A long time ago in a land far away, there lived two brothers. Their father was a wealthy landowner with holdings stretching across the countryside.

The boys grew up in a loving household, each treated fairly by their father, and educated by the finest teachers. They studied with the wisest of the wise holy men who shared lessons of scripture with the two lads.

Harry was the younger brother. He had a sensible nature and a keen wit. He loved learning and if there was a choice between a book or a game – the pages of a good story always won out.

Leon was a little older than Harry, and very different from his younger brother. He had a quick temper, tended to act impulsively and he had an imposing physicality. Leon was tall, broad and awfully strong. He loved to run races, he competed at sports.

The boys grew to be men with wives of their own, and their dear father died. The family mourned their patriarch, in the tradition of the time and they were grateful to God for having given them a fine father for so many years.

But then, not too long after, something good happened that turned out to be terrible. Gold was found in the hills on Leon’s property.

After their father’s passing, the real estate was divided equally between the two brothers. Everyone was happy with the arrangement until Leon discovered the gold. It was like something snapped inside his head. All he could think about was the riches buried under the ground.

Leon was determined to find all the treasures hidden in the resources of Mother Earth. The heartiest men in town were hired to dig for gold. Leon’s lush green fields turned into giant rabbit holes with mounds of dirt, torn up trees, and healthy green grass obliterated.

Harry saw the destruction and was appalled. He found no temptation to do the same. He and his wife Nell had more than enough to eat from their abundant gardens and enjoyed their simple life without need for more.

Months passed and Leon grew richer and more greedy. The gold became a drug, an obsession he could not control. Every week Leon paid a visit to his brother Harry trying to convince him to allow his gold miners to dig on Harry and Nell’s acres. The answer was always a firm no.

The meetings grew more contentious as the year went on until one day Leon threatened to takeover Harry’s land by force. A war between brothers was unthinkable to peace loving Harry, and he knew the time had come to do something about it.

Harry prayed hard, petitioning God for guidance. Answered prayers came swiftly. Harry ran home to and approached his wife Nell in the garden she tended so faithfully.

“It’s time to leave.” he said. “Leon is not in his right mind, and I fear we are in danger. We must pack light, leave everything we have behind and start a new life elsewhere...read more 

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