Many times people ponder the question what makes up a successful life? Mediating on this leads us to consider the essence of life. In the letter written to Christians living in present day Turkey, the apostle Peter gives them a list of things that make up a successful life. 2 Peter 1:5 -7 says ‘add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.’ Displaying all these attributes in your life shows forth a prosperous life. Patience is one attribute that is needed in all walks of life. A story is told about a thirteenth-century Prince called Llywelyn the Great of Wales who had a palace at Caernarvonshire in northwest Wales not far from Snowdon. The prince was a keen hunter and spent much of his time in the surrounding countryside. He had many hunting dogs but his favourite was called Gelert. One day, however, when he summoned them as usual with his horn to go hunting, his favourite dog Gelert didn’t appear, so regretfully Llywelyn had to go hunting without him. When Llywelyn returned from the hunt, he was greeted by Gelert who came bounding towards him but his jaws were dripping with blood. The prince was appalled and wondered where did this blood come from. He rushed into his home only to find the cradle of his one-year-old son overturned, and the walls spattered with blood! He quickly looked for the child but there was no sign of him. Llywelyn was convinced that his favourite hound had killed his son. Mad with grief he took his sword and plunged it into Gelert’s heart. As the dog howled in his death agony, Llywelyn heard a child’s cry coming from underneath the upturned cradle. It was his son, unharmed! Beside the child was an enormous wolf, dead, killed by the brave Gelert. The prince was struck with remorse and carried the body of his faithful dog outside the castle walls and buried him where everyone could see the grave of this brave animal and hear the story of his valiant fight with the wolf. If the prince had just practised a little patience and had made a comprehensive search, he may have found the wolf and his unharmed child before he had done anything rash. Patience is something we need to practice frequently whether in action or in word. Often people rush to speak only to find later that they have spoken amiss. Or like this story of the prince where his hasty action caused him the life of a faithful dog. Having control of one’s emotions is an excellent quality and one to be sought after. Being slow to react whether in angry or grief shows patience and control which leads to a successful life. Although few people attain it, it is something we should all seek after it.
P. Pilgrim pilgrimway101@yahoo.com
