456- The Happy Ant

 

St-Takla.org Image: Fire ants, ant, lead by example - "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise" (Proverbs 6:6). صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: نمل ناري، نملة، القدوة - "اِذْهَبْ إِلَى النَّمْلَةِ أَيُّهَا الْكَسْلاَنُ. تَأَمَّلْ طُرُقَهَا وَكُنْ حَكِيمًا" (سفر الأمثال 6: 6).

Joy was a happy ant. Every day he would return home in a joyful mood. He would tell his friends, the other ants, about the Wonderful Creator who made this beautiful world. An atmosphere of joy would fill the place as they listened to him. One day, when he returned singing and praising the Lord, his friends asked him, “Joy, what makes you so happy today? Tell us what is making you even happier than usual?”

Joy said, “After I finished the work I was doing with you, I went for a walk on the rocks. As I stood to admire the beautiful blue sky, a dove flew by. She had lovely wings that looked like two great fans.

I said to her, “You’re so beautiful. The Creator has excelled and given you two lovely wings, and a sweet voice. By looking at you, I can clearly see the touches of the great Creator.”

While I spoke to her, a strong current swept me away into the water. The dove came to my help at once. She carried a small branch in her beak. I climbed up on it. Then she flew and carried me away from the water. She really saved me from death. I thanked her for her love, sweetness and gentleness.

After a while, I saw the dove asleep on a treetop. A young boy had spotted her, and was preparing a sling and stone to shoot at her. As soon as I realized what he was about to do, I hurried and stung his foot. This made him cry out and jump. So the dove was awakened and flew away. The boy could no longer catch her. I had saved her from the cruel boy. I thank God that He had allowed me to save the dove. Actually, I need her and she needs me.

I wish people would realize that, so that they would not despise one another.

The strong need the weak, just as much as the weak need the strong.

The old need the young, just as much as the young need the old.”

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: النملة السعيدة.

I need you, O Savior of the world.

I need every young child.

Grant me not to despise anyone.

Help me to overcome feelings of worthlessness.

May I realize that I am a member united with all my fellow men.

A Young Girl Confessing

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

The Frogs and the Fighting Bulls