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

571- The Proud Lion and the Little Horse

 

St-Takla.org Image: A roaring lion - the king of the forest صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: أسد يزأر - ملك الغابة

When the lion was hungry he saw a little horse eating in the field. He went to devour him but when he saw him little, he refused proudly to eat him without amusing himself. He rushed towards the little horse. As he saw him running, he said to him, “Why are you running dear son? Don’t be afraid. I heard that you’re sick. I’m a doctor who came to treat you.”

As the little horse heard that, he realized that he would not escape from the lion’s jaws. He stopped and said to him calmly, “Thank you kind doctor, as you came especially to treat me.”

The lion asked about his complaints. He answered that he suffered from severe pains in the hoofs of his hind legs. Then, the horse raised his leg before the lion and the lion caught it. The lion bowed down his head to examine it. He was standing on his hind legs. As the lion’s head was near the horse, the horse kicked him strongly in the face and wounded him.

The lion lied on his back while the horse ran rapidly escaping.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: الأسد المتشامخ والحصان الصغير.

Pride caused a great heavenly being to fall.

He fell down together with his angels,

From the high heaven to the deep hell.

Grant me O Lord the spirit of wisdom and meekness,

So that I would not trust in the proud enemy of good.

Grant me not to be deceived with sweet words.

May I work strongly,

As You grant me the spirit of victory.

Whenever a person is meek,

Mercy embraces him.

As mercy comes near to him,

The heart knows that God supports it,

As it discovers a strong assurance in it.

(St. Isaac Syrus).

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