As the water follows the moon

9 (English version)

Where there is love, there's also pain

I do not seek to be consoled as much as to console

Or to be understood as to understand

Or to be loved as to love

For it is in giving, that they receive

And in pardoning that they are pardoned

And in dying they are born to eternal life

Having become a monk, Teddy was naпve to think that the fussy world outside his quiet haven – the monastery – didn't exist any more, but God had his own big plans for him. And he was preparing a new test for his son. Teddy and his brothers were supposed to go to Croatia and take part in some religious youth festival.

- We may ask you to perform there on the stage one of your songs devoted to our Lord, - Father Dominic said and Teddy's soul, so still as a lake in a windless weather, disturbed at once.

For more than a year he hasn't played the guitar and couldn't even imagine that so soon his fingers would be able to touch its clanging strings. Hearing Father Dominic's words, Teddy experienced opposite feelings. From the one hand he was happy for an opportunity to sing again. He had always thought that he was born to bring joy to people through his music. Parting with this love of his, he grieved no less than because of his breaking up with Catarina.

From the other hand, it was not easy for him to go through it all once more, to feel again everything he had felt performancing before the audience - and that was scary. He ran away from this life and for a long time he's been convincing himself that he didn't want to go back to it. So why did it seek for him?

But he said "yes" because music was still his life together with his belief.

Waiting for the trip, Teddy felt restless. For hours he kept on praying and asking Lord to strengthen his spirit.

- I'll take any trial, Lord, - he said, kneeling at night in his cell. – Just show me the right way, I'm begging you! I don't want to be tempted constantly! I'm not that sure of myself yet...Please, don't leave me in the hour of need and help me when I stumble and go off my chosen path...

On the festival there came a lot of young people from different European countries. Teddy didn't even suspect at first that some of them (especially female ones) have come for him only. It became clear when he went on the stage. Luckily, girls didn't behave like in the old times during "The Reily family" concerts – they didn't tear their hair, didn't scream his name hysterically and didn't throw soft toys into their idol, but still they were his faithful fans. They devotedly watched his performance, caught every word and some of them even cried quietly. Teddy felt uncomfortable.

He wanted to talk to Father Dominic again. This man was like a real father to him now. Ever since that first conversation when Teddy confessed of his weakness, he has been telling his tutor about all his doubts and sorrows. It seemed to him that Father Dominic understood everything Teddy's ever felt – his pain, his joy, his hesitations. May be he had felt something similar when he was young too. Teddy didn't ask but sincerely hoped that some fine day he would know this priest's story. They were good friends, but still it was not easy for a young monk to tell about his reluctance to sing before his fans again.

- This must have been a bad idea, - he said in the evening to Father Dominic.

- Because of these people who came for you? – his tutor guessed. – I've just thought about it. But you don't want them to be here?

- You know that I've been...popular, - lowing his eyes Teddy went on. – These people used to chase me but I hoped they would respect my decision...