A FOREST FIRE
A baby elephant had no playmate. He approached
all the animals in the forest including the birds and fishes, but none of them
was willing to accept him as a friend. The birds told him that he was very heavy
and could not fly and so could not join them in their games in the air. The
fishes argued that he could not swim with them to the depths of the lake and so
they were helpless.
Land animals told him that due to his large size he may step on them
while playing and crush them to death by accident and so they were afraid to
play with him. He remained helpless and hopeless, cursing the disgusting
bitterness of solitude.
One day a wild fire broke out in the forest. The animals fled to safer places. The dry bushes caught fire
and the fire was sure to spread all around the forest. The baby elephant rose
to the occasion and ran to the nearest stream. He collected water in his trunk and
rushed to the burning bushes. He sprayed the water on the fire with force to
extinguish the flames. He ran to the stream and returned with water at top
speed several times. As the fire was not widespread, he could control the fire
and extinguish it completely by his repeated and rapid action.
While he was resting after the strenuous exercise, all the animals and
birds came to him and expressed their thanks for his bold and timely service, most sincerely. They told him that
he was a friend in need and so was a friend indeed. They were now ready to
include him in their company as their best friend and their mighty saviour. He
promised to take utmost care to see that no harm is caused to them by his
movement or involvement in their games.
Joseph Addison said, "Friendship improves
happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief."
A true friend is one who knows all about us and still loves us. There are two kinds of people. Some of them brighten the room when they enter. Others brighten the room when they leave. George Washington advised to associate with men of good quality for it is better to be alone than in bad company
A true friend is one who knows all about us and still loves us. There are two kinds of people. Some of them brighten the room when they enter. Others brighten the room when they leave. George Washington advised to associate with men of good quality for it is better to be alone than in bad company
The Bible
teaches, "Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to
share trouble?" {Proverbs 17:
17}. A loyal friend is like a medicine that keeps you in good health"
{Sirach 6: 16}. "The greatest love a person can have for his
friends is to give his life for them" {John 15: 13}.
"I
think that God will never send,
A
gift so precious as a friend.
A
friend who always understands,
And
fills each need as it demands."- Rosalie Carter.
................................................................................................
© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of
Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.
Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and
Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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