The Architect

In a certain province called Albato lived a pretty giraffe, beautiful, very elegant and very rich. She was the single heir of her deceased husband, who had left her a fortune of large-scale. All the province knew the story. The beautiful giraffe had little friends, because the majority of the proposals of friendship had increased after the death of her husband who was known as a wealthy man. It was her suspicion that these proposals of friendship were not sincere, since most of them came only to ask for money that they never return. But, Alice, which was the name of our beautiful giraffe, had a childhood friend, who was a dog, and who was always with her. Never the two friends had quarrels and all the province begrudged their friendship.

Albato, which was also the name of the dog, despite the difficult situations in which he was, had never asked, not even once a small amount of money his girlfriend the giraffe; because he was trying to preserve his family honor since the Albato's family was the largest owner of the majority of the lands in the province. Because of this honor that the Albato's family held, their name was given to the entire province.

One day, madam giraffe called his friend Albato. Albato was a great architect. "I want to build a house in the neighboring province, and leave the envious eyes of this province.” Albato answered: "I am of the same opinion with you my sister.” The beautiful giraffe: “Then, I want you to draw the plan of the house and tell me how much is needed to build it. Then, when the work is finished, we will sell this house and we will leave to live in the new house far away from here. Albato lived in the same house as his girlfriend of childhood the giraffe. He showed himself as a true friend to her, and he was very helpful during the difficult times of her husband's death. The rich giraffe entrusted all her secrets to Albato. Albato was the only person who deserved Alice's confidence.

Albato now finished to design the plan of the house and invoiced the amount that was necessary to finish the house. This amount was 300 Veris. Veris was the currency of the province, and 1 Veris is comparable to 2000 dollars of today. The giraffe immediately gave the money because Albato was a great architect and the plan that he had proposed to her was splendid and candid.

Since Albato was only an architect, he made an appeal to two other dogs of the same color as him. One was Albatis, a master-mason; and the other was Albatus, a master-carpenter. The two friends dogs appealed to their workers. The beginning of the work was planned for the next day.

On the evening of the beginning of the work, the three dogs met to decide how the work should be. Albatis started by saying ``My friend Albato, what are you doing really with this long-necked giraffe?'' Albato answered: “She is a childhood friend and I like her very much.” Albatis replied: Here you are in a deep illusion. Look, we are all three of the same color and we are the same breed. We eat together and we understand each other very well in our reciprocal misery. You are a brother to us. One day, this giraffe will find another male neck longer than hers, and will forget about you. You have not even a house to live in. You are surely preparing your own misery for the future if you do not wake up now. The other dog also resumed; the one which was named Albatus: “Albatis is right. You must wake up now before it is too late. All the community of dogs is in need of you. God placed you near the rich giraffe so that you may be a blessing to all the dogs. Now you must act quickly, because it is now or never."

Albato bowed his head. He was confused. He pitied himself. He believed everything that they were telling him, and asked: ``What do I do?'' ``It is very simple," answered him Albatis. "We are going to buy materials of poor qualities to build her house. The rest of the money, we will give to the community of dogs to equip it and feed it. And since you do not want to lose her friendship, you will at least be satisfied for the fact that you helped your own community and at the same time remained with your giraffe for your own fate."

Albato accepted the proposal. The house was built exactly as the plan indicated, but with materials that would not last. The house was splendid in view and beautiful in sight. It was painted with Alice's favorite colors. The house was very attractive. In the 300 Veris, the two dogs had pocketed 250 Veris for the community of dogs. Albato any content, he went to see the rich giraffe to bring her to see the house. Arrival at the entrance of the House, the pretty giraffe broke out in tears then said: ``My friend Albato, you have always been a true friend to me. But, you have never asked me for anything. You are so dear to me that the only gift that I thought I offer you is this house, since I know a donation of money you would have refused. Here are the keys. Take them in sign of our friendship. I am going far from here. Perhaps that I do not come back again. The house in which I am now, i sold. It is tomorrow I will be departing. I did not want to tell you about this earlier, because I hate to tell you goodbye. " And then, the rich giraffe turned and left after having given a soft kiss to her friend.

Eight months later, Albato's house had already begun to fall apart. After two additional months it became worse. The house seemed already uninhabitable. Both dogs Albatis and Albatus, had actually given nothing to the community of dogs. Since the beautiful giraffe was very rich, and had no real need for money, she puts for sale her house on the market very cheap, only 100 Veris. And guess who bought the house, the two dogs, thieves.

With the rest of the money, the two dogs, both bought beautiful cars and began a huge enterprise of materials for construction. Albato could no longer live in his house. He went to see Albatis and Albatus to borrow some money or rent few construction materials from them to repair his house. The two friends replied «You are not wise. Now, your long neck friend has left you hands empty. Here, we work with wisdom. You will be hired as all the other workers, and when you make some money, you can fix your house with it." Albato accepted the proposal since he had no other choice. He had kept in him the guilt of having betrayed his friend and suffered in silence. His heart was also full of hatred against the two dogs. He hated himself and also did not dare say to his two friends the wonderful gift her friend had given to him. Albato died one day in his broken house all alone.

Perspective

May be you were saying the story is not over. But it is finished. Perhaps you believe it did not finish well. But it actually did. The world is full of these events that are unfortunately happening. Several people have also lost their lives on this earth the same way our friend the architect did. But then, who is to be blamed for his death? No one actually, but his own character.

Albato was a prideful man. Despite the struggles he was going through he never said anything to his friend, only to preserve an image that was not real; while her friend all along was familiar with his situation. She did not want to injure Albato in his self-esteem; for this reason she has chosen to make him a surprise.

You must be vulnerable with those who love you, it is a sign of true love and confidence. If your friends have trouble giving you gifts, fearing your reaction, then you must question your presence in the relationship, if it is sincere and if you are really free to be who you are in front of them. Learn to receive from others with a true sincere heart and gratitude; for this is divine. There are people in this world who prefer to die rather than asking for help when they need it. It is pure blindness to live this way and it does not reflect God, because in reality it is God who gives us all things through others.

Pride was not the only murderer of Albato. His naivety was also part of it. He was victim of a naivety mixed with an unhealthy desire to please others rather than to do what is right in the eyes of God.

Moral Lesson

You can be a very intelligent person, full of talent, inspiration, and courage. If your character is not good, your destiny is a failure. What comes out of the character of man is a seed he sows in the active field of the universe. Your character is the tree of your destiny. Your destiny is the fruit of your character.

Biblical Scripture

"Make a tree is good, and its fruits will be good. Or corrupt the tree, and its fruits will also be corrupted. For the tree is known by its fruits." Matthew 12: 33.

The Poet disappointed

In a certain village where life is truly busy , lived a certain poet of the name of Merlin. Merlin's words were like the sun rising up in saddened souls to give them hope, and even provided physical healing to the sick. Some named Merlin “the healer of men”, and others “the magician of spirits”. Merlin was loved of all. He lived in an old abandoned church; and the place was always full of people to the overflow of the street; just because of simple poems from Merlin that have supernatural effect on souls.

But there is a mystery in the history of Merlin. No one has ever seen his face and he says his poems to the village only during the night. Merlin's poem were written nowhere. They descended directly from the heaven into his soul. Merlin drank in an unimaginable source of inspiration. Painters, sculptors, and musicians, who were losing their inspiration, just by listening to the poems of Merlin, said that they felt in them the heat of a flame soft and intense, which compels them immediately to do their work with a great beauty.

The women of the village covered Merlin's steps while he passed by with jasmines and chrysanthemums. They begged him for ten years to show them his face, but were unsuccessful. Merlin lived alone. He held the secret of his face all alone. No one knew his family because Merlin appeared just in the village as a solitary pilgrim. He loved it and then remained. Because of his beautiful voice, many suspected a great beauty behind the mask that he was always wearing.

Then one day, a misfortune happened to Merlin. He lost his voice. Merlin stayed for days all alone in his church without seeing the sunlight. The village was complaining about his situation. Many fall back into their habitual sadness, discouragement, depression, and other forms of negative emotions, without the help of Merlin to meet these challenges. Souls were suffering greatly. Artists and musicians can no longer do their works with the same affinity that only the voice of Merlin could produce in them. The village was in total chaos without the poems of Merlin.

But what was strange, it is the fact that, while Merlin suffered in himself because of his voice, flowers were no longer thrown on his passage. Nobody, when he walked by in the street, dares to honor him like usual. All these saddened him more. Then one day, the village became very angry at Merlin's anger and decided to go to the old church to take off his mask and treat his voice.

While the village was meeting to “cook” the plan, and that it was requested of those who would like to give their opinion on the idea, the beggar of the village, that all called ``Ugly face.» , for which no one had respect even children, spoke and addressed to the crowd a very ingenious idea: ``Hang, let us not go now, not during the day. We must pay him this visit during the night, since only in the nights he preferred to say his poems to us. In this way, when he sees us coming, he will not suspect anything and flee. He would think rather that we have come with a friendly heart. The night came, and the entire village was moving up towards the old church. They sought everywhere, but can't find anywhere Merlin. It reality, Merlin was the beggar of the village who used to dress differently at night just to taste a little love from the same people that have no respect for him. This beggar always moves around with the following message hanging over his neck: 'Do people love you for what you are, or for what you can give them. If you have nothing, would you find one soul in this world to love you?''

Perspective

Do you believe that the villagers wanted to heal the voice of the poet Merlin because they loved? Not at all. They wanted to do it for themselves, since they need him. The villagers didn't really love Merlin. They loved rather his gifts and what this gift can produce for them. Think about it, the unfortunate experience of Merlin, which he actually faked, is the proof.

It is his voice that the village needs, not himself. Look around you and tell me those who really you love. Are you sure that it is perhaps your physical beauty that they love? Is it not perhaps your social position? Is it not maybe your money? The truth is, most people loves us for themselves. The day you'll lose all that they want from you, just as the poor beggar or the ugly face; only on that day, you will know who are those who love you for who you are. Few people love us in this world of a true love. It is even a mistake to ask those who love you why they love you, because the true love has no other reason than to just love. Love has only one name: God. To love really means to see God in the other person, because man is created in the image and likeness of God. Man despises his brother forgetting that his brother is God disguised in a human body. In the night of our ignorance we miss to see God in each other.

Moral Lesson

Do not cling to man's egocentric love, but to the true love which seeks nothing in return, which expresses itself through sincere selflessness. The only way you can experience this love, is to love God in others. Because if you like in your brother only that which is eternal, then your love will be eternal and forgiveness of offenses easier. But if you like in your brother that which is temporary like the voice of Merlin, then your love is also temporary and forgiveness of offenses almost impossible.

Bible Scripture

'If someone said: 'I love God' and he hates his brother, it is a liar. He who does not love his brother that he sees, cannot love God that he does not see" 1 John 4: 20. Because in truth, the God that he says that he loves abides in his brother.

WRITTEN BY ALAIN YAOVI M DAGBA

Two pilgrims and the city of gold

Two pilgrims by the blessing of their master, set themselves on a journey towards a certain miraculous city called the city of gold. Since the two pilgrims were suffering from serious diseases, and the rivers of the city of gold were known for their healing power; their master judged it right to give them this good favor.

Before leaving, the master of our two pilgrims gave them three coded instructions: 1-Read and obey signs. 2-You will cross two bridges. 3-Your magic stick will be your key to enter the city of gold. The master handed each his magic stick, then they left his presence.

After a first long walk, our two companions arrived at a river which required their crossing. The sign posted at the edge of this river said: "Put a magic stick in the water and a bridge will appear before you to cross the river." The sign was clear and present no area of shadow. The two pilgrims recalled the instructions of their master: 1-Read and obey signs. 2-You will cross two bridges. 3-Your magic stick will be your key to enter the city of gold.

Then one of the two, the one called Sébastien advanced the following idea: «If I throw my stick in the water, both you and I will join the other side of the river; but with what will I enter in the city of gold and find healing?'' The second, which is named Bastien said: ``There are two rivers to cross according to the instructions of our master. Throw your wand (magic stick) in the water and help us cross this river. When we will be before the second river, it will then be my turn. For our entry in the city of gold, do not worry. Let God worry about that."

dissatisfied, and suspecting the proposal of Bastien as a trap, Sébastien said: ``I prefer to die of my illness than to follow your council. You go ahead first, cast your wand in the water, and I will do it the next time." Without delay, Bastien casts his wand in the water. Suddenly, a giant bridge appears before them, and both pilgrims cross the river.

After a second long walk, since what we fear we end up meeting, here is our two friends before the second river of a greater size and more impressive than the first. The same sign was posted. "Now it is your turn to cast your wand!" Bastien spoke. Sébastien was silent for a moment, and then replied: ``I cannot. I do not feel well in this case. If I lose my wand like you, how would I enter the city of gold to find healing?'' Bastien replied: "To arrive at the city of gold, you must first cross this river, and the only way to do so is to lose your wand for the good of the two of us. Do what we need at this hour, the following day will take care of itself; because a good deed is never lost."

Sébastien, sadly, looking in the eyes of his brother, throw himself on the ground and said: ``I cannot do it. I do not have the heart and the faith you have. I am afraid of what will happen tomorrow, and I have no power to do what I know is right in the present moment. My friend, let us lay here, at this river and die of our disease. Since we can no longer return home, stuck between the two rivers which require an act of my part, leave me with my wand as my only souvenir before the death."

Finding it impossible to convince his companion to do what is good, Bastien stayed with Sébastien at the edge of the river. Both being tired, fall asleep waiting for death. During his sleep, Bastien dreamed of an angel which came the take him in his arms to cross the river. The next day, while the sun rose upon our pilgrims, Sébastien turned his head and found not Bastien. On the other side, Bastien was surprised also of not seeing his friend next to him. All two stood up with Bastien who was at the other side of the river. Only then, Bastien realized that his dream was not an illusion. He cried out to his friend: «I have told you, a good deed is never lost. During the night, an angel of God took me to this side of the river. Now, throw your wand in the water and join me." Surprisingly, all the old arguments of Sébastien disappeared. He threw his magic stick in the water and then crossed the river to join his companion on the other side.

After a third long walk, our two pilgrims arrived before the gate of the city of gold. At the door were posted two angels. These angels speak simultaneously. They asked our two friends: ``Show your sticks and enter the city." Sébastien immediately spoke: “I knew it. I had told him that without our sticks our entry in the city would be impossible. He has convinced me by his misleading words and by magic tricks to cast my wand in the river, and I made the same mistake as him. Please, let me enter in the city, because this is not my fault if I lost my wand."

The angels replied ``My friend Sébastien, enter the city of gold, you do not need your physical wand but a spiritual wand. The real pilgrims walk with a wand in their heart, it is the wand of love. Tell us a single good deed that you have been able to do during your journey to this place and this will be your key to enter the city." Sébastien searched in his heart and found no wand of love. When Bastien turn came to speak, he answered to the angels: «During our journey, when we were before the first river, I have sacrificed my wand to enable both of us to cross the river. I have done because my love for my friend was stronger than my fear of not be cured of my disease”

“Enter peacefully in the city gold," said the angels to Bastien, “and find your healing in the holy rivers''. While Bastien entering the city by the order of the angels, he said to his friend: «I have told you before, that a good deed is never lost. The fear of tomorrow makes you forget the grace of the present. Learn to leave tomorrow's care for tomorrow, and tomorrow shall take care of itself, and continuously never fail to do good to others when you have the possibility''. There, at the gate of the city of gold, Sébastien remained and died of his illness on behalf of his own character.

Perspective

The two friends or pilgrims Sébastien and Bastien are located in us: It is fear and faith. Fear is Sébastien. It prevents you from living in the present moment and serve others by means of a true love. Those who live in fear are also often egocentric. They think only about themselves. Sébastien, when it came to his own interest, threw his wand into the water. The rivers are the obstacles of life. Fear paralyzes your potential and your spirit of creativity before these obstacles. The angel who carried Bastien to the other side of the river, represents the good opportunities or blessings which manifests in the life of those who faith in doing good to others and do so. In time of trouble, opportunities arise to cause them to overcome difficult times. What you sacrifice to serve others, will open the doors of happiness (city of gold) for you, when you understand that your good deeds were never done to men but God in men.

Moral Lesson

A good deed is never lost. The fear of tomorrow makes you forget the grace of the present. Learn to leave tomorrow's care for tomorrow, and tomorrow shall take care of itself, and never stop doing good when you have the possibility.

Biblical Scripture

"Do not worry for your life, what you will eat, nor for your body of what you'll wear. Life is it not more than food and the body more than the clothes? Don't worry about tomorrow; because tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day, is its own trouble." Matthew 6: 25, and 34

Written By Alain Dagba