327- The Disguised

Mark noticed that his friend Peter was acting unlike himself. He seemed to be putting on a mask that did not really express what he was like. He wanted to talk to him about his hypocrisy so he told him this story:

A lazy, sneaky raven tried to cover himself in dust. That way, he thought, he could deceive the pigeons into thinking that he was one of them and not have to find his own food.

He approached a group of pigeons feeding in the yard. The older pigeons soon knew that he was not one of them. He walked differently. They chased him away.

The second day, after having practiced the walk, he returned. It was not easy to reveal his true identity but as soon as he ate a piece of meat, it was clear that he was not a pigeon. Again, they chased him away.

The third day, he returned but he had learned to eat only what the pigeons eat. He approached the pigeons, walked like them, only ate what they ate and things were going well until an old friend of his passed by and called him. He immediately answered and so was again exposed.

The first time his walk revealed him, the second time, his taste in food and the third, his voice. Likewise, no matter how much a person tries to pretend to cover his or her true identity, their behavior, desires or language will reveal them.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: الغراب المتخفّي.

Remove from me the mask of hypocrisy to hide in You only.

With Your Holy Spirit renew my nature.

Change my behavior, my desires and my language,

To become truly Your son and daughter,

And live likened to the heavenly hosts.

A Bouquet of Dead Flowers

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Noah Comforts me