In a small town of Harmony there was never a lot for the young to do. There were only a few of the youth who would ever get into any kind of mischief. The nuisance they created was usually directed at who they called, “Ole man, Hayman.” Hayman had lived in this small town his entire sixty five years. He never married, has no children, and probably does not have a friend in the world.
He ran the only hardware store in town, however over the years his business decreased. It was not because of the new store that had opened up over in the next town, but was basically because Hayman never had a good word to say to anyone. It hadn’t always been that way however.
When Hayman was young, like those who now taunt him, he was quite popular. Hayman is a very talented pianist. He won every musical or talent contest that he ever entered. He had even been awarded a full scholarship to a college of music, but something happened that redirected the course his life could have gone.
In the town of Harmony also lived a man named Solomon. This was a man that even the most mischievous kid respected. He had been a teacher for thirty years and had been a pastor for twenty-five years after that. No one knew for sure his age, but all joked that he had to be nearing one hundred.
Solomon had been a widower for almost thirty years. His two children would come back to Harmony a few times a year to visit with his grandchildren. There never seemed to be a day though that went by that someone didn’t stop by to visit with Solomon and usually took him a gift or food. Solomon was very grateful and showed his appreciation by offering helpful suggestions that everyone in Harmony regarded as great wisdom.
There was a time when even Hayman would go to offer a gift to Solomon, but Hayman became angry because he never understood the question Solomon would ask him each time that he came. The question that would burn in Hayman’s mind for years was, “How many more times will you let the sun rise?”
It was a brisk day when Morty and his wife Estrella finally settled in their new home in Harmony. Both had not been back for years, but this was the small town that each of them had grown up in. Morty and Hayman had been close friends in high school and Hayman was even Morty’s best man at his wedding to Estrella. It was on that day when Hayman’s life was redirected.
Hayman had a difficult time ever expressing his feelings, except through music. For him, unfortunately, Estrella never could understand that the times as they grew up as neighbors, Hayman playing for her was his way of telling her that he loved her. After the wedding Morty and Estrella moved to another state. They have been married for almost fifty years, with three kids, and several grandchildren. After retiring they decided to move back to Harmony.
Over the years they had not kept in touch with anyone from Harmony and often thought about what ever happened to Hayman. Neither would have guessed that he had given up his scholarship and had stayed in Harmony to become the bitter man that he is. Morty knew of the tradition of people taking food to Solomon, so one night after Estrella made a home made pie he took it over.
Solomon answered the door and greeted Morty, but would not let him in or accept his gift. He told Morty to leave his gift at the door and seek reconciliation. Morty did not really understand what Solomon had meant for he could not think of anyone he had offended. Solomon encouraged Morty to follow the music and at that time Morty heard the pounding of ivory coming from the home place of Hayman.
As Morty approached Hayman’s he could almost feel the rage of the music that bellowed from the house. Morty wondered how could such an eerie sound come from the town of Harmony. It took time, but after awhile Hayman began to let go of his bitterness. It could be seen by his new, friendly behavior and be heard in his music that began to eloquently flow from his home. Hayman finally discovered the answer to the question Solomon had often asked him.
Originally written February 9th, 2000.
~TRS
Do you know the answer to the question Solomon asked Hayman for years? If not read Ephesians 4:26.
Rays of Hope 