This is the title of a short novel by Elena Sokolova published in the author’s collection called Footsteps in Time. The novel is allegorical to a certain extend; it touches on deep problems of our everyday life. The author raises moral questions and offers ways of solving them. The idea of Christian values rooted in the Bible permeates this piece of work — values like kindness, love, help with no-strings-attached and care for others. And even though God is never mentioned in the novel, it is clear that it is His concern for His Creation that gives hope and comfort to those who believe to His messenger. The following passage from this novel gives us a glimpse of dramatic events that happen on its pages:
Decent citizens established associations and unions that proclaimed the principles of goodness. Even though these societies supported honest citizens, an economic meltdown happened in our dreamland one day. Things almost ended up in a civil war.
And it is at that time, in the very pinnacle of the chaos, a mysterious king came to this country from an unseen and unreachable land.
He walked from one settlement to another telling people about his kingdom. He said that it doesn’t have any boundaries and will have place for every person. And if it would ran out of place then the king will prepare new spaces. He also said that in his kingdom no one gets sick or dies.
And there was the king himself, inviting each and every person to become his subject.
Multitudes of people came to listen to him.
One day thousands of people sat near the walls of the main city in the dreamland located at the foot of the mountain in a beautiful blossomy valley.
The king along with his associates stood near the rock in such a way that everyone saw him and that the sound of his voice reflected from the rock was heard throughout the valley.
The king was dressed in simple clothes, he wore sandals on his feet and had no jewels, but his gaze, his gestures and his voice showed the dignity and grandeur of the sovereign and prosperous person who had pure mind and a generous heart.
People listened to his every word with profound reverence. He was saying the following:
“It is good to be kind, merciful and generous. That what the real treasure is. And I am capable of preserving this kind of treasure. Those who give their possessions for the development and growth of my kingdom will become my subjects and will receive their right for the eternal life, and for this temporary life I will give them what I see necessary.”
“But what guaranties do you give?” — was heard from the crowd.
“There is only one guaranty — my word. You either believe it or not.”
“I believe you,” — said a young woman and came forward.
“I do believe you,” — she said again.
The language that this novel uses is simple and easy-to-understand; it doesn’t leave us, readers, indifferent toward its characters and events. Taking into account the highly moral meaning of this work for today’s society the Concordia Foundation decided to financially support the audio recording of this work in order for it to be broadcasted on one of the leading channels. Watch for updates on our website so that you know when to catch this event.
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