Bread: A Modern Parable

By David Templeton

Templeton's prose is brisk, clear, comic and surprising....an offer of fresh angles on complex ideas with bursts of humor.... arresting, unsettling imagery and wholly surprising details—BOOKLIFE REVIEW

David Templeton's engrossing Christian novel Bread is a spiritual parable about the transformational power of relationships.....set in a divided world in which one life can make a difference. - FOREWORD REVIEWS

 

The problem with evil is the inevitability of its arrival. Nearly every person alive will, at some point, suffer. What if there was a way for the restorative power of grace and redemption to be just as certain?

Bread invites you to look at that idea as a reality. We follow the life of a lonely and compromised protagonist named Caleb who, against all odds, embarks on a surprising and unpredictable journey of discovery, and in the process, determines if he has a destiny to fulfill. He wants to find out if Redemption, Grace and Love are real or just words.

Everything that happens to him is played out in a mythical city called Solé, where life has handed him a horrifying problem. He has no idea how he may have contributed to its claim on his life. His situation is dire. The loneliness he feels has become tangible; a growing, serpentine form located in his torso is reminding him of his impending psychological and spiritual extinction.

That's where his learning curve begins. He finally understands that the restoration he needs must come from a source greater than himself.  

The mythical city of Solé is the realm where Caleb, and the reader, experience the unambiguous personal failures and achievements a life can have. Evil and loss, undying true love and hope, are juxtaposed against an unseen realm of competing forces of good and evil, determined to gain ultimate control of human souls, or release them to divine inheritance. Like life, the story is impossible to predict from one page to the next. 

My hope is that Bread, crafted as an unpredictable and entertaining story, will also reveal truths embedded in its pages, and offer each reader the wonder of their own life's potential.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Templeton
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798987728406

Book preview

B R E A D

David Templeton

Praise for BREAD

Templeton’s prose is brisk, clear, comic and surprising....an offer of fresh angles on complex ideas with bursts of humor.... arresting, unsettling imagery and wholly surprising details.

Booklife Review

David Templeton’s engrossing Christian novel Bread is a spiritual parable about the transformational power of relationships.....set in a divided world in which one life can make a difference.

Foreword reviews

A friend who knows I love to read, gave me a copy of this new book. David Templeton’s Bread is almost indescribable, except that it is more different than any book I’ve read. I found myself glued to the pages completely entertained, wondering what was about to happen. It made me think, laugh and weep...Nothing could have prepared me for the ending. This book left me feeling more hopeful

MC Texas

This inspiring book was a joy to read with its jewels of insight into the intimacy of relationships and the benefits of living a God-conscious life. The numerous vignettes supporting the compelling storyline felt like God was speaking directly to me, uplifting my soul. A great read, surprisingly creative, with takeaways for everyone.

DB Arizona

To Karen, my beloved wife, who is my Kareena.

•

SPECIAL THANKS

To Jordan and Mikhaila Peterson, who one day, unknowingly taught me that one moment of taking responsibility is more valuable than a lifetime of excuses.

Michelle Wildgen, who critiqued and encouraged in just the right balance.

To my Family, who always loved me.

Contents

Prologue

Bread

The Arrangement

The Abyss

Vanishing

Gifting

The Key To Success

Argo And Friendship

The Opportunity Appears

The Meeting

Speaking Math

Change

Consequence

The Miracle

A New Life

Uprising

Deconstruction

Preparing For Conflict

Attack

Changing Locations

About the Author

Prologue

Long ago, when history was only beginning, there was a village named Solé. The people of Solé were an enthusiastic group of several dozen families. They lived in thatched huts located amongst large aspen trees where robins and cardinals made their nests and sang for the people each morning. Their village encircled a community meeting place where they would sometimes share important village business, like newly-learned animal husbandry and farming techniques, food storage methods and solving interpersonal conflicts. They lived their lives expecting good things to happen. If someone became sick and unable to work, volunteers took action hunting and farming on their behalf while they convalesced. When the ailing person became well, their entire family attended a community meeting and thanked all who supported them, went out hunting game, came home, and enlarged their own garden in case another member of the community was in need.

If somebody died, they grieved for a time and chronicled stories about the departed so others could honor their memory. The prosperity in Solé was proportional to the skill and effort of each person. Some had small gardens, others had much larger ones. Some were better hunters than others. But for now, everyone had enough. They believed their predictable and comfortable lives would continue as they always had.

As the people began stirring one morning, a scream tore through the village. Soon nearly everyone was standing together, staring at a lifeless body. It was Joseph, Solé’s best hunter and owner of the largest, most productive garden. His shocked wife and their two children were standing over him. Joseph’s skull had been crushed, leaving a bloody wound on the back of his head.

Joseph’s best friend, a man named Petras, had been second to arrive at the body following Joseph’s family. He was a leader and regarded by all as a great hunter. He removed a bloody stone lying beside the body, left in haste by the murderer, and told the family to remain quiet about it. Soon he convened a council made up of 11 more people considered to be Solé’s wisest. The purpose of the Council was two-fold:

Decide how to best care for Joseph’s wife and children.

Design a strategy for finding and punishing Joseph’s murderer.

Petras himself was very wise as he frequently discovered improvements in hunting and farming techniques. He was never caught off guard and strategized successfully for every consequence. People said, Petras could step in a bear trap but come home with the bear. He was skilled at helping to settle the infrequent, personal disputes in the village. His personal prosperity grew steadily with his success. But now, he was keeping to himself a plan within a plan. He suspected a particular member of the Council to be Joseph’s murderer.

Petras opened the meeting. To begin our council, I would like an answer to our first question. How should we best care for Joseph’s family? One by one, each member answered. Most solutions included members of the village sharing from their own supplies. Another noted it would take next to nothing from each villager if everyone participated. The group felt energized as they realized how little it would take to solve their problem.

I can show the children how to garden and help them until they become old enough, said one member.

Petras said, I will teach the young ones to fish and hunt for game.

Another spoke up, It seems to me that if we all participate, before long, these poor, unfortunate children will grow to become strong, self-sufficient, and grateful members of Solé like their father.

The members nodded. A man named Dolus, the village mason and the one Petras suspected, raised his hand. Petras acknowledged him, Yes, Dolus, say on.

Dolus began, I question if this generosity we propose should be paid back by Joseph’s family. It’s only a question, mind you, but we’ve all worked hard for what we have. You could say our plan is perhaps too generous.

The other members remained quiet, but Petras quickly responded. Interesting idea Dolus. Please explain more.

Dolus continued, Well, I have been thinking about this since that tragic morning. I propose that all the people give their fair share of what they have in one central location. It would be much easier to control and distribute. I would even volunteer to manage the process.

Petras interrupted, There’s no need to decide for others what is fair, only what will solve our present problem. Let’s move on to the second question. The identity of the murderer.

This abrupt change triggered Dolus. He was visibly agitated. If Petras’ suspicion about Dolus was true, he needed Dolus to incriminate himself. So, he executed a strategy to distract Dolus and render him mentally careless. Petras used Dolus’ own anger against him by describing Joseph and his family in glowing terms instead of the plan Dolus appeared so invested in. He described Joseph’s prowess as a provider for his family and spoke of his generosity toward others.

We were all touched by Joseph’s generosity, especially towards you Dolus. Joseph told me of the many times he blessed you from his garden and with wild game.

Dolus responded angrily He was not a saint, only lucky! He had so much, it wasn’t fair! Why should he have so much?

Petras responded calmly, Such anger. Tell me Dolus, what if I told you a fragment of your clothing was found on the murder weapon?

Dolus shouted angrily, That means nothing! I use stones every day for the village masonry!

Petras stood, pointing his finger in Dolus’ direction. That’s right Dolus, but who told you the murder weapon was a stone?

Dolus shrieked, jumped up and attempted to run, bolting from the meeting. But a member named Stephan, an athletic, tall man, jumped, extended himself and grabbed Dolus by the ankle as the other members encircled him. They bound him, then turned to Petras.

What should we do? they asked.

He may take his masonry tools, a supply of food, and a map. Then Petras added, Dolus, if you ever return to Solé again, your body will fertilize Joseph’s family garden. Dolus was excommunicated. His departure left the community to mend its wounds but feeling uneasy. They wondered how the peace they had felt might one day be restored.

The next morning an unusual, rhythmic sound of masonry joined the robins and cardinals singing their first song. Soon Petras and a few others were out of their tents. In the center of the village, a tall, dark, long-haired man, a mason, was hard at work shaping an immense square stone foundation. It was fashioned with steps on all sides leading to a platform marked by a square hole in its middle. Lying on the ground next to it was a massive Obelisk, square at the bottom and tapered to a point at the top. Relieved that this mason wasn’t Dolus, the villagers became curious and moved forward until the builder was surrounded. But the man ignored them, intent on measuring and cutting the rock slab.

Petras voiced a question: Does anyone among us know this man? Nobody answered. Someone shouted, No, I don’t think so, but he does seem to enjoy his work. The comment drew a chuckle from the crowd.

Stephan whispered to Petras, The size of these items assures they are staying. It is likely a gift unless that fool Dolus decided for us it was a purchase.

Perhaps, but I’m tired of guessing. Said Petras.

Petras turned to approach the builder. A small child meandered from her parent, approached the man. Sir, who are you?

He turned to the girl, smiling, and said, Alyssa, you are brave and curious.

Someone asked, How does he know her? But no one answered.

Alyssa’s mother walked quickly to her daughter’s side, but the builder spoke to her too. There is no danger. Nodding in Alyssa’s direction, I am not troubled by her curiosity. For just a moment? His confident and gracious manner won her over, and Alyssa advanced to the builder. He drew the child carefully to himself and spoke privately with her. Then he placed his hands upon her head, whispering, as she stared into his rugged face.

Someone said, Look, the builder speaks a blessing over Alyssa. Alyssa rejoined her mother and whispered, I asked his name; his name is Logon. The information quickly traveled throughout the crowd all the way to Petras.

This man is a prophet, said another.

That depends. I intend to find out, said Petras. Logon had returned to his sculpting when Petras approached.

But the builder spoke first. Turning, he said, Petras, there is no lack of wisdom in you.

Several days later, Petras would describe it this way: "He looked at me with