22  The Lords permit us three wives for a reason. There are far more women than men!  And widows and women who have lost their mates in other ways need a means of support and help.  This is what The Lords have provided.
    23  As for giving a guest comfort, we know our women have needs as well as our men.  I cannot know all my wives every night!  For a guest to give her comfort and joy is not an indecent thing.
    24  Jealousy, my son, is one of the worst emotions. You see, the men of The One do not love their wives, but They are jealous of them.  They think nothing of going to a house of pleasure and leaving their wives without comfort, but if they found their wives with another man, they'd stone them to death.  Do you understand, my son?"
    25  "I think so, father," the boy answered.  "I think I will have something to say to my friend if he calls my mother a whore again!"
    26  Everyone laughed. "I must be off!"  announced Gray Deer.
    27  "I, also," added The Voice, "you are learning, young man," he said, patting Little Deer on the head.  "But remember, also, not to make fun of those less fortunate than yourself.  Some may lack wisdom in some ways, but be far wiser than others!"
    28  The boy looked embarrassed.  "What does he mean?" Gray Deer asked, as he put on his cloak.
    29  "There is a boy at school, father," Little Deer explained.  "He's not too bright.  We tease him sometimes.  We mean no harm."
    30  "Perhaps not," explained The Voice, "but because of what you do, he is beginning to hate those smarter than himself, and does he not have legitimate complaint he can hold against you?"
    31  "We will discuss this later," instructed Gray Deer.  "In the meantime I want you to apologize to this young man TODAY!  Invite him for supper, if he will accept your hospitality."
    32  "Yes, father," the boy answered.
    33  "Tonight," announced The Voice, "we will begin your lessons.  Within six months you will be a Speaker."
    34  "I have faith in what you say," Gray Deer answered. "I just do not understand how."
    35  "By hard work!"  answered The Voice, "A lot of hard work!"
    36  That evening after supper they sat down to work, and Gray Deer looked at his new friend.  "Lord," he asked, "what is your real name?  Where do you come from?"
    37  "My name," answered The Voice, "is unimportant, it is my mission that matters. Therefore, I shall always be called The Voice of The Lords.  For it is not I that speaks, but Them who speak through me.
    38  As to where I come from, less than a year ago I was a shepherd in the village to the north.  A bound servant under five year's contract to a good family.  I had worked three years of my contract, when one night, as I sat by my fire watching my charges, a stranger approached and sat down opposite me.
    39  "Greetings, Traveler," I cried, "If you are hungry, the stew is warm, there is fresh-made bread in the pan, and  hot broth on the fire.  Take a dish and fill yourself."
    40  "Of your food I need not," The Stranger replied, "but of your gracious company I am longing.  May I pass the time with you, while you watch your charges?"
    41  "As you will," I said, "I, too, am hungry for company and news.  What happens in the world?"
    42  "Much that is not good," answered The Stranger.  He told me the news of many a far city, and the cry of the people for The Lords to send a messenger."
    43  "I am one with The Lords," I told him.  "Long have I spent a quiet evening reading Their Wisdom.  Now I wish, also, They would send a messenger.  The people's cries are many.  Surely there must be someone in the land that could speak for The Beloved.  There must be at least one Voice!"
     44  "There is," The Stranger told me, "if he would speak.  But it would mean hardship on his part. It would mean that some men would call him a fool and others would seek his life.
    45  But there IS such a man, and one HAS been sent to speak with him, to see if he would do The Lords Will even though it would mean that his days among his people would be short.
    46  But what he would give them would last them for all time.  For he would give Them back to The Lords."
    47  "If I were that man," I told The Stranger, "I would accept.  Better to be a light that burns bright and true, and illuminates The Darkness, even for a short time, than to burn dimly forever, and not even light  your own path!"
    48  As I spoke there was a sudden gust of wind, and the dry leaves were picked up from the ground and blown toward The Stranger.  But instead of striking him, they passed right through him!  It was then that I

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