Table of Contents
Contents
Chapter One The Steps of the Cathedral....................1
Chapter Two The Merchant of Venice....................9
Chapter Three The Monk and the Merchant....................21
Chapter Four The First Meeting....................37
Chapter Five The Second Meeting....................51
Chapter Six The Third Meeting....................71
Chapter Seven The Fourth Meeting....................89
Chapter Eight The Fifth Meeting....................107
Chapter Nine The Sixth Meeting....................121
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THE LEGEND OF THE MONK and the MERCHANT
PRINCIPLES for SUCCESSFUL LIVING
By TERRY FELBER Thomas Nelson
Copyright © 2007 Terry Felber
All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-5291-2080-9
Chapter One
The Steps of the Cathedral
Antonio strained to control the horse as they turned the corner and headed west in the direction of Rome. He glanced over his shoulder to see his grandson, Julio, asleep on a pile of straw in the small rear compartment of the cart. Even though it was the best horse and cart money could buy, they had been traveling for more than two days now, and Julio was beginning to feel it. Truthfully, they were both beginning to feel it. But Antonio didn't mind. He knew that the next few hours would change his grandson forever.
Antonio was nearly 55, but appeared no older than 45. He was 5'8", with long, gray hair and a neatly combed beard that fell cleanly in a sharp angle under his chin. The many days spent on the water and under the sun had tanned his face and highlighted his pale blue eyes. It was clear that Antonio was a man of wealth. His beautifully carved wagon seemed almost out of place in the rural countryside. He wore a cloak that was made from fine wool and lined with red silk imported from China. Around his neck hung a gold cross, and he wore an ornate hat that bore the markings of a distinguished lord. Antonio pulled his cloak over his face as a morning breeze swept across the countryside. The smell of spring flowers filled the air, he breathed deeply. A smile crossed his face as he thought of Julio, fast asleep behind him.
A sudden bump in the road, no doubt the result of the persistent spring rains, jolted Julio to his knees. Another hole sent him face-forward in the hay with a dull thud. "We're almost there, Julio," Antonio shouted back, ignoring the jostling and bumping behind him. A moment later, he felt a hand on his back as young Julio lumbered over the seat and took his place next to his grandfather. "How much farther?" Julio asked as he attempted to regain his balance.
Antonio pulled the reins to avoid a peasant struggling with a load of wood. "It's just around that next corner." The woman quickly shuffled across the road as the cart passed by. Small buildings and better roads were now appearing on both sides of them, and Julio knew that these were the signs of city life. The scattered structures were soon replaced by larger buildings and ancient ruins. The glory of Rome slowly appeared in front of Julio's eyes. He scanned both sides of the street, looking for the great cathedral.
"Grandfather, how will I know which one it is?" Julio asked.
"Don't worry. You'll know."
The first signs were the massive pillars surrounding a grand plaza. Julio's mouth dropped open, and Antonio turned and smiled. The pillars appeared at least fifty feet high with colonnades towering above them. The white stone sparkled in the morning sun. As they drew closer, Julio could see the ornate stone carvings that adorned the huge structures.
"Welcome to St. Peter's," Antonio said as he pulled back tightly on the reins.
Julio lurched forward as the horse came to a stop, but he never said a word. His eyes were glued to the colonnades in front of him. As they approached the pillars and arches surrounding a great plaza, two Vatican guards recognized Antonio. Although people were not being allowed onto the plaza, the men gestured Antonio and Julio to pass into the main area leading to the cathedral. Julio gazed up at the great dome that formed the centerpiece to St. Peter's. He had never seen anything like it. His heart began to race. How was this ever built? he thought to himself.
As they walked through the front entry and into the main building, Julio couldn't keep himself from looking up. They were the only visitors allowed into the church today. Julio suddenly tugged at Antonio's sleeve and pointed to a wood scaffolding that rose upwards toward a massive dome over a hundred feet high in the center of the main hallway. Lying across a crude board was a man staring directly ahead. The man on the board was frozen still, and for a moment Julio was sure he was asleep. "What's that man doing up there?" Julio asked.
"That's the master," whispered Antonio.
"Who?" Julio replied.
"Michelangelo."
Almost as quickly as he said the name, the man on the scaffold leaned over and waved slowly at the two visitors. In awe, Julio returned the greeting.
Julio was eighteen years old and taller than his grandfather. His deep blue eyes darted back and forth across the massive cathedral. He could hardly take in all the beauty of the place. They kept walking ... and looking. Julio noticed several beautifully carved statues and immediately recognized them as Bible heroes. The cathedral was eerily silent as they moved across the floor. The sound of Julio's sandals slapping on the stone seemed to echo in every direction. Julio remembered how he had resisted when his mother had told him to wear the long cloak for this trip. Now, he felt suddenly appropriate in his gray coat. He seemed like a monk from one of the nearby monasteries.
Antonio was now moving quickly ahead of him, and Julio sped up his stride to catch him. They moved toward the front of the church. Directly before them now was the main altar, surrounded by huge golden pillars that spiraled upward. The entire front of the cathedral seemed to be laced in gold. The colors of the mosaics and the stained glass bounced off the white marble floor and reflected in rainbow prisms across the massive room. Julio found himself lost in the beauty of the cathedral, and for a moment he found himself lost in time.
Suddenly, Julio heard the sound of people in the distance. A young monk had approached Antonio and was talking and pointing toward a hallway to the left. Antonio told his grandson that since the main church was still being painted and was not open to the public yet, a temporary chapel was being used for the morning mass. People were being allowed to enter the side chapel through an entrance on the east side of the building. The young monk led the way into another room, still larger than any church Julio had ever been in, and pointed them toward a stone bench in the back of the already-packed room. As the priests walked by, slowly waving their censors in worship, Julio couldn't help but stare as the smoke curled up towards God and the cavernous domes above them. His grandfather had told him so much about the cathedral, but now he was actually seeing it for himself. It was even more magnificent than he'd imagined. This trip to Rome had been shrouded in mystery from the beginning, and now Julio was beginning to wonder what else he would discover.
Nearly an hour had passed since the end of the mass. Neither one of them had said anything for a long time. They simply sat near the back of the chapel, gazing at the ornate walls and the endless arches and the beautiful stained glass. How did all this ever come to be? he thought to himself again. How could anyone ever afford to build such a grand cathedral? It was all too incredible to take in. Then, in silence and almost in unison, they stood and began to walk back toward the grand entrance and into the brilliance of the Vatican sun.
His grandfather had told him earlier that he had a special story to tell him and a great secret to reveal. And even though Julio had prodded and begged, he was told that he'd only hear it after they had worshiped at St. Peter's. Antonio slowed in front of the cathedral, still in the shade of the massive arches and pillars near the entrance. Julio nearly leapt toward his grandfather, now seated on a marble step, and settled himself onto the stone just a few feet away.
"Is it time, Grandfather?"
"Yes, Julio, it's time."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from THE LEGEND OF THE MONK and the MERCHANT by TERRY FELBER Copyright © 2007 by Terry Felber. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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