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

412- A General Going Back to Prison

 

St-Takla.org Image: A man in prison with shackles, a soldier in jail. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: رجل في قيود وسلاسل السجن، جندي مقبوض عليه.

The Roman history records the courage and honesty of a Roman General. If he promised something he would fulfill his promise, even if it cost him his life. Also he never lied to any one.

There were several battles between Rome and Granada. Sometimes, Rome won and sometimes, Granada won. During one of these battles, General Marcus Atilius Regulus was taken captive to Granada. That was in the third century BC.

He was imprisoned in a cell and after a while he became ill and lost all hope that he would ever see his wife and children again.

Though Rome had lost the battle, he realized as an experienced General that at the end, Rome would win.

Also the leaders at Granada realized that they are losing, so they brought the captive General and told him, “If you can convince your government to make peace with us we shall set you free.”

The General agreed. He was taken to Rome where he was greeted very well. His wife and children were glad that he came back. The General said to the authorities, “If we make peace with Granada we’ll be able to have a truce; our army will get stronger and we’ll be able to defeat the enemy.”

The leaders in Rome asked him to stay, but he said, “I came to say goodbye to my family and to my country. Then, I will go back to prison in Granada.”

They said to him, “Stay with us and don’t worry.”

He said, “But I promised, and I’ve to fulfill my promise.”

They suggested sending someone in his place but he said, “Is it right for a Roman citizen not to fulfill his promise? I’m ill and won’t live for long. I can’t break my promise and now I wish you good luck.”

The General bravely returned to jail in Granada in very bad circumstances that led to his death.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: قائد يعود إلى السجن!

A Roman citizen is proud of his citizenship, if he promises he fulfills.

Lord let me as a son of Yours to be honest,

That I can carry You in my heart O the Truth

So I can fulfill my promises.

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