My story Bentari is centered on the kind of “strife among men” that so deeply affected Ladis Kristof. In his lifetime, the mortal combat of World War II in Europe could not extinguish Kristof’s faith in the future of mankind. In Bentari, a very young boy is confronted by horrific challenges that his people and his parents could not have foreseen and for which they had no chance to prepare him. His parents did prepare him well, however, to meet challenges face-forward with faith and courage. It’s this family tie, this dynamic, that lies closely under the surface of all the terrible, unwanted action—how could a boy so young play such a role in the strife of combat between his people and invaders?

Yesterday, this space was reserved for Professor Ladis “Kris” Kristof, who inspired many to be climbers, learners and promoters of peace. Today, it is fit and not a surprise that the professor’s son Nicholas has written about his late dad whose long life ended just a few days before Father’s Day. (Nicholas D. Kristof is a Pulitzer Prize winning Op-Ed columnist for the New York Times)

Here, I’ve posted two short quotes from Nicholas D. Kristof’s bright remembrance—a grateful tribute to and for his father’s now concluded life on earth.

Mr. Kristof wrote, “Reporting on poverty and absentee fathers has taught me what a gift fatherhood is: I know I won the lottery of life by having loving, caring parents.”

Later, he adds, “I know that such a long and rich life is to be celebrated, not mourned. I know that his values and outlook survive because they are woven into my fabric.”

To read Nicholas D. Kristof’s entire column online, please see “My Father’s Gift to Me” at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/opinion/20kristof.html?ref=nicholasdkristof

Like Nicholas, my parents bequeathed me richly by their love, generosity and wisdom. Now my wife Debra and I carry the baton. Now our children and grandchildren reach out to us to take it next.

Thanks to the Kristof family for teaching and sharing with so many of us. Thanks to my parents and Debra’s dad, living so long in our hearts and still sharing our love. Thanks to all parents and all teachers.

I hope that many of you will soon follow my young hero’s adventures. You will learn how his parents prepared him. You will learn the wisdom that the crocodile and the plover have to teach. You will be torn by both greed and honor that the centuries have shaped into the odd heritage belonging to a tribe of orphans. And you will see how ancestral lessons from two continents are joined magnificently and tenderly into one brave, young boy’s breast.

Please send feedback about this blog entry to Tim@Bentari.com. Thank you.