Making New Friends

When I was in the monastery it never Seemed important that other folks have other Faiths. What was the chance, that after all I ever would have much to do with people Of strange, and much worse yet, intolerant Religions.

How can religions be intolerant?

Do they not all teach fatherhood of God And brotherhood of man? There must be some Misunderstanding here, or else I missed The mark when Brother Cyprios explained The underlying common elements Of almost all the earth's professing faiths.

It would be good to speak with Brother Andre, To disentangle some of this. But that, I cannot do.

He is in Heaven; he's dead.

It takes some time for Jack to get his bearings. He's not used to almost all of what is suddenly both new and normal. At first he tries almost too hard to please, and soon he learns that little sisters can be quick to take advantage. He has to find a middle way between standing back and being walked on.

And what an amazing range of curious ploys four little girls come up with! How straightforward the good old monks were, in comparison. Jack has to learn a whole new set of skills, learn to get along with four new sisters. Well, get along - survive with.

Truusje knows how to twist him round her little finger, it seems instinctively. She has the cutest tiny pouty mouth, and it has an astonishing effect on Jack. Whatever comes out of that mini-mouth has far more impact with him than it should!