Jupiter and Friends

Jeffrey Shinji Kashida

This is a Fantasy and Adventure novel I created on the assumption that Shakyamuni, Jesus, and Muhammad live during the same period, and they communicated among themselves. These great men in the story appeared as ordinary persons, avoiding religious fundamentalist’ viewpoint.
   One day, while Eugene (one of the two main characters) was away from his village, a band of some one hundred thieves trampled down the village, using their swords, arrows, and other weapons to deadly effect. Houses were burned down, capturing women and children away. This once peaceful village completely transformed into a hell. Eugene ‘s mother was also captured and taken away by the intruders.
   Eugene and his friend together with his dog, Jupiter, began travelling toward the bandits’ fortress to save his mother and other villagers. Various unique brave men and women joined Eugene and his friends, and they were successfully able to accomplish their goal.
   Mohamed, the other main character, had a chance to visit India and met various disciples of Shakyamuni. He had a chance to attend Shakyamuni’s preaching. Through conversation with his main disciples, he came to realize that his experience at Hira was his special moment of seeing the universal truth of eternity of life. He enlightened himself that the most valuable way of life is to seek our utmost identity by overcoming various small egos and earthly desires.