2. A STRANGER once again visits the United Nation The following article is taken from the “Parade-Magazine” from the 25th of December 1960, one of the Sunday supplements that is published with numerous other newspapers in the USA. “During the recent convention at the “United Nations” of the highest political leaders in Earth, it was reported that an impressive looking STRANGER, who one assumed to be the speaker of some peace movement, slipped into the foyer for the delegates and preached peace to all those that would listen. The Washington correspondent for the “Parade-Magazine”, Jack Anderson, incorporated this event into a Christmas story whose message was as old as the Christmas festivities we celebrate every year, and as new as today’s newspaper headlines. The foyer for the delegates within the rooms of the UN felt electrified with anxious concerns. The debate over disarmament this morning had been a stormy affair. The behaviour of the Russians (Khrushchev) had frightened and shocked the statesmen that were assembled there. Even Hitler and Mussolini had not rattled their sabres as much as this man with his rockets. He displayed a new nadir of brutal diplomacy with his waving hands and his screaming voice. The world once again heard the well-known cry: ‘Power before Justice!’ Up in the pressroom, rattling typewriters and telex machines sent his massage of violence and fear to all the nations on Earth. In the high, spacious foyer of the delegates that faces the East River, the diplomats huddled in groups to discuss the ominousness of his behaviour. An obvious warning had sprung from his pomposity and his aggressiveness, namely: “Those that are not with us, are against us!” This is how the nations on Earth make their decisions, some out of fears, others because they are annoyed and still others out of ignorance. This was the moment when the STRANGER entered. With the exception of an attentive security guard, whose attention was captured by something that could have been a reflected light from one the large wall widows that gleamed in the winter sun, he remained unobserved for a few minutes. The STRANGER seemed to have a glow around him, but the security guard had the strange feeling this was of a different origin than the sparkling sunlight. The STRANGER was tall, held himself very erect and dignified without appearing stiff or arrogant. He was dressed plainly. He wore a not too expensive, but immaculate suit. But it was his head that caught most of the attention. He had thick, chestnut coloured hair, parted in the middle and it fell in waves down to his shoulders. A short, forked beard completed the picture. His skin was suntanned. His blue eyes had a penetrating, authoritative, but strangely mild look about them. The head of security was used to seeing people of all kind of description, as they were assembled here from all the different countries on Earth. He thought that the STRANGER was the representative of some peace organisation, maybe a little on the odd side, but harmless. He discretely approached him in order to check his credentials. The STRANGER had move across to a group of Asians and engaged them in conversation. His voice was deep, almost melodic but somehow penetrating. To his great astonishment, the head of security was able to understand every word that was said. It was exactly like the instant translation that took place during UN debates, but without a headphone. The STRANGER said: ‘Good-will must exist between people before peace can reign on Earth. The LOVE that burns within individual hearts emits a glow. The glow from many hearts could produce such a bright LIGHT, that all DARKNESS would be banned from this world.’ The STRANGER moved from one group to another to spread his message. Attracted by his ‘magnetic personality’ and his talent for languages, the security guard followed him in awe. Others also seemed to notice that the STANGER’S words could be understood by people that spoke a different language. But they rejected this idea as if they didn’t trust their own ears. Whilst he thus pleaded with them, he encountered some cynicism, but he never lost his temper. His face was earnest, well even a little sad most of the time. But when he smiled it was an infinitely mellifluous smile. The Russian then stormed into the hall with his entourage, agile like a bear. He immediately became the main attraction. Even those that hated and feared him move closer in order to hear what he might say. He traversed the hall, made jokes, slapped people’s backs and shook hands. He held court. The diplomats
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