Tuesday, February 19, 2013

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 dry bushes caught fire and the fire was sure to spread all around the forest. The animals fled to safer places. 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. He was extremely happy to get the affectionate company of several friends. He marched through the forest, carrying several small animals and birds on his back.
                    Joseph Addison said, "Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief."
                    The Bible teaches, "Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share trouble?... A loyal friend is like a medicine that keeps you in good health....The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them."
                     A true friend is one who knows all about you and still loves you. 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.
"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.
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© 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, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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