‘True Tales’ series – volume 7
If we are to survive the cruel jungle, especially during this Pandemic, we must balance force with gentleness, aggressiveness with compassion, otherwise we foment wars we cannot win. In rare moments, a messiah descends upon us to the rescue.
A book on a collection of ‘True Tales’ is forthcoming.
eastwind journals – March 11, 2(023 – archives tr77
By Bernie V. Lopez, eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com
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This story is inspired by on an old movie (fiction, not a true tale), starring John Wayne as a legendary gunslinger. Let us call him Matt Perry. Matt rides to a farm, tired from a long journey. He asks for water. The farmer’s wife, Rose, hands him a bowl of water, but Matt spits it out. It is murky and smelly.
ROSE – I’m sorry. Water is scarce. My neighbor Pete refuses to share, and dams the water for himself and for his cows. Our sheep are dying.
MATT – So what are you doing about it?
ROSE – We are praying for him to share his water.
MATT – (Laughing) You cannot do it through prayer. You have to use force. That’s the only way.
ROSE – No, prayer is more effective.
MATT – I’ll prove it to you. Matt rides over to Pete’s farm and surveys the large pond formed by the dam.
MATT – Good morning, sir. My, you got plenty of water.
PETE – There is a dry spell and my cows will die.
MATT – How many cows you got?
PETE – Fifty.
MATT – You got more water than you need. Your neighbors also need water.
PETE – What’s it to you? Who might you be?
MATT – Matthew Perry.
PETE– Oh, THE Matt Perry, fastest gun from Tombstone?
MATT – Yup, that’s me.
PETE – Nonsense. You’re bluffing. (He looks at Matt’s saddle and sees the initial “MP”.) Oh yes you are the famous gunslinger, alright.
MATT – (Resting his hand on his holstered gun.) You better share your water, mister. Your neighbors are aching.
PETE – Yes sir, right away sir. (He unlocks the gate to his dam and water flows instantly to the next five farms downstream.)
MATT – Would you like to come with me? I want you to meet someone.
PETE – Do I have a choice?
MATT – Guess not. (As they arrive at Rose’s farm.) Hi, Rose, this is your neighbor Pete.
ROSE – We know each other.
MATT – Pete, you have something to say to Rose?
PETE – I am sorry for being greedy, ma’am. I apologize. Well this here fella made me change my mind.
ROSE – It’s alright. I forgive you. But no thanks to you. Thanks to Matt. Nice and neighborly of you to change your mind though. The water is flowing well. You just saved 120 of my sheep. (She disappears and comes back with a sheep on a leash.) My gift to you, Pete, lamb chops. When you give, you receive in return. That’s how life is.
MATT – And if you don’t give, you lose double. Know what I mean?
PETE – Yes sir. Mighty nice of you, Ma’am.
MATT – (To Rose) Do you see what I mean? You have to use force to fight for your rights. Prayers will not do you any good.
ROSE – My prayers were answered. The Lord sent you.
MATT – Well, I’ll be damned.
ROSE – No, you’ll be blest. Go your way. The Lord is now with you.
PETE – Gunmen have strange ways.
ROSE – The Lord has even stranger ways, Pete.
PETE – Come visit me sometime, ma’am. I will prepare the best sirloin for you to match the lamb chops.
ROSE – Mighty nice of you. May I bring my husband Gerry? You know him.
PETE – Yes, please. Tomorrow evening?
ROSE – Okay. See, Matt, if you give, you get double.
MATT – Thank you kindly, ma’am.
PETE – You want to come along, sir?
MATT – No thanks, mister. I got miles to go before I sleep.
PETE – Robert Frost.
ROSE – (As the two ride out.) Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of time. For I was hungry and you gave me food. (She screams to be heard as they move on.) I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. My sheep were thirsty and you gave them water. Matthew chapter 25 verse 35 to 45. (The two laugh as they vanish.)
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More Inspirational Articles – eastwindjournals.com.
FOR THOSE WHO NEED HEALING, spiritual or physical (depression, anxiety, loneliness, terminal cancer, covid, diabetes, etc.) – say an online healing prayer with one or both healers below. Terminal patients have been healed in cyberspace. All you need is to have faith –
1) Father Fernando Suarez – www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UP3LHBgtIc.
2) Sr. Raquel Reodica, RVM – www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAZcwNimBSg
Download free e-book ‘Healing Stories of Sr. Raquel’ at eastwindjournals.com/2021/08/13/healing-stories-of-sr-raquel-e-book-free-download/).
Author’s book. At age 26, the author (eastwind) drifted through Europe, hitchhiking 25,000 kilometers for three straight years. He wrote a book on his adventures, Wings and Wanderlust. He learned deep insights that radically changed his view of life, which he wants to share with readers looking for themselves or wanting to catch the wind. More about the book = https://eastwindjournals.com/2023/02/25/more-about-the-book-wings-and-wanderlust/
Author’s Credentials. Blogger – ex-Columnist (Inquirer) – Healing Ministry – ex-Professor (Ateneo University) – Documentary Producer-Director (freelance, ex-ABS-CBN, ex-TVS Tokyo) – ex-Broadcaster (Radio Veritas) – Facebook “Bernie V. Lopez Eastwind” / Pages “Eastwind Journeys and Journals” and “Mary Queen of Peace”.
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