A layer of sand shimmering like a sea of gold covered the desert floor for as far as the eye could see. The sky was bright blue. High above, the sun shined brightly, and the winds blew its hot breath across the desert.

A towering rock stabbed into the high noon sky. As the sun slowly moved across the horizon, it would begin to cast a shadow, resembling a giant sundial.

Those who knew this desert, called the rock “the Hour Hand of the Centuries.”

At the foot of the rock a cool spring of clear water mirrored the heaven, but the red sand at the bottom of the spring tinged the water the color of blood. The spring was known to desert wayfarers as “the Fountain of Blood and Sky.”

Missionaries spread the words of their faith to the desert winds and the winds blew forth armies to enforce the faith. It seemed the fire of faith burned bright and hot as the desert sun.

At this still moment of time there was peace in the desert, not a single footstep of man disturbed the sand.

From the desert haze, two figures appeared suddenly. From the west came a young rider his armour shined in the sun. His shield bearing the design of his family hung at his side and in his hand, he held a long lance.

Out of the east on foot came another man slender as a palm tree, wearing a dark blue head covering. His long dark brown hair cascaded out from under his head covering. He stopped and gazed at the knight who rode from the west.

Just then, the knight leveled his lance spurred his charger and road full gallop toward the stranger.

The horseless one, unafraid and unflinching cried out: “Oh knight! Is it customary for an armed knight to attack an unarmed wayfarer?”

The charging knight reigned his horse. Setting his lance down into the sand he dismounted and approached the young man. “Prithy tell, who art thou? From what people comest thou? To what noble order of knighthood dost thou belong?”

The young man looked into the blue eyes of the knight of the west and began: “I come from the people of Judah. I am a knight of the Creator of the World and the symbols of my order have survived for thousands of years. Surely your Crusading forbears had much to tell about the spirit and bravery of my fathers.”

“I have heard such tales of wonder and great feats,” said the knight

Our order continued the Knight of the Two Tablets of the Law, “flourishes in every corner of the world. Wherever men defend freedom and righteousness you will find us in the front lines of battle.”

“If thou art such stout warriors, why hast thou not taken back the Holy Land from which the Romans banished thee?”

“Have you ever wondered why the powerful Crusaders could not keep the Holy Land after they had taken it?” asked the Knight of the Two Tablets of the Law. “We believe that no one can possess the Holy Land until the coming of Messiah.”

There was silence. The red sun was setting in the west horizon and the shadow of the “Hour Hand of the Centuries” lengthened until it touched the horizon. The ‘Fountain of Blood and Sky’ no longer glistened red. The large moon silvered the stream and the two knights vanished into the distance.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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