Desta and Tsadok Correspondence in D5

DESTA:

Dear Honorable Tsadok, High Priest of the Ark,

I apologize that you have not had tidings from me lately. Here are the things I’ve seen and done since my last message to you.

Near the end of November, I celebrated a Thanksgiving holiday—a family and food affair—where the main course was a large bird they call a turkey, the size of three chickens. The meat was delectable. The people, mainly family, were genial and accepting of me. I had a rather pleasant time at this dinner.

After the holiday, I focused on my studies and my science projects, which concluded with my final exams on Monday this week.

We arrived three days ago at the Johnsons’ vacation home in northeastern America, in the state of Vermont. The area is mountainous, just like my birthplace, and being winter, it’s covered with snow. We are here to relax for a week. Today we children slid on boards in the snow, and compacted it into balls that we threw at each other in a mock fight.

I still need to begin searching for the second coin. I plan to do so during my long summer break.

Please send a reassuring message somehow to my family about my situation so they will know that all is okay with me.

By the way, have you seen or heard from Eleni?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours, Desta Abraham Beshaw.

TSADOK:

Dear Desta,

I’m pleased to hear you have continued to adapt and do well in America. Because of your challenging upbringing here, I worried that it might be hard for you to open up to strangers. It appears my worries were for nothing.

You wondered whether I know what’s going on with you from where I am. Yes, sometimes I get clear messages; other times, it’s vague and chaotic, so I had to wait until I heard from you to learn how you are.

Regarding your search for that coin, do it when time allows. For now, focus on securing your future studies and living situation. Watch for signs from your shekel and the magic wand when to start looking for the missing coin.

No, I’ve not heard from or seen Eleni for some time. It appears that she and her faction’s interest in you was only for your coin. Now that you and your shekel are out of reach, she disappeared.

Let me hear from you again when you can.

The best to you in all your endeavors.

Yours,

Tsadok.

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TSADOK (Reply to message from Desta re: the Johnsons’ adoption offer):

You should consider anything that feels right to your heart and can help advance your mission, but first consult the coin.

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TSADOK (Reply to unstated message from Desta re: his summer job offer):

“Don’t question things that come up unexpectedly. There might be a reason why. The money you earn is more important than the coin right now. And it may have something to do with your mission.”

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DESTA:

To the Honorable Tsadok, High Priest of the Ark,

I’m in a situation where I cannot determine what to do.

The late owner of a home where I’ve been working for the last several weeks left a chest full of coins, some that go back thousands of years. I met his spirit yesterday, and it permitted me to go through them in search of the Coin of Magic and Fortune. This morning, I accessed the collection, but I resisted touching the coins. I don’t know why, and I was hoping you could explain.

TSADOK:

My Dear Desta,

Your reluctance to touch the coins in that man’s treasure chest stems partly from your heart’s fear of disappointment if you do not find the second shekel. Also, there is a coin in the collection that’s antagonistic to your own, which makes you reluctant to handle any of them. You must neutralize this negative property by passing the magic wand over the treasure.

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DESTA:

Dear Honorable Tsadok, High Priest of the Ark:

I want to thank you beyond words for your wise counsel all my life, and especially this past year, from so far away. I couldn’t have coped without your guidance and foresight.

Tomorrow, I go to Princeton University to start my sophomore year. My first year in America has been more than I ever expected. I’m grateful for how things turned out.

The Johnsons have been wonderful hosts. Along with their household staff, they provided me with the comfort and security I needed to do well in school and sports. I’m so thankful for their kindness, and for adopting me. Their dog, Kooper, has been my loyal companion, playing in the backyard just like Kooli and I once did in my childhood–such precious memories.

Everyone at school was kind to me. I leave Lincoln College with happy and lasting memories of my year there. My first serious attempt to find the coin was frustrating and disappointing, but I’ve met people who gave me clues that the second shekel has come to America. I plan to search for it in earnest in the next few years.

I’ll send you word once I settle in at the new school.

Many thanks.

Yours, Desta Abraham