It is evening again. We quiet folk watch the sky. We watch the hills. We are following hope. It is an elusive partner. At times, there it is in its glory, while at other times it hides behind the clouds or in the shadows. Often hope can be found in the shadows. When life appears bleak, a bit of hope sticks its head out of the hidden place.

Hope walks with the Old Man in the cool of the evening. Mr. Mole and Mr. Badger join them. They speak of great ideas and plans. How to live a life of peace and hope. Forgetting the bad and focusing on the good. The Shadow Men are there. Standing along the side of the woods path. Waiting for a moment of influence, a time to concoct a conspiracy theory. They have the stones, the stumbling stones. Many racers for Hope have stumbled. The Shadow Men watch in the evening light. Hope smiles at the Shadow Men, and they nod in return greeting. Both have purpose and mission. Both perform on the stage of life, and we are thespians too.

‘Let’s keep moving,’ Mr. Mole said. ‘We must continue our journey home before the Shadow Men become bold,’ Mr. Mole continued. ‘Their purpose is to slow our progress and discourage us,’ Moley noted. ‘I have seen friends stop for years to talk with the Shadow Men, drink tea, eat cakes,’ Moley noted.

‘A Shadow Man told me to slow down and smell the roses, no need to worry about arriving home,’ Jane said. ‘He said, ‘Listen to my leaders and do what they say; soon I will have nothing to fear but fear itself,’ Jane laughed at the borrowed quote. ‘The Shadow Man said Hope is oversold and sought too much; it is a lofty concept that does not square with reality,’ Jane continued. ‘Shadow Man offered me a cup of tea and some shortbread cookies,’ Jane explained. ‘He said that the promise of Hope was realized in the President, the New Way of christianity Christian/Nationalism,’ Jane said with anger. ‘Trust and Obey; there is no other way. Do not think too much, as your heart will deceive you. Let the President do the thinking,’ Jane laughed.