The master was going on a long journey. He left three servants in charge of three of his beloved furry friends. Each servant was to make sure their master’s friends were given the care they deserved. In return for caring for his friends, the master told them they would have the wondrous experience of walking down the path of life with a true friend who would offer them unconditional love. They would be accepted for who they were and there would be no record of their failures. They would stand by them in prosperity and poverty. They would kiss their hands even though the servants might have no food to offer. They would comfort them in the wounds of daily life. They would be watching and waiting for them to come home from a hard day’s labor. They would guard them as though they were princes. When other friends deserted them, the furry friends would always be laying at their feet waiting to offer comfort.
But In return for this wonderful love, the three servants had the responsibility of taking care of the special needs of his friends. The servants would be required to nurture them with the love and care they would need. This care would take time, patience and love on the servant’s part.
After giving his instructions, The master said, “Take good care of my friends. They are very important to me. I will return someday to take them home.
The first servant took the master’s friend and immediately became impatient with him, because he chewed his shoe and barked too much. He planted kisses on his guests. He required food and fresh water daily. The servant also had to take time out of his day to walk with his friend. So the servant decided….this friendship business requires too much of my time. I’ll just put the friend outside. He’ll be okay. But the servant forgot about his friend. He left him out in the cold winds. He didn’t remember to give him food and his water bowl was empty most of the time. The furry friend became sick and died.
The second servant was excited by this new friend for a time. He let him lay beside his chair while he rested. He remembered to give him food and water. He actually enjoyed his company and playful antics, but over time, the second servant grew tired of the time required for caring for this special friend. He had other more important things to do with his life. He had places to go and things to do and didn’t have time to spend with this special friend of the Master’s. He forgot to feed him and give him water. He forgot to make sure the friend was properly sheltered. One day, the door was open and the furry friend ran away.
The third servant remembered what the master’s instructions were. He took special care of this friend and discovered the truth of what the master said. The furry friend did offer unconditional love. He was waiting for him when he came home with kisses and a wagging tail, He kept no record of the servant’s failures. He accepted him just as the person he was. He did indeed guard him as though he were a prince. He stayed by his side when his friends deserted him. He was the servant’s one true friend in the daily trials of life.
When the master returned, he discovered the first servant has not taken care of his special friend. He had put him out in the cold winds and allowed him to starve to death.
The second servant had taken care of his friend for a short time, but then became interested in worldly things and had let his friend run away.
The third servant had followed his Master’s orders and had taken good care of his friend. He understood the meaning of a true friend and how one must nurture that special friendship to receive the wondrous love and peace in return.
The master dismissed the first two servants, but then he came to the third servant and said. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have taken good care of my beloved friend. You understand what true friendship means. Tonight, you will be welcomed into my house and you may bring my furry friend with you because he is your friend as well.
By J. Swann
