As they started out next morning, Seth felt especially good. The fellowship, the food, the lesson - everything seemed to have set just right with him. The air was clear, the temperature was cool but not cold, and he felt a great sense of well-being.
"I feel great!" He shouted.
Two travelers ahead of them turned and smiled, then went on their way.
"I'm glad," said Maturity. "You're doing very well."
"Yes, I am, aren't I?" responded Seth, half in jest, but also with a pleasant sense of self-confidence. "I feel like I'm learning quite a lot about Kingdom life."
"I think you are, too. And you're about to learn even more, because here come the Twins."
As he spoke, two men came around the corner, moving fast and in their haste almost colliding with Seth. "Oh, I beg your pardon," said one, and Seth could see that they were indeed identical twins. The one who spoke carried a rifle; other than that, they were dressed alike and looked alike in all respects.
"Why don't you come along with me?" the first twin asked. "I'm going back to the chasm to defend the Kingdom. We've got a real battle going with the prince of the outer world."
He raised his rifle over his head, pointing it in the direction of the chasm. The second twin pushed him aside, and stood between him and Seth. "Don't listen to him! That isn't the way we fight battles here in the Kingdom."
"Yes, it is," rejoined the first. "King and Country!"
"You're wrong!" the second shouted.
Seth turned to Maturity, who merely smiled. Seth turned back to the twins, but they had seemingly forgotten him, and were arguing their way on down the road away from them. He turned back to Maturity, and at the same moment saw another set of identical twins approaching. They were women, this time.
"Good morning," one hailed them.
"Good morning," replied Seth.
"Have you just come from a learning stop?"
"Yes, I have, and a very interesting one."
"What was the lesson?" asked the second twin.
"We talked about growing and learning about Kingdom life."
"Wonderful!" said the first woman. "Everyone should know the rules. Have you given any thought to punishment?"
"Punishment?"
"Yes, punishment. What do you do when someone breaks the rules?"
Seth didn't know what to say, but that was okay because the woman went right on talking. "Here, we believe in capital punishment - you know, death - for all serious crimes. An eye for an eye, as they say. It's important that we be firm."
After his encounter with the first twins, Seth expected the second woman to say something contrary. He looked at her, and she raised her eyebrows and smiled an odd, knowing smile.
"Right?" asked Seth.
"Wrong!" she replied.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because," she said, "We never enforce capital punishment. It is expressly forbidden."
"Oh, it is not," interrupted her sister.
"It is."
"We have to have it!"
"No!"
Seth wasn't surprised this time when the twins forgot him completely and went off down the road, arguing loudly. He turned to Maturity, who was smiling at Seth's obvious befuddlement.
"I told you that you were about to learn something."
"But I didn't learn anything!" responded Seth, not knowing if he should be amused or frustrated. "These twins were saying absolutely contrary things, and the questions they address are so serious I'm sure both cannot be right. Which are the right answers, and how can they disagree so completely?"
"I think I should refer your question to someone else - a good friend of mine, and I hope soon a good friend of yours. I suspect we'll be meeting him soon. He's always around, although he's not always in evidence."
They walked on in silence, Seth deep in puzzled thought. About a quarter-mile up the road, they came upon a man sitting on a log. He appeared to be waiting for someone, and Seth soon learned that the "someone" was him.
"This is my friend, Wisdom," Maturity introduced the stranger, who immediately stood and held out his hand. Seth took it.
"How do you do, Mr. Wisdom? Can you help me with my questions about the twins?"
"Yes, but I'm afraid not in the way you wish. I can't give you an answer, as such - at least, not right now."
"But I am right that there is a definite answer - one of each is right, and the other wrong?"
"Oh, yes. Our King's philosophy and his Kingdom guidelines are clear-cut, and on issues of such importance there are very definite right - and wrong - answers."
Seth tried to formulate his thoughts. "Well, what I can't see is how two philosophies can exist on this side of the chasm, if only one is acceptable to the King."
Wisdom looked at Maturity, then back at Seth. "I can see that you don't completely understand how Kingdom life operates. That's understandable, I suppose. There is a lot to learn, and you haven't been here very long. Let me try to explain."
"Please do," said Seth.
Wisdom clasped his hands behind his back, and walked back and forth across the roadway as he talked. "First, there are some beliefs and philosophies that it is impossible to have on this side of the chasm. They are so different from the King's way that one of two things happen: either the ones who hold those beliefs don't want to cross the chasm; or, if they do, the bridge keeper won't let them pass. Do you understand, so far?"
Seth said that he did.
"All right. Now, many do cross the chasm who have certain beliefs that are different from the King's. He is honoring those beliefs for the time being, while he teaches us all to see the right way. He doesn't turn back anyone that a bridge keeper has let cross the chasm."
"But what about the twins?" interrupted Seth. "How do I find which is right?"
This time, Maturity spoke. "We'll help you with that, but sometimes it takes a little time. As we talk and visit learning stops, and you read The King's Handbook, I'm sure you'll get your answers. But be patient, it will all work out. And when you do see the truth, be understanding of others. Remember that the King is being charitable to all of us, and we have a responsibility to extend that charity and understanding."
Seth smiled, but his mind was unsettled.
"A problem?" asked Wisdom, who had discerned his uneasiness.
"I suppose not, really. I understand what you're saying - and I'll be patient - but these questions seem so important that having such divergent opinions must slow down and confuse Kingdom life. How can we function as a body when we disagree on such vital points?"
"It does retard the King's plans," said Wisdom. "And therefore it behooves us all to do everything we can to find the right answers, and as quickly as possible. Don't misunderstand me - the answers are plain for everyone to see, but it requires us to look in the right place for them."
"Perhaps if I was able to talk to each of the twins one at a time..." began Seth.
"Yes, that might be helpful," said Maturity. "But remember that their beliefs are obviously polarized. As you yourself so wisely pointed out, both cannot be right. You can listen to their ideas, but then you need some ultimate authority."
"The King's Handbook!" exclaimed Seth.
"Definitely, but remember that all four of the twins have probably been reading The King's Handbook for a long time, and they are still far apart. By all means, study the Handbook, and listen to all those around you, but remember that before you end your study and form your own opinion, you need to consult the King directly."
"Directly? Me, talk to the King?"
"Certainly. When we say this is a different country, it is very different, indeed."
Seth was able to smile easily, now. "Good!" said Wisdom. "I see you're feeling better. Just keep your patience and objectivity, and everything will be just fine."
"Thank you. Your explanation was not what I expected, but it really helped."
"Fine. And now we must part company for awhile. Keep up the good work, and remember that I and others are around to help when you need us. Goodbye for now."
And with that, Wisdom entered the woods and disappeared from their sight.
"Well, we had best be getting on our way, too," said Maturity, and he turned to walk down the road.
"Just a moment," objected Seth. "I still don't know everything I should, but I do know that the King's City is not that direction. That's the way we came."
"That's true, but we're not going to the King's City quite yet. They won't be ready for us for awhile, and you have some work to do, first."
"Work? What work?"
"You must take your turn as bridge keeper at the chasm. The King is hoping for more travelers, and some of them are going to need a lot of help.”
***
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