Page Content (OCR)
| jumped to my feet with what probably could be described only as a broad grin. Firkon too wore a wide smile, and we exchanged the customary greeting. Then he said a certain word, stressing it in a way which clearly gave to it some we etnee law ate eee particular significance. As we left the hotel together, he said, ?The handclasp has been described to a certain extent and we thought it best to add the word you have just heard as a further identification between you and those of our worlds who are contacting you here. This will be particularly useful in case you are approached by someone strange to you, as will sometimes be the case. 2An excellent precaution,? | agreed. Then, glancing at my wrist watch and noting that it was already 7:15, | said, ?If your plans permit, and you would like something to eat, | know of a little caffitilose by where we can sit in a booth and talk undisturbed. ? ?That will fit in perfectly,? he said, adding with a smile, ?after all, the body too has to be nourished!? As we walked along | asked about Ramu. Firkon told me that he would not be with us tonight. The cafflias full but we were fortunate in arriving just in time to sup into a booth as the former occupants were leaving. We exchanged greetings with the waitress who came to clear the table. Firkon glanced briefly at the menu she had given him, then laid it aside and ordered a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat, black coffee and a piece of apple pie. ?1?Il take the same,? | said. When we were left alone, he began speaking quietly. ?1 see that, reading along in that magazine, you were struck by the volume of suspicion, antagonism and hatred which groups of men on your Earth are continuously fostering against other groups. http://web.archive.org/web/20010905033016/http://www.universe- people.com/ Since | had not been consciously thinking of this after Firkon?s arrival, | was somewhat amazed that he was aware of my reaction. DAN. ee ate De nee Oe a 2 ee ee ee a a tee ee ?Quite simple,? he explained, 7it is still a very powerful thought picture in what you might call the ?back of your mind.? Few people,? he went on, ?recognize those destructive emotions within themselves for what they are?even those who pride themselves on possessing mild dispositions. Yet notice what a small incident is necessary to cause a man to lose his temper. While, with a little more aggravation, he enters the fighting stage and becomes aggressive in what he calls ?self-protection.? ?Actually, this is nothing but a state of emotional unbalance that carries with it a force of fury that sheds all reason. Once recognized, such habit patterns can be curbed, or even broken entirely.? At this point our food was brought. As we were left alone again he continued, ?Responsibility for the state of affairs existing on Earth today cannot be blamed on only a few in any nation. In my business and social contacts with my Earth brothers | have encountered many saturated with these destructive emotions and encased in egotism. Naturally, fear and confusion are prevalent. A few have