The Return Of All That Is Good

By John Ernest Monse

Mr. Banta Algthrop and his friend Phlewellen, two Oglanders, grew up in a universe different from ours on a planet named Oglantia. Oglanders are a people we know here on earth as Tardigrades or Water Bears - small creatures who live in dewdrops and have been found by scientist to be considerably resilient. When they venture outside their dewdrop environment, they reach heights of fourteen to twenty feet. Like our people, they struggled through the ages for spiritual growth. After they attained fulfillment, they traveled throughout the stars of their universe upon a great ship named Homeward Bound Always seeking ever greater knowledge, maturity, and wisdom. Suddenly, in a burst of great light, the Spirit of Creation pulled the Oglanders and their great ship into our universe. They traveled through the stars until they reached our small planet. Their purpose here was to maintain the earth and its primary inhabitants, the creatures who were the embryos of the Spirit. The Return Of All That Is Good tells a tale that begins with a small girl, Annabelle, who is running for her life from a great tiger with long fangs. Annabelle scampers up an ancient tree hoping to escape certain death. At the instant she feared she may be lost, the Spirit rises from a dewdrop and engulfs the three characters in a great tornadic, spiritual event that separates them from all the world so that Annabelle, the great beast of the forest, and the ancient tree were surrounded by an impenetrable wall of wind. Within the protection of the Spirit, the three characters instantly become friends who can clearly communicate with each other. Banta suddenly stands amid the confused group and is immediately recognized by the great beast and the ancient tree. Under the influence of the Spirit, they remembered previous times when Banta influenced their lives. The story continues with Banta returning Annabelle to her parents and altering the spirits within the beast and the ancient tree so that they would always be friends on an unconscious level. The purpose instilled within them was to protect Annabelle throughout her life, so she could fulfill the purpose of the Spirit. Banta wields spiritual power throughout the times of the earth. We are given glimpses of how Water Bears work among human beings with stories like Annabelle's, the Bensond family during the period that America is being settled, and the later story of the children who struggle on this world just prior to the return of the Great King. The story threads many events from around the world that occur just prior to the King's return. I have come to believe that during the end times, there is no great, powerful nation on the other side of the world that protects Israel from its enemies who use its country as a staging area for all the lust of war that engulfs them. So, I build a potential scenario for why that is. We are bombarded with evidence that alien ships and their occupants fly above us, walk among us, and even die on the surface of our planet. For me, there is a most obvious answer as to why. The book ties together the great powers of earth in a time prior to our King's return. The armies march from far distances to meet at a place prophesied long ago. They cannot help themselves but struggle with all their might to meet their goal of world dominance. But in the end, the Good King steps upon the earth and meets His good friends, the Water Bears who have served Him from the beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Jan 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781977209306

John Ernest Monse

John Ernest Monse grew up in Davenport Center, NY. He had numerous poems entered in his high school's Cóllage publication and one poem published in college. Marriage and three children followed. Completing this book after years of pecking away whenever he could find the time, is one of his most rewarding accomplishments.

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The Return Of All That Is Good

All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2019 John Ernest Monse

v2.0

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.

This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Dedication

I wrote this book for my children

That someday when the world might seem so dark

They can read the words herein

And find peace in the knowledge

That God is greater

Than anything they might face

And that He will come and be with us

Embracing us into His Glory.

Acknowledgments

I am now finished writing this book. Before I release these pages to travel into the world, I wish to thank my Lynne, my wife, who stayed with me during the twenty-five years of my madness. Every time inspiration stirred my soul, she would lose me, first to my typewriter during the early years, and later to my PC. Sometimes she lost me for days or weeks at a time. No matter what, when she finally read my latest writing she would exclaim, It’s great! It’s wonderful! If I had listened to her, this book would have been completed long ago. I love her with all my heart and thank her for patiently enduring my inability to finish this work.

I also would like to acknowledge my children. They heard about this book all their lives, but never saw a book. Even now, I don’t believe they believe I have finished. I wrote this for them, but now my grandchildren are old enough to read it. I thank my children for not disowning me because I am so slow. I love all three of you.

Table of Contents

Introduction

A Time during a Previous Age

A Time When All Tears Are Dry

Another Universe, Another Time

The Caretakers Are Summoned

A Family of the Old West

Four Men Walking to Town

The Scene at the House

When the Void Was Filled with Purpose

Change Coming for Banta and Phlewellen

We Meet the Children Defending Their Turf

Banta Algthrop Visits the Admiral

Algrapa and Flowisha Leave with Salfor

Renewal Begins

The Preacher Witnessing to the World

A Glimpse at the Coming of the War

The Oglanders Arrive

They Watch and Talk in the East

Good Times in Darkness

Soldiers at Bekáa Valley

Banta Begins His Journey

The Children Talk to Their Father

Banta and Phlewellen on the Surface

Banta and Phlewellen Meet the Children

Warriors from Everywhere Converge

The Children Want to See Their Father

The Puzzle Pieces Together

The Powers of the World React

The Final War of the Age

The Spirit Places His Foot upon the Earth

Postlude

List of Names

Introduction

Too few times in our lives, my wife and I sat at night on our well-worn living room couch or lay on our old bed reading a story to our three children just before they fell asleep. We learned from those nights that reading time is no easy chore for a parent. Children constantly stop the reader at least once every minute and ask as many questions as the parent will allow. It seemed to us they were not as interested in the story read to them as they were fascinated to hear from the reader. However, the story inspires questions. Spending time with children in this profoundly mystical way is probably the most powerful force the world has ever known. It gives a parent the chance to mold a child with clay that will withstand the challenges of life and provide them with a hope that will last past the grave.

A series of events occurred in my life that inspired the writing of this story I have now put to paper (well, after twenty-five years of writing, it is now put to bits of data).

The main event included those evenings spent reading stories to a captive audience. My children grew older and they began to understand that their father loved to write poetry, letters, and the occasional short story. They began asking if I could write a story of my own to read to them. Therefore, I began thinking about it. I am a very slow thinker because that experience occurred over twenty-five years ago, and my children no longer believe I will ever finish writing this book. My ponderings as to what I should write brought me to the conclusion that I wanted to write a story entertaining to young minds, but also filled with the little bit of wisdom and knowledge I felt I had learned along the path of life.

Our children grew older and the world provided considerable competition for our nightly reading. The greatest challenge to reading became the videocassette recorder (VCR). With this wonder of technology, each of my children fell in love with various heroes that sometimes greatly influenced their lives. Watching their heroes on television made them real. The challenge for my wife and I became one of determining who the good heroes were and attempting to limit the influence of the not-so-good heroes.

And so, our children had begun a small spark within me to write a story that would introduce a hero worthy of their admiration and great enough to serve the greatest hero of all: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For decades, I wrote this book, but not with the hero who would finally work side by side with the Spirit of God to teach my children as well as entertain them. When this book is completed, it will probably be too late to interest my children, but it may capture my grandchildren. So who would be a hero worthy of the task? Where could I find a hero who could be strong and realistic enough to follow children’s imaginations into their adulthood with stories that could inspire a relationship with God?

Then one evening I was watching Netflix on our television and enjoying the show COSMOS: A Spacetime Odyssey hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, created by the National Geographic Channel. I loved that whole series and watched every episode available. In the show, titled Who Speaks for Earth? Mr. Tyson introduced us to the indestructible tardigrade, or Water Bear, and I knew immediately that I had found my hero. I began doing research on this amazing small creature and even found that some people questioned if tardigrades originated in this world. They are amazing, hardy little creatures baffling scientists with their ability to overcome everything thrown at them. They are the supermen of the dewdrop world.

As I continued planning the writing of this book, I began taking a closer look at some of the other stories we read, hear, and see from around the world. So many stories today depict the future with very little hope that anything good will ever happen. The media prophecies events that occur in the future such as war, destruction, and the world turning into a very dark place. They are probably correct for the short term, but reading these accounts of the future instills in me the feeling that we only hold within us the ability to pass on to the future the same aggressive nature we possess in the present. Our imaginations do not provide much hope that the world will ever be a better place for most people or that happiness will prevail in our lives. We can hear the word Utopia, but most people just shrug it off because they cannot imagine what it might be like in a perfect world. Utopia is probably a bad word to use because it conjures up thoughts of an unreal future, people drifting along on clouds or walking through fields of flowers for eternity. The real future is one of extreme life eternal, hard work, galaxy-level building, growing to care for the universe, and living, living, living.

I hope this is a story a small bit different from many other stories because its writer believes that the future holds wonders for us that we cannot imagine at this time. Those wonders will someday find us traveling throughout a universe of light, not darkness. Our lives will be overwhelmed with fulfillment every day for eternity as we work in our destined roles as caretakers of creation. Unlimited happiness will fill our souls when the day arrives for our transformation into beings at one with the creation and the Creator.

I believe most people have beliefs that point them to an age when a greater power than ourselves will unite with us. That Greater Power ultimately provides us a life that will wash away the yearning within us that makes us believe there must be so much more to life than our current short experience has let us know.

I have arrived at a point in my life when it seems so useless to try to place a face on that Greater Power. Every time I have done so, a greater wisdom shows me the inadequacy of the former face I had created within myself for it always takes on the form of a human being with all the weaknesses of human beings. The spiritual realm, though fascinating, is one we should determine for ourselves that it exists, but then move on with our physical lives because we do not possess the ability to unite with that place. But that time is coming. Watching the signs of the times and the events of nature, we are overwhelmed with the feeling that our hope is moving ever closer to us, no matter how dark the world around may appear.

If my children, or grandchildren, or anybody else ever read this book, remember this is only a story. It contains no attempt to teach spiritual truth. Read your Bible for spiritual truth. Let your Bible be the foundation of all your knowledge. Then look to the stars and look all around you. No matter what anybody tells you, all things were created through Christ and for Christ. It all belongs to Him and it is all wondrously awesome.

I hope this story, inspired by my children and their heroes, and the Great Spirit working every day to rescue us from this current dark age, might instill within you an awe of the wondrous possibilities awaiting us in the future.

And yes, you will be there!

A Time during a Previous Age

Long ago, when time had first begun in the void of this universe, when the elements of life burst from the Spirit, He summoned them to our birthplace. From another universe, they came to serve. What we see now as tiny creatures living within drops of dew are actually mighty servants of the Most High. We perceive them as small animals that remind us of the form of bears that dance, play, and eat in a world our naked eyes cannot see. Though they are microscopic, science is learning they are incredibly tough. They are also much more than we ever imagined.

The small, young girl sat nestled to the broad grey-trunked tree that harbored strong, sprawling branches, embracing her under a shelter of wide green leaves. Her legs curled under her body, her arms wrapped around her shoulders, and her throat quietly whimpered under the stars of a moonlit early morning sky where glistening dew lay upon the ground like diamonds accentuating the start of a new and wondrous day. Tears rolled down her strong, round cheeks as she cuddled ever more tightly to herself. Her dirty face rested on her forearms and her wide, brown eyes darted in every direction, projecting the fear emanating from her thoughts. Her mind’s imagination savagely formed the most fearsome scene of a great long-toothed tiger finding her lost and alone in this wilderness of trees that swayed back and forth under the great, angry mountain raging red in the far off distance. The densely carpeted floor of this forest lived as a blessing when one of her people stealthily approached their quarry that provided them food. The densely carpeted floor of this forest fiercely lashed at the living when one of her people was unaware of the deadly enemy that hunted them.

Her small body trembled as her tragic fantasy overcame her in a nightmarish scene of gore and blood, where the claws of the great beast suddenly slashed her skin from under the thick forest canopy to satisfy its hunger by consuming her in a single swallow through granite, hard-sharpened teeth. She could feel herself being pulled down the monster’s slimy throat and thinking one last thought before being consumed within its stomach: Mama. Mama, where are you? Mama, I want to go home!

Then, as though her imagination had suddenly sprung to life, a low, guttural snarl joined the thousands of small voices of the disappearing night. The controlled, heavy breathing of the stalking phantom carnivore grew closer, and the crackling of small, dead twigs under the methodically paced paws of the beast’s great weight conveyed to the young child that the darkest danger drew closer with every small passage of time. She held her head facing the direction of the approaching doom as her mind raced in lightning mode, evaluating every possible avenue of escape. But in the final analysis, she found no possibility of escape and realized there was no hope in climbing the ancient tree she had leaned against, but at least it would provide a moment more of life as the creature of her doom would need to climb the tall tree to reach her. So, she began to climb the thick, lofty trunk.

The large bright moon lit up the world almost as though the sun shone overhead, but not quite. She missed several good handholds and grabbed onto some small nubs where nothing could be held onto, which caused her to earn hurtful scratches and almost fall from the tree onto the ground where her doom would be swift. She steadily climbed higher until she reached the highest part of the woody stem, where she crouched low, peering over the edge of the natural cradle created by great limbs projecting from the base of the trunk.

The hushed footsteps of the small girl’s adversary approached close to her tree and then gradually slithered from beneath the thick underbrush of the dark forest. The child’s eyes slowly widened to their extreme as she looked down at the largest man-eater she had ever seen. The tiniest breath of angst barely issued from her mouth as she struggled to keep her wits about her. The hungry beast heard the almost silent exclamation of fear and jerked its head upward in her direction. A thick rumble of purring began exhaling from each breath, as its prey seemed prepared for her upon a platter made by the perennial stump. The lioness quickened her pace, circling the broad tree until her final victory lap, when she stopped and bent back onto her haunches, her legs pumping up and down, positioning themselves for the greatest thrust to spring upon her meal and tear it from its place of hiding.

In that instant before the Queen of the Forest Underbrush leaped for her tasty morsel, a small whirlwind began swirling on the ground between her and the seedling of old, as though originating from within one of those glistening drops of dew resting upon the ground. The mighty cat paused from her hunt, slanted her head to one side, and stared bewildered at the intriguing phenomenon growing steadily taller at her feet. She sat back and pawed at the rustling of dirt and leaves, as though a mouse might be the source of her annoyance, but nothing stopped the wind that came from nowhere. The spinning dervish held her attention as it grew tall and wide. She wanted to run, but her legs would not move, as though being held by a mighty arm. Her heart pounded so hard that her chest greatly pulsated as the whirlwind rolled over her, enclosing the tree, the cat, and the girl in a broad cyclonic circle that stretched over the top of the tree. The roaring wind rocked the air as though a steady stream of thunder filled the atmosphere, engulfing the threesome—the faithful tree, the powerful feline, and the small girl lost and alone.

The three began to sense an intense, tingling sensation crawling along their skin, fur, and bark. They felt changed. Everything changed. The whole of the fabric of creation that existed within the spinning walls of the wind that had risen from the dewdrop began a transformation into something that did not belong in this time or space.

The old tree that had lived and struggled thousands of years now appeared to allay all its concern. Its cracked and torn bark grew softer and began to heal. Its limbs relaxed and filled with a new vitality that surged life-giving sap into its green leaves and burst new sprouts from every minuscule crevice.

Lush, soft, green grass spurted forth from the ground and gently rolled across Mother Earth caressing the ancient seedling that had stood alone for so long. The living carpet thrusting its way from the earth also unfolded under the old sprout’s friend, who sat upon her roots with hair and tail and the teeth for killing.

The Great Queen of the Forest Underbrush sat with her large face intently gazing at the expanding funnel. Her feline eyes looked upward, slowly moving her head and body, attempting to comprehend the moving force engulfing her, surrounding her, holding her still. The roaring, spinning air should have caused her great fear and intense anxiety, but she simply sat, as though waiting, and purred, not as before a meal made of another life, but for the joy that filled her completely. Inexplicable goodness restored her body and made her feel full and ready to run forever. What was this strange thing?. she wondered.

Little Annabelle stood tall upon her scraped knees. She no longer felt the need to hide beneath the rim of the tree hollow. As the cute little whirlybird began its conquering sweep, which overcame the three companions and their small piece of earth, she had sucked in a gallon of air and held it in her puffed-up lungs as her face took on a wide-eyed and fearful stance. Suddenly, the sweeping air ended its growth and stood as an impenetrable wall between the earthly companions and a world of madness.

Annabelle stood on her knees and bent over the edge of her hiding place. She spoke down to the sitting, watchful cat upon the ground in a loud whisper, Hey, Felidae, what do you make of this? What do you think is going on?

The small girl suddenly straightened herself and stopped talking. Was she talking to the beast? What good is that going to do? What was that strange feeling in her gut? Had she just given up her last hope of survival?

Well, Annabelle, Felidae replied in a gruff, high-pitched voice as she monitored the tornadic wall, I’m thinking we have been captured within the grasp of a Steward of the Spirit, but I’m not seeing him yet.

The great beast and the little girl stared at each other, not understanding how this could be happening, but for each of them the feeling of openness toward one another filled them with joy.

A purposeful, deep, baritone voice shook the earth around the two new friends. From directly below the tree loft, the bark parted like lips and a voice like rolling thunder responded to Felidae, I believe you are correct, Felidae. A long time ago, I experienced a similar scene as I am now seeing. At that time, a small boy was running from a frightful beast, far more frightful than you were, Felidae, with teeth lining its mouth almost a foot long and claws that could slash a mammoth in seconds. The boy came to me, but I was too young then to offer much protection. It appeared that the youngster would soon succumb to the unquenchable appetite of the raving murderer when from nowhere a moist aura covered our world as though a large drop of water encased us in a fluid barrier. Then a creature appeared like nothing I have ever seen before. He walked on eight legs that were thick like a mammoth, but with very little hair. Moreover, his body was round and strong like a bear, but he mostly walked on his hindmost legs. When he stood, he was very tall and very strong. His speech filled one with the feeling of authority you dared not defy.

Annabelle heard the words, but did not see another creature anywhere. So, she whispered, Glaubenwarden, are you this great tree we hear?

She thought to herself, Strange that I know their names. And why am I talking to the tree?

Yes, Annabelle, I am one of those who wait patiently for the Spirit to perform His work. I do not change anything about myself. I do not change my surroundings. I do not go elsewhere to seek for answers. I wait for the Spirit, and in His good time, He brings all good things to me according to His will.

Annabelle thought, Now I know why so many of my people see the trees as great spirits. Their patience and wisdom goes far beyond the lives of many generations.

She then asked, How is it we’re all able to talk to one another? This is so strange.

The three new friends remained silent for several moments as they pondered these events and tried to find answers within themselves.

Glaubenwarden ended the silence. It may be we cannot explain this, but we know we are here. We know that the Spirit hovering over us has changed us so we feel as though we are best friends. And yet, for me it does not feel so much like I have changed, the great tree hesitated as though trying to look within his soul for the answer, but it feels as though I have always been this way and some kind of shroud has prevented me from entering this place of freedom. The Spirit has lifted the shroud from me so that I can be what I was meant to be.

Your friend, the tree, is correct. You have not been changed at all, but simply had your shackles removed from your souls so you can once again gain access to your potential.

Annabelle, Felidae, and Glaubenwarden remained silent. Each wondered where that new voice had come from. They asked each other simultaneously, Who said that?

Why, I did, said a bearlike creature who had suddenly appeared in their midst and was growing larger as they watched. My name is Banta. I am here to rescue the three of you from this madness because you are each very important to the Spirit Who Moves All Things.

Banta quickly reached his full size while standing on all eight feet, but then stood up on his hind most legs.

Felidae had jumped back several feet when the large creature suddenly appeared between her and Glaubenwarden. Hey! She shouted. Where did you come from?

Young lady, I came from the dew drop that had rested at the foot of Glaubenwarden since the time she was but a seed buried in the Earth. She is a very special seedling for the Spirit has rested within her from the beginning.

Young lady! Felidae thought to herself. I have seen the great light in the sky pass over the Earth many hundreds of times. This new creature obviously does not realize that I am a mature long-toothed tiger who has seen many days and experienced a great deal of life and death.

Banta smiled as the Spirit relayed the young tiger’s thoughts to him. You are indeed a knowledgeable tiger and I am very happy to meet you.

Banta reached down to the tiger and petted her head. Felidae responded with purring, as she found the action very comforting.

So, Glaubenwarden, how is our brave little girl?

Annabelle had dropped below the rim of the tree hollow when Banta began to appear on the scene. She did not really feel afraid, but felt she should be a little cautious until she could better understand what was going on. It had been a very strange day so far and this latest development was the strangest of all.

Welcome back, Banta. It has been a very long time since I last saw you. I had forgotten you and our past experiences, but now all my memories seem to be returning.

Yes, old friend, we hid most of your memories of our past experiences because they would only make life harder for you in this world. As long as this age continues, you will need to be harsh to handle the malice around you. But when I leave, the hope will stay with you and you will know deep within yourself that there is a day coming when this world will realize the Hope of the Spirit and you will no longer need to struggle every day just to survive. For now, let us simply do as the Spirit has asked us to do.

Glaubenwarden then answered Banta’s question, The tiny girl is crouching low within my branches. I sense she does not fear what is happening, but she is very tired and very much misses her parents. Will she be OK, Banta? Will she find her way back home again?

Felidae chimed in at this point, I suppose before you arrived I wanted to eat the little girl, but now I feel only concern for her well-being. I hope the Spirit will forgive me for what I almost did. Tell us, Banta, how will the girl find her way in this world if you leave her?

Banta let the smallest smile cross his face, I will never leave her. However, at this time, our commission is to return her to her family. Felidae and I will escort her to where I know they are looking for her. You, our grand friend of this forest, will remain a true friend to Annabelle all her life. She will come to you often for comfort. Annabelle, do you hear me?

Yes, Mr. Banta, I hear you, Annabelle replied as she stood upon her feet for the first time since Banta had appeared.

"Then I will continue by saying that the three of you will not be conscious of your memories about these moments after I leave your sight. But, your soul will remember. Annabelle will seek out Glaubenwarden’s hollow and use it often as a place to find rest and a quiet spot for meditation. There will be times when Glaubenwarden will struggle to live because heat from the sun will scorch the ground. During those times, Annabelle will water your feet and return the comfort to you that she has received from you.

"And likewise, Felidae shall always protect Annabelle. After the Spirit lifts its protection from this moment, Felidae will return to her position as a mighty queen of the forest and a mighty hunter. You will bring into this world many cub litters and will feed them very well. Nevertheless, you will always maintain your bond with Annabelle and your friend Glaubenwarden. There will be times when you will protect and rescue Annabelle from others who will seek to harm her. Annabelle will feed you when the time comes that you cannot find food. And when you need rest, you will climb into the hollow of Glaubenwarden, not knowing why, but finding peace when no peace can be found anywhere else.

The three of you are bound forever from this day forth. In reality, the three of you were always bound, but from this day forth your souls will continue on in the service of the Spirit of All.

The sun peeked over the horizon and a ray of sunshine streaked across the cosmos and glistened upon the lush green grass and the dew resting upon the warm ground. The creation within the Wind of the Spirit glistened like a royal bejeweled court whose brilliance gleamed dreamily for but a moment and then the Wind that Protected settled into the ground and a deep-felt hush pierced the souls of the friends.

Glaubenwarden, we will leave you now. Annabelle, come down here now. It is time for you to return to your parents.

Annabelle scooted down the skin of her old friend and gave him a big hug when her feet touched the ground. "Thank you, my friend. Thank you for