Double-edged

Press, 30 December 1980, Page 8

Double-edged

In days of old when soldiers charged into battle on horseback and fought with swords, two officers of a king’s army met on a peaceful country road and were -ready to fight a duel over a trivial issue about a statue which stood as a symbol of victory. The moral is that there . are always two sides.:,, to an argument. The story illustrates this truth because the brave soldiers were prepared to cross swords about two sides of part of the statue. They were s both- right and wrong, depending on the way you look at it. You will be ' able to judge this for yourselves after you have read the story, about two soldiers who met by chance at the foot Qf a,magnificent statue. t ■. \ . The ,men had been riding for a long time, but as they severe „traveiling towards .each; other the distance them was becomihg shorter. Neither was 'aware; that, Ke ' was heading-for a memorable encounter s 'T Suddenly, the statue loomed up about half-way between the two strangers. At first it ; Seemed like a

shining mirage after miles of flat green countryside. Towering above a lofty pedestal stood a figure o'f a woman. Her sword w’as sheathed and a shield rested at her feet. Entwined around her forehead was- a wreath of laurel leaves. It was an imposing symbol of victory sculptured in precious metals. The two soldiers could not take their eyes away from the shining shield. As the first man to reach the statue stood marvelling inwardly that the shield was made of solid gold he was surprised to hear a voice from the other side exclaim loudly that it was made of purest silver. Until this moment neither had been aware that he was not alone. The two army officers soon became acquainted, from a distance. At first they disagreed with polite, good humour, but the argument became vehement as one tried to convince the other that he was wrong. An angry quarrel developed. Each man began to feel inculted that the other thought he diu not know the difference between gold and silver.

They drew swords to fight over this point of honour, but before their blades had crossed a third voice was heard begging them not to be hasty. A girlish figure in white stood between them, and asked wiiat they were fighting about. After hearing the angry accusations, the girl» led eaca man to look at the shield from the other, side. Great Was their astonishment when they saw that the shield had two sides — one of gold and one of silver. •

Each man had been right and.at the same time wrong.

The two soldiers laughed heartily and shook hands, but that was not the end of the trivial disagreement which nearly ended in bloodshed. The little maiden suddenly changed into a tall and stately woman, so queenly that the soldiers bowed low before her. The regal woman spoke, saying: “Go and be my knights, faithful and true. My name is peace,” With these words the vision faded; and the soldiers walked away chatting like old friends.