And what can you tell me about the sword lily?” Yitzchak tests her. “They are a genus of the gladiolus family.” “And what is the meaning of the word ‘gladiolus’?” “It means strength of character, Grandfather. It means never giving up. And, it is part of the iris family, which signifies hope.” Magda, initially pleased she is able to roll the answers off her tongue, now looks away from Yitzchak, into the trees beyond. She is thinking about the word “hope.” “Strength and hope,” repeats her grandfather. “Our special, secret words. These are the finest qualities a person can have. Qualities I see
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