofwinter,Icankindleafirewithease.AlwayswillIthrowmywholeselfintothetaskathand.Theweakest livingcreature,byconcentratinghispowersonasingleobject,canaccomplishgoodresultswhilethestrongest,bydispersinghiseffort over many chores, may fail to accomplish anything. Drops ofwater,bycontinuallyfalling,honetheirpassagethroughthehardestofrocksbutthehastytorrentrushesoveritwithhideousuproarandleavesnotracebehind.Iwillleavemytraces.TheworldwillknowIhavebeenhere.AlwayswillIthrowmywholeselfintothetaskathand.

XVITHEEIGHTHVOWOFSUCCESS

Ihavebeensoblind.NeveroncedidIrecognizeopportunitywhenitpresenteditselfinmy

lifebecausealwaysithasbeendisguisedashardwork.Never once did I take notice of that golden chariot waiting to

transportmetoabetterlifesincemyeyeswerealwaysfilledwithtearsof self-pity as I wandered along the back roads of life with nodestination.Myvision isno longer impairedbymyattitudebecausemyattitude

hasbeentransformed.NowIunderstandthatopportunitiesneverappearwiththeirpotential

forwealthorsuccessorhonorpainteduponthem.EverytaskIdomustbeaccomplishedwithmyverybesteffortorIriskhavingthegreatestofopportunitiesslipawayfrommewithoutthesoundofawarningbell.Adaydawns, quite like all other days, and in it a singlehour blossoms,justlikeallotherhours,butitispossiblethatinthatdayandthathourImaybeconfrontedwiththechanceofalifetime.Tofaceeverytask,nomatterhowdifficultandmenialitmaybe,withcourageandpersistence,is the only way I can be certain of seizing the supreme opportunitieswhentheycome,whethertheyhavebeenproclaimedwithfanfareorarehiding,asusual,beneathamantleofdust.Theoldme,despisingeachday’slaborandventingmyfrustrationson

everyoneItouched,couldneverhavebeencapableofcommittingmyselftolaysiegetoopportunity.Now,throughthesescrolls,IamrebuildingmylifeandhenceforthIwillgoforwardwithheadheldhigh,searchingforopportunityasfiercelyasthestarvinglionsearchesforfood.NeveragainwillIwaitandhopeforopportunitytoembraceme.Ihaveturnedmybackonthepast.Noneofthosefailureswillslowmy

newstridetowardthatbrightlandofsuccessandhappinesswhereIwillspendtherestofmylife.NowIknowthatifIwanttosingIcanalwaysfindasong.

Ilookbacknowonlytoreminisce.WhatasorryfailureIhadallowedmyselftobecome.Thereisanoldproverbwhichsays,“Enjoythelittleyouhavewhilethefoolishuntingformore.”ThatwaswhatIbelievedandhowIacted,inthepast,fordonotalloldproverbsspeakthetruth?No!IambeginninganewlifeandIhavereversedthatproverbjustasIhavealteredtheactionsofmypastlife.Nowthatproverbreads,“Whilethefoolisenjoyingthelittlehehas,Iwillhuntformore!”NeveragainwillIwaitandhopeforopportunitytoembraceme.I have already improved, in these fewweeks,many qualities inmycharactersothatIamnowbetterequippedtorecognizeopportunityandclaimmyshare.AlreadyIhaverootedoutvilehabitsthatheldmeback,through daily repeating of the words on these scrolls, and thereconstructionhasonlybegun.LetmestartwhereIam,evenwithsomequalities still within me that often made me despise myself. Let meattend to them, one at a time, and use God’s strength to assist myweaknesses. At the very least I will be better than I am if I have thecouragetoreachbeyondmygraspandfaithenoughtobelieveIcanbewhatIoughttobe.InthepastIhavefoolishlyallowedmyfailuresandregretstosoweighmedownthatIhavehadtotravelalwayswithmyheadbowedlowandmyeyeson theground.Now thatmyheavy loadof thepasthasbeentossedasideandmyvisionhasbeenelevatedIcansee,everywherethatIlook,opendoorswelcomingmetoabetterlife.NeveragainwillIwaitandhopeforopportunitytoembraceme.EverydaywhenIpostmygoals,Iwilllist,attheverytop,areminderthat I should remainalert toopportunities.Andeachmorning,when Iawake, I will go forth to meet the day with a smile, no matter whatunpleasanttasksconfrontme.Opportunity, like love, isneverattractedbygloomanddespair.NowIknowthat thosewhosucceedbest in lifearealwayscheerfulandhopefulpeoplewhogoabouttheirworkwithasmileontheirfaceandtakethechancesandchangesofthismortallifewithhumorandgoodcheer,facingroughandsmoothalikeasitcomes.These are the wise men and women who always make moreopportunitiesthantheyfind.How could I have lived somany yearswithout perceiving the truththatnowissocleartome?Whyisitthatsomanyofusseethegoldenmomentsinthestreamofliferushpastusandwerecognizenothingbut

sand?Whydotheangelscometovisitusandweonlyknowthemaftertheyaregone?Opportunities,manytimes,aresosmallthatweglimpsethemnotandyettheyareoftentheseedsofgreatenterprises.OpportunitiesarealsoeverywhereandsoImustalwaysletmyhookbehanging.WhenIleastexpectit,agreatfishwillswimby.NeveragainwillIwaitandhopeforopportunitytoembraceme.IamnotthepersonIwasonlyafewweeksago.Opportunitieswillneverremainconcealedfrommeagain.NolongerdoIwailandtearmyclothesandcurseattheworldformylackof thegood things in life. I am still discontentedwithmy lot butnowit isadiscontent that stands in therainandsearches theheavensfor theblue skyand stars.There are twokindsofdiscontented in thisworld,thediscontentedthatworksandthediscontentedthatwringsitshands. The first gets what it wants and the second loses what it has.Thereisnocureforthefirstbutsuccessandthereisnocureatall forthesecond.IknowwhoIam.IlikewhoIam.Thankyou,God.NowIunderstandthatopportunityknocksatnodoor.ShewillansweronlywhenIknock.Iwillknockoftenandloud.NeveragainwillIwaitandhopeforopportunitytoembraceme.

XVIITHENINTHVOWOFSUCCESS

Ihavebeentooeasyonmyself.Ihaveclosedthebookoneachdaymuchtooswiftly.NeverhaveItakenthetime,beforeretiring,totallythecostofboth

thegoodandthebadthatIhavebroughtuponmyselfduringtheday.NeverhaveIdaredtoreview,withcourageandhonesty,mythoughts

andwordsandactionsofonedayinordertobettershapethenext.Thetruthaboutsuccessandhowtoachieveithasneverbeenhidden

fromme.IhavejustbeensocaughtupinthestruggletosurvivethatIfailedtorecognizeit.At the completion of eachday, Iwas donewith it.Any blunders or

failuresoraccidentsthatdarkenedmyhourswerequicklyexcusedaway.Tomorrowisanewday,Iwouldpromisemyself.Perhapslifewouldbekindertome.Wrong!Atlastmyvisionisinfocus.NowIcanseethattheworldisamarketwhereeverythingismarked

atasetpriceandImuststandbymydecision,whateverIbuywithmytime,labor,andingenuity,whetheritberiches,ease,fame,integrity,orknowledge. Imust never act like a childwho,whenhehaspurchasedone thing, regrets that he does not possess another. Since the dailytradesthatImakeforpartofmylifearedifficulttorescind, letmebecertaininthefuturethatIamlayingupthingsofvalueandpermanenceformytoilandsweat.Theonlywaythatcanbedone,withcertainty,isformetoperformaspecialexercise,daily,beforeIsurrendertosleep.AlwayswillIexamine,eachnight,mydeedsofthefadingday.Theveryworstofmyvicesandbadhabitswillabateofthemselvesif

theyarebroughttoanaccountingeveryday.Whatajoy,whatablessedsleepwillalwaysfollowsuchapersonalinspection.Questionsforminmyheadwithlittleprompting:WhatinfirmityhaveImasteredtoday?Whatpassionopposed?

Whattemptationresisted?Whatvirtueacquired?Through these scrolls I have already commenced to greet each newdaywith a plan so that the high road uponwhich I travel ismarkedwell. Now, at day’s end, I will carefully weigh the progress and theproblemsofmyjourneyandthislatestofmyacquiredgoodhabitswillcreate,inmymind,adiaryoftodayandatextbookfortomorrow.AlwayswillIexamine,eachnight,mydeedsofthefadingday.Intheevening,assoonasmycandleisextinguished,IwillreviewthewordsandactionsofeveryhourofthedayandIwillallownothingtoescape my examination for why should I fear the sight of my errorswhenIhavethepowertoadmonishandforgivemyself?Perhaps I was a little too cutting in a certain dispute. My opinionmightwellhavebeenwithheldfor itstungbutdidnogood.Thethingwastruebutall truthsarenot tobespokenatall times. I shouldhaveheldmytongueforthereisnocontending,eitherwithfoolsorwithoursuperiors.Ihavedoneillbutitshallbesonomore.Experienceisthenamethatmankindhasalwaysgiventoitsfolliesorits sorrows. It need not be so. Today’s lessons can be tomorrow’sfoundationforabetterlifeprovidingIhavethewilltolearnfromthemandIdo.AlwayswillIexamine,eachnight,mydeedsofthefadingday.Letmereviewmyactions,letmeobservemyselfasmygreatestenemymightdoandIwillbecomemyownbestfriend.Iwillbegin,rightnow,tobecomewhatIwillbehereafter.DarknessmayfallbutsleepwillnotcloudmyeyesuntilIhavereviewed,infull,theeventsofmyday.WhathaveIleftundonewhichoughttobedone?WhathaveIdonewhichcouldhavebeendonebetter?One of the great undiscovered joys of this life comes from doingeverything one attempts to the best of one’s ability. There is a specialsenseofsatisfaction,aprideinsurveyingsuchawork,aworkwhichisrounded, full, exact, complete in all its parts, which the superficialpersonwholeaveshisorherworkinaslovenly,slipshod,half-finishedcondition, canneverknow. It is this conscientious completenesswhichturnsanyworkintoart.Thesmallesttask,welldone,becomesamiracleofachievement.Today’s work will be surpassed tomorrow. It cannot be otherwise.

Improvementforeverfollowsexaminationandreview.Everyoneshouldbewisertodaythanyesterday.AlwayswillIexamine,eachnight,mydeedsofthefadingday.DidIsurvivethedaywithoutpityingmyself?DidIgreetthedawnwithamapandagoal?WasIpleasantandagreeabletoallImet?Did I attempt to go the extra mile? Did I remain alert foropportunities?DidIsearchforthegoodineveryproblem?DidIsmileinthefacesofangerandhatred?DidIconcentratemystrengthandpurpose?WhatcanbemoreprofitablethanthisdailyreviewofmylifesothatIcanliveitwithprideandsatisfaction?Nolongerwillmydayendwhenthesunsets.Thereisnow,onemoreacttoperform.AlwayswillIexamine,eachnight,mydeedsofthefadingday.

XVIIITHEFINALVOW

Ipromise…Iswear…Ivow…toneverforgetthatthegreatesttalentGodhasbestowedon

me is the power to pray. Through triumph and despair, love andheartbreak,ecstasyandpain,applauseandrejection,successandfailure,Icanalwayslightupthelampoffaithinmyheartwithaprayeranditwill leadme safely through themists of doubt, the black darkness offutility, the narrow, thornyways of sickness and sorrow, and over thetreacherousplacesoftemptation.NowIknowthatGodwillhearonlywhatmyheartspeaks.Inthemorning,prayeristhekeythatwillopentomethetreasuresof

God’sblessingsandintheeveningitisthekeythatplacesmeunderhisprotection.So long as it is possible to pray, there is always hope and courage.

Without prayer I can do little; with it all things are possible. Let thistenthandfinalvowforeverguidemeintheconductofmylife:AlwayswillImaintaincontact,throughprayer,withmycreator.Thefewerwords,thebetterprayer.Amongmyprayerswillbethesesimplewords…

PrayertoanUnseenFriend

MyspecialFriend,thankYouforlisteningtome.YouknowhowhardIamtryingtofulfillYourfaithinme.ThankYou,also,forthisplaceinwhichIdwell.Letneitherworknorplay,

nomatterhowsatisfyingorglorious,everseparateme,forlong,fromthelovethatunitesmypreciousfamily.Teachme how to play the game of lifewith fairness, courage, fortitude,

andconfidence.Provide me with a few friends who understand me and yet remain my

friends.Allowmeaforgivingheartandamindunafraidtotraveleventhoughthe

trailmaynotbemarked.Givemeasenseofhumorandalittleleisurewithnothingtodo.Helpmetostriveforthehighestlegitimaterewardofmerit,ambition,and

opportunity, and yet never allow me to forget to extend a kindly, helpinghandtootherswhoneedencouragementandassistance.Providemewith the strength to encounterwhatever is to come, that I be

brave in peril, constant in tribulation, temperate in anger, and alwayspreparedforanychangeoffortune.Enable me to give a smile instead of a frown, a cheerful kindly word

insteadofharshnessandbitterness.Makemesympathetictothegriefofothers,realizingthattherearehidden

woesineverylife,nomatterhowexalted.Keepmeforeversereneineveryactivityoflife,neitherundulyboastfulnor

giventothemoreserioussinofself-depreciation.In sorrow,maymy soul be uplifted by the thought that if therewere no

shadow,therewouldbenosunshine.Infailure,preservemyfaith.Insuccess,keepmehumble.Steadymetodothefullshareofmywork,andmore,aswellasIcan,and

whenthatisdone,stopme,paywhatwagesThouwilt,andpermitmetosay,fromalovingheart…agratefulAmen.

XIX

Erasmuswas seated on awooden bench, near the courtyard’shuge fountain, his elbows resting on his knees. He continued to staredownathissandalsevenafterheheardfootstepsapproaching.“Whatiswrong,Erasmus?”Galenusaskeduncertainly.“Howlonghashebeenaloneonthatmountain?”Galenus smiled. Itwas the samequestionhehadheard,many times

eachday,forthepastweek.“Twenty-eightdayshavenowpassedsincewepartedcompanywithHafid.”Erasmus shook his head despondently and stood. “Please walk with

me,Galenus.Yourcompanionshipandsmilingfacehavebeenpricelessassetsduringtheseworry-filleddays.”Soontheywereonthenorthsideofthelandscapedpatioandstanding

beneaththearcadeofcypresstreesthatshelteredLisha’stomb.Erasmusnodded toward thenearbymahoganybenchandsaid,“Everymorning,whenHafidishome,healwayssitsthereandtalkstohisLishaasifshewerenearby,pickingflowers.Thenhenaps.Theonlythinghedislikedabouthis speaking tours,heoften said,was thathemissedconversingwithhisladyeveryday.”“In all my strolls I have never ventured into this part of the

courtyard,”saidthepromoterashecontinuedwalkingtowardtheraisedmarblevaultwhileErasmusrestedonHafid’sfavoritebench.“Whatanunusualrose!”exclaimedGalenus,suddenlykneelingbefore

thethornygreenbushthatguardedthesinglebronzedoorofthetomb.“Whatcanbesounusualaboutawhiterose?”Erasmussighed.“It is

there because itwas Lisha’s favorite.WhenHafid is finally entombed,next toher, hehas requested thatweplant a red rose close to Lisha’swhiteone.”“Erasmus!”Galenuscriedout.“Youmustcomehere!Now!”Startledbytheurgencyinhisguest’svoice,theoldbookkeeperleaped

upandhurried towardGalenuswhowas sittingon theground,mouthajar,histremblinghandpointingtowardadoubleroseinfullbloom.

“Look,Erasmus!”Clustersofwhiteroses,bothinbudandbloom,nearlycoveredthetallplantbutGalenuswaspointingtoonlyonerose.“Itcannotbe,”sobbedErasmus,fallingtohisknees.“Itcannotbe!”“Butitis,”shoutedGalenusashestaredindisbelief.“Alovelyredrosegrowingonawhiterosebush!”“SomethinghashappenedtoHafid,”moanedErasmus.“Wemustgotohim.Now!”In less thananhour,asmallcarriageracedoutof thepalacestablesand by noon,withGalenus at the reins, they had reached the base ofMountHermon. Soon after they had commenced their climb, ErasmusconsultedhismapanddirectedGalenustotherightwhentheyarrivedata three-pronged fork in the dirt road. Later, they passed the giantcolumnofstoneandErasmussaid,“Weshouldbethereverysoon.Hissmallretreat,Sergiusoncetoldme,issecludedinagroveoftrees.”“There it is,” shoutedGalenus,wavinghiswhip toward the standofjunipers surroundedbywhite rocks anddrifting sand.As soon as theyentered the grove, Galenus brought the wagon to a stop. Only a fewcubitsaheadstoodHafid’swagonwithitsreinstossedoverathickpostnearthefrontofthesmallhouse.“Apparentlyhe ispreparing toreturn toDamascus,” saidErasmusashe and Galenus stepped from their wagon, “Hafid has probablycompleted his task, at last, and is coming home. It appears that ourworriesandthistripwereinvain.”Galenus knocked on the front door several times but there was noresponse. He turned toward Erasmus who, without hesitation, slowlypushed open the door and called out, “Hafid! Hafid! This is Erasmus.Answerme,please!”Therewasnoresponse.Assoonastheywereinside,Erasmussawthelargewriting tablewith its quills and bottles of ink.On the tablewasanother familiar object. “Look, there is the old chest that HafidpurchasedinRome!”The chestwas open and filled to the topwith scrolls. “Galenus, seehow these scrolls have been numbered on the outside of each skin byHafid.Thatisexactlyhowtheotherscrolls,thathereceivedsolongago,weremarked.IfIdidnotknowbetter,IwouldswearthatIwaslookingat the original chest and scrolls that Pathros passed on to mymaster

whenhewasonlyacamelboy.Thisis,indeed,adayofmiracles.”Erasmus reached into the chest, removed the scrollmarkedwith theRomannumeral“X,”untiedthesmallgreenribbon,andslowlyunrolledtheparchment.“Thanksbe toGod,”he said, smilingashe turned theparchment sothatGalenus could seeHafid’swriting. “Themaster has completedhismission.Thisisthefinalscroll.Now,letusfindthemansothatwecanallgohome.Hecannotbefar.”Shoutinghisname, theywentout the frontdoorand slowlyworkedtheirway around to the rearwhere they could see the circle ofwhitebouldersforthefirsttime.“Therehe is,”shoutedErasmus,“leaningagainst the largestboulder!PraisebetoGod.Hafid!Hafid!”Erasmuscouldnotmoveasswiftlyashisyoungercompanion.Bythetimehehadarrivedattheboulder,Galenushadalreadyarisenfromhiskneeling positionwith both hands upraised. Tearswere flowing downhischeeksandhesobbed,“Erasmus,ourfriendisdead.HafidisfinallywithhisbelovedLisha.”Erasmusmoanedand fell to theground,cradling the lifeless formofhismaster against his chest. “The body is still warm. Hadwe arrivedearlierwemighthave savedhim.Hediedalone.That isnot right.Hedied alone. Oh, Hafid, please forgive me. Have mercy on me for nottakingbettercareof thee. I loveyou. I’mso sorry thatyouhad todiealone.”Awarmbreezesuddenlyblewacrossthemountain.GalenuskneltnearErasmusandsaid,“Dryyourtears,oldbookkeeper.Yourmasterdidnotdiealone.”“Whatdoyoumean?”criedErasmusashecontinuedtostrokeHafid’sforeheadgently.“Hedidnotdiealone,”repeatedGalenus.“Look!”In their deep sorrow and shock, neither had noticed that wrappedaround the shoulders of the greatest salesman in theworldwas a redrobe…afrayedredrobe.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

OGMANDINOisthemostwidelyreadinspirationalandself-helpauthorintheworldtoday.Hisfourteenbookshavesoldmorethantwenty-fivemillioncopiesineighteenlanguages.ThousandsofpeoplefromallwalksoflifehaveopenlycreditedOgMandinowithturningtheirlivesaroundandforthemiracletheyhavefoundinhiswords.Hisbooksofwisdom,inspiration,andloveincludeABetterWaytoLive;TheChoice;TheChristCommission; The Gift of Acabar; The Greatest Miracle in the World; TheGreatestSalesmanintheWorld;TheGreatestSalesmanintheWorld,PartII:TheEndoftheStory;TheGreatestSecretintheWorld;TheGreatestSuccessintheWorld;Mission:Success!;OgMandino’sUniversityofSuccess;andTheReturnoftheRagpicker.