The Right Hand : A Story of Love, Faith and Loyalty
" Love suffers long and is kind...rejoices in the
truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes
all things, endures all things...love never fails." 1
Corinthians 13:4-8
There was once a beautiful lady whose beloved was sent
away to fight a battle in a land where most didn't
dare go. While he was gone, she spent her days taking
care of their property, overseeing financial debts,
and doing whatever was needed to make the time go by.
At night she sat alone while the other ladies of the
court wined and dined, flirting with men other than
their husbands. Though she did not complain, her eyes
spoke her sadness and her smile was deepened by
longing. Yet her heart was full of light for she loved
her husband and knew he would come home to her.
One day, something tragic happened. Out of spite and
envy by the other ladies, her character was called
into question. The lie was that she had been
unfaithful to her husband. Because she was considered
to be a respected and well known person, the rumors
flew like fire.
And unexpectedly, her husband returned on the day when
she was called forth to deny or confess.
Her husband was saddened to hear the news and in his
heart, he was quick to defend that she had been true.
He instead went to her and looking into her eyes, he
asked her to show her loyalty.
Without hesitation, she repiled softly, " Take my
right hand off." He was shocked as she held out his
sword to him. " Why?" He incrediculously asked her.
She responded gently, " My husband, you are the love
of my life and the only man who has ever been with me
since the day we wed. I would rather lose my right
hand from which all I am useful of, than be unfaithful
to you."
He was speechless.He refused and argued passionately
with her about this. At this, the court became
restless and began to chant that the deed be done.
Against his will, he was held as her right hand was
taken off. She didn't cry or scream, merely looked
into his eyes, showing no fear.
Her husband was overcome with the truth and depth of
her loyalty. He immediately stepped up and said
strongly, " If you take from my wife, then you must
take the same from me."
Before it could be done, his wife went to him and
said, " Beloved, be still. You are more useful to me
whole."
At her words, her husband knelt down and pressed his
face against her left hand. Kissing it, he looked up
at her and smiled lovingly, saying, " Then it shall
be. I will be your Right Hand. What you have given for
me was never lost because you knew I was with you all
the time." Taking her into his arms, he walked with
her from the court. They were never seen again but
rumor has it that the court looked everywhere for her
missing hand. It was never found.
Morale of the story: You lose nothing but gain more
with love, faithfulness and loyalty.
THE END By Sook Haley
truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes
all things, endures all things...love never fails." 1
Corinthians 13:4-8
There was once a beautiful lady whose beloved was sent
away to fight a battle in a land where most didn't
dare go. While he was gone, she spent her days taking
care of their property, overseeing financial debts,
and doing whatever was needed to make the time go by.
At night she sat alone while the other ladies of the
court wined and dined, flirting with men other than
their husbands. Though she did not complain, her eyes
spoke her sadness and her smile was deepened by
longing. Yet her heart was full of light for she loved
her husband and knew he would come home to her.
One day, something tragic happened. Out of spite and
envy by the other ladies, her character was called
into question. The lie was that she had been
unfaithful to her husband. Because she was considered
to be a respected and well known person, the rumors
flew like fire.
And unexpectedly, her husband returned on the day when
she was called forth to deny or confess.
Her husband was saddened to hear the news and in his
heart, he was quick to defend that she had been true.
He instead went to her and looking into her eyes, he
asked her to show her loyalty.
Without hesitation, she repiled softly, " Take my
right hand off." He was shocked as she held out his
sword to him. " Why?" He incrediculously asked her.
She responded gently, " My husband, you are the love
of my life and the only man who has ever been with me
since the day we wed. I would rather lose my right
hand from which all I am useful of, than be unfaithful
to you."
He was speechless.He refused and argued passionately
with her about this. At this, the court became
restless and began to chant that the deed be done.
Against his will, he was held as her right hand was
taken off. She didn't cry or scream, merely looked
into his eyes, showing no fear.
Her husband was overcome with the truth and depth of
her loyalty. He immediately stepped up and said
strongly, " If you take from my wife, then you must
take the same from me."
Before it could be done, his wife went to him and
said, " Beloved, be still. You are more useful to me
whole."
At her words, her husband knelt down and pressed his
face against her left hand. Kissing it, he looked up
at her and smiled lovingly, saying, " Then it shall
be. I will be your Right Hand. What you have given for
me was never lost because you knew I was with you all
the time." Taking her into his arms, he walked with
her from the court. They were never seen again but
rumor has it that the court looked everywhere for her
missing hand. It was never found.
Morale of the story: You lose nothing but gain more
with love, faithfulness and loyalty.
THE END By Sook Haley