Did I dream this story? Did I invent it? Or did I hear or read it somewhere? Is it a legend? I do not remember. But it haunts me, and each time I  learn of men hating and misunderstanding each other, and fearing each other and killing each other, or when there is hostility between religions, between races, or between nation and nation, the story returns to me with powerful and  significant force.

A man was walking across the great, desolate wilderness at twilight, alone, and hearing only his crackling footsteps on the dry and brittle earth. He knew nothing of his destination, which was obscure and mysterious, and he was much afraid. There was no moon in the sky, and the sun had gone.

Suddenly, at a distance, he saw the vague outline of another creature, and he was struck with terror. A wild animal who would destroy him? An unknown monster who is stalking him? There was no shelter, no boulder behind which he could hide, no tree to conceal him. He had to go on, though there was no help for him, a traveler alone in the half-light. He kept his eyes on the vague and distant figure, which kept its pace even as it seemed to come a little nearer.

Then, all at once, the distorted figure became the figure of a man. Now the traveler was even more terrified. Fellow men were more dangerous than wild beasts, more to be feared. Fellow men had weapons, subtle and murderous, and we're without mercy or compassion. Against their attack, there was no defense. The traveler halted, trembling and lost. A robber? A murderer? The shadows deepened. The figure in the distance halted uncertainly; then, as if with a desperate fear of its own, appeared to decide that it must investigate.

It changed its course and came toward the traveler timidly, uttering faint words of peace and apprehension. The twilight brightened a little, and the travelers saw the figure’s faces. He cried out with joy, and ran toward the shadowy "enemy."

They reached each other and embraced, exclaiming with relief in love.

“I thought you were a mad animal who would devour me!” cried the traveler, with love and shame. “I thought you were a murderer who would kill me! And all the time you were only my brother.”

By Taylor Caldwell from Good Housekeeping. 1960’s