89- He Doesn’t Insult Me

During one of my visits to families in Santa Monica, California, I stopped my car and was greeted happily by a boy and his dog, which had been playing in the front garden. I then began this conversation with him:

“I see that you’re happy with your dog.”

“Yes, I love him very much. We play together.”

“What do you call him?”

“Lucky, and he has our surname.”

“Do you love him more than your sister?”

“Of course!”

“Do you love him more than your friends at school?”

“Yes, because he doesn’t insult me. He doesn’t call me fat like my friends do.”

The words were bitter and came from deep within the child. He found love from that small dog. The dog, unlike the boy’s family, had time to play with him. Unlike the boy’s friends, he expressed delight and not insults when they played together. This child’s emotional needs were satisfied by the small dog in a way his family and friends failed to do.

Many a heart is in need of affection and time without the hurt of insults even those in jest.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: إنه لا يهينني!

Grant us, O Lord to satisfy our brethren’s hearts with love,

That they may not seek it from a dog or a cat,

Or resort to solicit it by other means.

Fill us with the joyous wok of Your Spirit,

That we may overflow with joy towards our brethren,

That we may not utter a hurting word,

Or express a look of mockery.

Grant us to respect every human soul,

And not take any child for granted,

O who carry us in Your Fatherly bosom.

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