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How many of you – Young or not so young – Made some resolution this year? Did you sit on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day with a pencil and paper, or with computer or blackberry and write down one or two or three things you want to accomplish this year: lose ten pounds, read ten new books, visit ten new places. Often we resolve to do something that will help us become better people – in body, mind, and spirit. Let me tell you a story of someone who desired to become a better person… There once was a young boy named Nikolai who sometimes felt unsure about the right way to act in his life. “I want to be a good person,” He told his friends. “But I don’t always know the best way to do that.” Now Nikolai’s friends were a bit unusual with unusual names: They were a heron – a big white bird named Sonya; A monkey – Gogol was his name – is a bit on the smaller side, but very active, And a dog – called Pushkin – was a large, brown and white mutt who kept an eye on everything. Nikolai’s friends understood and they wanted to help him. “If only I could find the answers to my three questions,” Nikolai thought, “then I would always know what to do.” So Nikolai asked his friends three questions: What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? So Nikolai’s friends thought about his first question. Sonya, the heron, spoke first. “To know the best time to do things, You must plan in advance.” Gogol, the monkey, paused from his activity of searching for food, and spoke clearly: “You will know when to do things if you watch and pay close attention.” Then Pushkin, just dozing off, rolled over and said: “You can’t pay attention to everything yourself. You need a pack to keep watch and help you decide when to do things. For example, Gogol, a coconut is about to fall on your head!” Nikolai waded through the water of the river, thinking. Then he asked his second question: “Who is the most important one?” Again Sonya spoke first, “Those who are closest to heaven,” said Sonya, Circling up into the sky. “Those who know how to heal the sick, said Gogol, Stroking his bruised and throbbing head. “Those who make the rules,” growled Pushkin. Nikolai thought some more. Then he asked the third question. “What is the right thing to do?” “Flying!” said Sonya. “Having fun all the time,” laughed Gogol. “Fighting!” barked Pushkin right away. Then the boy thought for a long, long while. He loved his friends – He loved them a lot. He knew they were trying their best to help him answer his questions, Helping him become a better person. But their answers just didn’t seem quite right. Then, an idea came to him! I know! He thought. I will also Leo, the turtle. Leo has lived a very long time. Surely he will know the answers I am looking for. So Nikolai hiked high, high, up into the mountains where the old turtle lived all alone. When Nickolai arrived at the top, Leo was digging a garden. The turtle was old, and digging was hard for him. “I have three questions and I came to ask your help to become a better person,” Nikolai said. “When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?” Leo listened carefully, But he only smiled. Then he went on with his digging. “You must be tired,” Nikolai said at last. “Let me help you.” The turtle gave him his shovel and thanked him. And because it was easier for a young boy to dig than it was an old turtle, Nikolai kept on digging until all the rows were finished. And just as he finished, The wind blew wildly and rain burst from darkened clouds. Nikolai and the turtle moved toward turtle’s cottage for shelter. Suddenly, Nikolai heard a cry for help. He turned toward the cry and ran down the path. There he found a panda whose leg was injured by a falling tree. Carefully, ever so carefully, Nikolai picked up the panda, Carried her into Leo’s cottage, And made a splint for her leg with a stick of bamboo. Soon the panda was fast asleep. The storm raged on. The winds blew, and the rain pelted the doors and windows. The panda woke up. “Where am I?” she said. “And where is my child?” Nikolai knew what he had to do. He ran out of the cottage and down the path again. He pushed against the howling wind and the drenching rain, And went deeper into the forest. There he found the panda’s child, Cold and shivering on the ground. Carefully, ever so carefully, Nikolai picked up the wet and scared little panda And carried her inside Leo’s cottage. He made her warm and dry, And put her in her mother’s arms. Leo smiled when he saw what Nikolai had done. He brought Nikolai a blanket and a hot cup of tea. That night, safe and dry and warm, Everyone rested well. The next morning the sun was warm, The birds sang, And all was well with the world. The panda’s leg was healing nicely, and she thanked Nikolai for saving her and her baby from the storm. At that moment, Sonya, Gogol, and Pushkin arrived to make sure everyone was all right. Nikolai felt great peace within himself. He had wonderful friends. And he had saved the panda and her child. But he also felt disappointed. He still had not found the answers to his three questions, And how to become a better person. So he asked Leo one more time. What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? The old turtle looked at the boy. “But your questions have been answered!” Leo told Nikolai. “They have?” asked the boy. “Yes,” Leo said. “Yesterday, if you had not stayed to help me dig my garden, You wouldn’t have heard the panda’s cries for help in the storm. Therefore, the best time was the time you spent digging in the garden. The most important one at that moment was me, And the most important thing to do was to help me with my garden. Later, when you found the injured panda, The most important time was the time you spent mending her leg and saving her child. The most important ones were the panda and her baby. And the most important thing to do was to take care of them and make them safe. Remember, then, that there is only one important time, And that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side. For these, my dear boy, Are the answers to what is most important in this world, And the answers on how to be a good person. This is why we are here.” Friends, Our Scripture tells us that God makes a new thing: A new heavens, a new earth, a new city… God makes a new year, a new day, a new moment. Perhaps this year, our New Year’s Resolution can be a New Year’s Revelation: to pray that God will open our eyes, our hearts, our minds to be present in each new moment to the important time, the important people, and the important good that is to be done. Amen and amen. (Today’s story is a retelling of “The Three Questions: Based on a Story by Leo Tolstoy,” a book written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth) |