Father Francis Spirago believed that examples and illustrations are essential in educating both children and the uneducated. They have the power to inspire and make lessons interesting. In today’s world, many religious manuals lack this engaging element, but we must be discerning in choosing examples, avoiding unlikely or ridiculous tales. The examples we provide are true, stripped of unnecessary details, and possess a character that uplifts. They showcase noble deeds worthy of emulation. Like the timeless parables of Our Lord, these examples retain their value even after being narrated. Sourced from various publications, they have been carefully adapted to serve their purpose.
The Stolen Horse at the Cattle Market
A farmer discovered that his prized horse had been taken from his stables one night. Unable to find the thief, he went to a nearby horse market in hopes of buying a replacement. To his surprise, he found his own horse there. Grabbing the halter, he exclaimed, “This beast is mine! It was stolen from me just three days ago.” The man offering the horse for sale insisted, “Sir, you are mistaken. I have possessed this animal for the past twelve months.” In a clever move, the farmer covered the horse’s eyes with his hands and challenged the man, saying, “If you’ve truly had him for a year, you can tell me which eye is blind.” The man confidently responded, “The left eye.” But the farmer countered, “No, you’re wrong. He is not blind in the left eye.” Removing his hands from the horse’s eyes, he declared, “Now you cannot deny that this horse is mine, stolen from me. Look, everyone!” Turning to the onlookers, he declared, “The horse is no more blind than I am.” Laughter and applause erupted from the crowd, and the thief was forced to give up the horse and was promptly sent to prison that very day.
Email Us
contact@catholicclutch.com