the prayer of the frog

[Guest guest]

namaste.

 

The book by title "Prayer of the frog" by Anthony de Mello is an

excellent collection of short stories/anecdotes, which, when reflected

upon, have profound truth behind them. The book is published by Gujarat

Sahitya Prakasha, from Anand, India and is in two volumes. I was told

the book is currently out of print.

 

I will be posting some short stories/events out of these volumes which

I hope the List-members will find interesting for reflection on the

thought behind the stories.

 

Regards

Gummuluru Murthy

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GRACE

 

A priest was sitting at his desk by the window composing a sermon

on Providence when he heard something that sounded like an explosion.

Soon he saw people running to and fro in panic and discovered that

a dam had burst, the river was in spate and the people were being

evacuated.

 

The priest saw the water begin to rise in the street below. He had

some difficulty suppressing his own rising sense of panic but he said

to himslef, "Here I am preparing a sermon about Providence and I am

being given an occasion to practise what I preach. I shall not flee

with the rest. I shall stay right here and trust in the providence

of God to save me."

 

By the time the water reached his window a boat full of peole came

by. "Jump in, Father," they shouted. "Ah no, my children," said Father

confidently. "I trust in the providence of God to save me."

 

Father did climb to the roof, however, and when the water got up there

another boatload of people went by, urging Father to join them. Again

he refused.

 

This time he climbed to the top of the bellfry. When the water came

up to his knees an officer in a motorboat was sent to rescue him.

"No thank you, officer," said Father, with a calm smile. "I trust

in God, you see. He will never let me down."

 

When Father drowned and went to heaven the first thing he did was to

complain to God. "I trusted you! Why did you do nothing to save me?"

 

"Well," said God. "I did send three boats, you know."

 

 

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