LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Two Foals
There is an allegory that shows the precious fruits of God's discipline. It is about two foals that were brothers. They enjoyed the outdoors running through the meadows. One day, both of them were branded and taken to the king's stables, where a strict period of discipline began. They had never thought there would be such a thing. Suddenly, one rebelled, and said: "This is not for me. I like my freedom, my green mountains, my streams of fresh water". One day he jumped over the wall of his confinement, and escaped.
Strangely, the trainer did nothing to bring him back. Rather, he set about training the one who was left behind. It was such effective training that the foal began to learn to obey his trainer's commands and slightest wishes. Finally, he was harnessed and attached to the king's chariot along with five other horses.
One day, the king's chariot, decked out, was driving down the royal road. The six horses had golden harnesses and golden bells on their legs. As they trotted along, the bells rang sweetly. From the top of a hill, a foal watched. When the chariot approached, he recognized his brother, and said: "Why have they honored my brother so much, and me they have despised? They have not put bells on my feet nor ornaments on my head. The master has not given me that wonderful responsibility of pulling his chariot; why my brother, and not I?". Then he heard a voice say to him: "Because he submitted to the will and discipline of his master, and you rebelled".
After this, there came a terrible drought. The small streams stopped flowing and the grasses dried up. There were only a few mud puddles here and there. The wild foal ran from place to place looking for something to eat and drink, but found nothing. He was weak, and his legs were shaking.
Suddenly he saw again the king's chariot coming down the road, and there was his brother again, strong and beautiful, with his golden robes! He drew strength from his weakness and cried out to him: "My brother, where did you find the food that has kept you so strong and robust in these days of famine? In my freedom, I have gone everywhere, looking for food, and I find nothing. Tell me, please! I must know!".
Then came his brother's reply, in a voice full of praise: "There is a secret place in my master's stables, where he feeds me from his own hand. His barns never run dry, and his well never runs dry". The tears of the wild colt were not enough to erase the bitterness in his heart.
So, we, we, have to lose our freedom, that ephemeral and vain freedom that man craves. We have to accept our Father's discipline, to be anointed in the King's chariot. What a great honor, that we can carry our own Master!