What You Should Have Learned on Earth , livre ebook

Xlibris US - Martin S. Finkelstein

Découvre YouScribe en t'inscrivant gratuitement

Je m'inscris

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

95 pages

English

Vous pourrez modifier la taille du texte de cet ouvrage

Obtenez un accès à la bibliothèque pour le consulter en ligne
En savoir plus

A propos
Informations
Extrait

Description

Imbedded in this fantasy novel about death and life are many important life lessons for successful and satisfying living. The novel begins after the demise of Caleb Peterson. While alive, Caleb had been a staunch white supremacist. After his passing, his tortured soul undertakes an odyssey to learn what the living Caleb should have learned on Earth. His soul seeks atonement and forgiveness for Caleb’s prior violent behavior. In a series of adventures, his soul grows in understanding, tolerance, and respect for other souls. Caleb recognizes how powerful social pressure had been on molding his prior antisocial behavior, and how bigotry and discrimination damaged his soul. Eventually, Caleb’s soul teams up with the soul of a young black woman (Phyllis Tompkins) and they learn how to influence the behavior of living beings. In a number of Earthly excursions, the two souls encounter an assortment of individuals struggling with their consciences. They succeed in helping Phyllis’s younger brother and sister escape the toxic environmental pressures of Harlem by sharing with them critical keys to success. The book speaks to a kinder, gentler, more inclusive, and more compassionate life.

Sujets

Fiction

Informations

Publié par	Xlibris US
Date de parution	16 octobre 2022
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781669849063
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0200€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE LEARNED ON EARTH

(a novel)

MARTIN S. FINKELSTEIN

Copyright © 2022 by Martin S. Finkelstein.

Library of Congress Control Number:
2022917967
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-6698-4908-7
Softcover
978-1-6698-4907-0
eBook
978-1-6698-4906-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 10/14/2022

Xlibris
844-714-8691
www.Xlibris.com
846207

to the victims of bigotry and discrimination

CONTENTS
PART I
THE AWAKENING
Chapter 1 The New Arrival
Chapter 2 The R 256 Community
Chapter 3 The Wilderness
Chapter 4 The Committee
Chapter 5 The G 477 Community
Chapter 6 The Unrestricted Plane
Chapter 7 The Reality
PART II
THE MISSION
Chapter 8 The Plan
Chapter 9 The Visit
Chapter 10 The Big Push
Chapter 11 The Siblings
Chapter 12 The Influence
Chapter 13 The Fulfillment

PART I
THE AWAKENING

CHAPTER 1
THE NEW ARRIVAL
T he sleek modern transporter arrived at the docking station. Its seventy-two apprehensive passengers huddled closer together for their imminent disembarkation as they assembled at the funnel-shaped exit ramp. Most passengers appeared weary and frightened as they patiently waited to exit. But among them was an imposing, tall, fit, middle-aged man who had carefully sidestepped and twisted his way forward while stretching his arms straight over his head, trying not to touch anyone. Other passengers moved aside to let him pass after recognizing his intent to avoid physical contact with them. The impatient man had maneuvered his way to be the first in line to exit and be liberated from his confinement, which he considered vulgar and oppressive. His behavior marked him as someone who felt surrounded by filth and dangerous pathogens. He was certain he would be soiled or contaminated by any contact with other passengers or objects he touched. Yet with all his maneuvering, this man never once expressed an “Excuse me!” “Please!” or “Thank you!” as he squirmed his way forward. Instead, Caleb Peterson thought to himself, “Sheep—they are all filthy sheep! Baa, baa.” Throughout his life, Caleb had successfully avoided close contact with people like his present fellow travelers. He disliked them intensely and hated his confinement with them aboard the transporter. Now he was crammed in beside them. He was convinced these other passengers were all diseased and unwashed inferior humans, corralling themselves meekly and submissively while following the shepherd’s orders to their slaughter. To Caleb, they had a foul appearance and body odor besides speaking many strange languages he could not even identify. When the exit opened, Caleb was first and quick to walk to the two smiling, uniformed officers (one male and one female) greeting the immigrants as they stepped out and checked Caleb’s name on a handheld electrical pad.
Caleb Peterson immediately focused his sight on a specific location in the large reception room he had entered. He seized this defensive vantage position with his back to a wall from which he could scrutinize the passengers as they hesitantly exited the transporter. He felt safe in his strategic location where he could maintain his isolation yet easily observe everything happening in the hall. Caleb was mildly overweight, with hardened handsome facial features. His one-week-old trimmed graying beard was intended to show his independence and disregard for traditional conventions. His steel-blue eyes now intently studied the new arrivals as they entered the hall and sat on comfortable chairs. Caleb felt aloof, trying to keep as much distance between him and the others as possible, hoping to project an image of power. This posture discouraged social engagement and cautioned others, “Keep your distance!” It worked; no one came near him, and he had a broad unobstructed view of the room while he inspected the mass of new arrivals with disdain. Caleb wore rustic clothes, old jeans, scuffed, sturdy working boots, and a worn grey beaked cap displaying a large emblem of crossed carbine rifles positioned over a faded American flag embossed on its front. Under an open denim jacket, a T-shirt with a sectioned snake and the slogan “Don’t Tread on Me!” was partially visible.
The immigrants Caleb observed were a heterogeneous collection, differing noticeably by race, age, gender, grooming, attire, physique, spoken language, and the degree of anxiety, energy, and fear they manifested. None brought any belongings with them. By Caleb’s analysis, most of the other passengers were older, and many looked malnourished and chronically ill. Some immigrants clung tenaciously to each other for security or comfort as they exited; many stumbled, but most walked alone. Most in the group stared wide-eyed, taking in everything around them as they tried to absorb and comprehend their new surroundings: where and what was this strange place they were entering?
Arrivals were directed to a large, comfortable waiting area, where they would remain until called for processing. Finger food, beverages, and lounges to relax were attractive and comfortable. The waiting room had dim colored lights while soft, soothing music played. It was simply but tastefully decorated and furnished with the intent and decor to put new arrivals at ease. Nothing alarming or disturbing was allowed, and the latest arrivals settled down and tried to relax as best they could while waiting to be processed. Some newcomers seemed related, while others appeared to have made new contacts or friends, staying closer together and comforting each other. However, most immigrants were solitary in their behavior. Language, demeanor, and ability to communicate with one another appeared to decide how they interacted. Most remained bewildered and somewhat confused while they sat and waited, staring intently at one of several sizable informational screen monitors placed around the area.
From his standing perch, Caleb analyzed the crowd and speculated on who these others were, where they probably came from, what kinds of work they did, and how they might have known one another. “What a sordid collection of people this is,” thought Caleb, “shabby weaklings, a lot of foreigners, liberals, or some other type of undesirable. They look like a bunch of sick, dumb animals. I hope I won’t have to spend any more time with these misfits than I already have or absolutely must endure.” These musings became an absorbing way for Caleb to spend his time waiting for interrogation.
Large screens flashed the names of newcomers summoned for questioning while their names blared aloud from hidden speakers. The monitors informed which small alcove was ready to receive the identified individual. The name Caleb Peterson suddenly was heard throughout the waiting area, and his name flashed on an overhead screen calling him to alcove 6 for the intake interview. Caleb stood up and sauntered confidently over to the appropriate alcove. A uniformed, smiling, well-groomed young man, wearing a badge identifying him as Frank, sat at a desk, invited him to sit down, and then extended his hand for an introductory friendly handshake. “Welcome, Mr. Peterson, on being invited to come here. I have your name highlighted on my screen as someone I would be interviewing. You must have impressed someone important who recommended you highly. Should I refer to you as Caleb or Mr. Peterson? Which would you prefer?”
“My friends call me Cal,” answered Caleb. “You can call me the same.”
“OK, Cal, let’s get started. I need to know much more about you to refer you to the appropriate location. I want to know what kinds of work you did, what languages you speak fluently, where you have lived, what kinds of foods you like, what sports and activities you enjoy, what kinds of friends you have, and what sexual interests you feel. I want to know all about your family. I want to know what climates and living environments you prefer: location, architecture, surroundings. I want to know the things you like and those you don’t. I want to refer you to a place where you would enjoy the community to its fullest. All of us here want you to fit in and assimilate easily. We want you to be happy. We have myriads of planes or locations where people exist from which to choose. Each plane has numerous communities. There are places here for everyone, and we try very hard to match you to the plane and community we believe you deserve and would enjoy the most. You should live in an area that best meets your expectations, needs, and desires. I want to know as much as possible about your life, education, and past life-changing events.”
The two of them sat and talked for over two hours