THE SWORD AND SICKLE

CHAPTER THREE: LAIDA

THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART ONE

CHAPTER THREE

LAIDA

Adonai appeared to Levi and said, "You will have intercourse with Laida, and she will bear you a daughter who will be a witness of the savior's return. Alinda will prepare the way for your daughter by cutting a wide swath. Soon, she will appear to you in a dream and will prophesy of the coming days of the destruction of the great nation. She will symbolize to the world that no one is impure to me. I, Adonai, the Voice of the unknowable God, shall use any vessel that I have wrought from the dust as a witness of my return."

The Voice of Prophecy, Chapter 24: verses 1 and 2

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In the year nineteen ninety-one, Levi taught an adult education class in a nearby town. The class, for experienced oil painters, was to learn how to paint portraits. He had always been a talented artist and had a gift for capturing the image of people on canvas. This talent he felt others could learn, so he advertised for experienced painters for the class, because he felt it would be difficult to teach a person first how to paint, and not have them slow down the more experienced artists learning portraiture. As time grew closer for the class, the enrollment proceeded very well, and he was looking forward to the day the class would begin.

One night, while in his office, the phone rang and Levi answered, "Hello, this is Levi." On the phone, he heard the voice of a distinguished sounding man, "Mr. Jackson, this is Jim Polanski, and I would like for you to enroll my wife in your portrait painting class, this August."

Levi replied, "I am glad that you called. I have one more opening to fill. Tell me, Mr. Polanski, does your wife have any experience painting?"

"Well, Mr. Jackson, she doesn't have any experience in painting, but what she lacks in experience, she more than makes up with enthusiasm. I assure you that there will be no problem for you."

"Mr. Polanski, I am afraid it would not be fair to the other students to have a slower student in the class. That is why I advertised for experienced painters. I am sorry. I am afraid I cannot help you."

Mr. Polanski did not answer for a few moments and then said, "I am sorry I have wasted your time," and then hung up. Levi went on with his studies and forgot about it until a few days later, when he received another phone call from Mr. Polanski. "Mr. Jackson, may I call you Levi?"

"Sure, in fact, I prefer to be called by my first name. How can I help you today?"

"Levi, I am calling on behalf of my wife. She really wants to take this class. She is begging me to convince you that she will not be a hindrance. She is a very talented artist and is a young woman of thirty-five, intelligent, a very enthusiastic person with a wonderful personality and I guarantee you she will not slow your class down."

Levi replied, "Well, Jim, I am not sure. I feel it will not be fair to the others."

"Please, Levi, she is going to be hell to deal with if you turn her down."