Harbingers of Testing Times

An elderly wanderer was walking along a country road and suddenly saw three beautiful women riding horses toward him. As they approached him, the wanderer asked, "Who are you, fair ladies, and where are you heading?"

The one in the middle responded, "We are the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse."

"Horsewomen, not horsemen," the one on the left corrected her.

"That sounds stupid, horsewomen," the one on the right smirked.

"C'mon, stop it. I hate it when you two are bickering about this politically correct stuff. We are the four Horse Riders of the Apocalypse," the middle one said to the man.

"Are you, now?" the old man said in disbelief. "I thought the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse were Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. You beautiful ladies look nothing like them!"

"Oh well, thank you," the middle one responded, blushing from the unexpected compliment. "Indeed. Our names are Hope, Faith, and Love."

"Hmm," the old man contemplated. "Hope, Faith, and Love, are you? Then what happened to Conquest, War, Famine, and Death?"

"They were unavailable and God decided to change His game. Wanted some variety from the macabre, I guess. So He sent us instead."

"Hmm," the man thought a little again. "Hope, Faith, and Love. I like it! And who's the fourth one?"

"Jezebel?" Hope responded and looked back.

"She promised to catch up. She got delayed in the village again, if you know what I mean," Faith smiled and winked at the man as he added stride toward the village.

"Break your leg, old man!" Love added as they rode away.