48. Ted observed Uncle AR with a look of fascination

Ted observed Uncle AR with a look of fascination, almost disbelief. How does he know all this? Ted wondered. He recalled asking Aunt Rebecca philosophical questions before, questions deliberately crafted to avoid offending her faith or understanding. She had only smiled and said, “Some mysteries are not for you to know. What would you do, anyway, with the knowledge of creation?”

Ted had pondered over those words for days. True, he thought, what would I do with such knowledge? Would it change anything? Or would it only burden me further?

Uncle AR seemed to sense Ted’s inner conflict. He smiled gently, his eyes radiating both warmth and wisdom. “Ted, your attitude is written all over you—in your body language, your facial expressions. Even without saying a word, the energy you carry attracts forces to you. The sinister forces around us are no strangers to this—they can see when you’re vulnerable, uncertain, or lost. And when you’re not grounded, they pounce. You become easy prey.”

Ted listened intently, his heart pounding slightly.

Uncle AR continued, his gaze drifting toward the desert horizon, where the setting sun painted the sand in hues of gold and amber. “The tragedy is that when you fall prey to these whispers of evil, you don’t just lose a fleeting moment—you lose your principles. You lose your faith. And sometimes, the damage is so profound, so irreparable, that no amount of effort can undo it.”

Ted sat in silence, absorbing the weight of his uncle’s words. It felt as though Uncle AR was speaking directly to a hidden part of him, a part Ted didn’t even know existed.

“Your Gramps,” Uncle AR said after a pause, “spent much of his prime under the influence of such whispers. He strayed, submitting to the will of forces that led him astray, and it cost him dearly. That’s why you must not dwell too much on what you cannot control, or on knowledge that is not meant for you—not yet. There are pieces of wisdom that directly affect our lives, that shape us, that guide us. Seek those first.”

As Uncle AR spoke, Ted found himself marveling at the man before him. How could someone so calm, so quiet, carry such profound depth? How could someone who looked so unassuming radiate wisdom that seemed to pierce straight through to the core of a person?

Ted’s thoughts raced. How does he know what I’m feeling? How does he read my mind?

Uncle AR turned back to Ted and, as if hearing his thoughts, said softly, “Ted, wisdom is not about power or special abilities. It’s about clarity—clarity that comes from reflection, humility, and faith. When you quiet the noise within yourself, you begin to see things as they truly are. And when you see clearly, the answers come. Not all at once, but they come.”

For a moment, Ted felt as though the world had stopped spinning. The questions swirling in his mind seemed to settle, leaving a quiet stillness. Uncle AR’s words weren’t just a lesson—they were a gift, one Ted would carry with him for a lifetime.