The story of the deaf frog

Father Tony Chakkunga

Once there lived many frogs in a large pond. They lived happily and at peace with each other. Occasionally, they used to engage themselves in some games. One day they decided to conduct a competition. Therefore, that afternoon, all the healthy frogs assembled at the centre of the pond, in which stood a high pole. The frogs were to climb the pole one at a time. Whoever reached the top of the pole would be declared winner and be honoured. The game started at the appointed time and the participants started trying their luck. The pole was slippery on account of rain and it was a difficult task to reach the top. After reaching certain heights the frogs started falling down, one by one. The main reason for the unsuccessful attempt was their fellow frogs. This was known only after the conclusion of the game, late in the evening. However, to the surprise, one frog could successfully reach the top of the pole! After conclusion of the game, journalist frogs came to interview the participants. The failed ones, all of them without exception, said they had the real zeal and spirit to win when they started the game but as they progressed climbing they heard words of discouragement from their friends. When they were jeered at with discouraging statements many of them lost their spirit of adventurism and fell down to the water miserably. Finally, when the winner frog was interviewed it was found this frog happened to be a deaf one. It did not hear any of the words of the bystanders or their criticisms. Therefore, it continued with its efforts, fully determined to win the race and thus with its faith and self confidence it could reach the top of the pole. The victorious frog in the story was not much different from the other frogs. However, it had one great disadvantage (we may call it advantage) that it was deaf. Every Christian should be deaf and blind to the allurements and temptations of this world for he is running a race against such evil forces and aiming to reach his goal that is the “victory prize of being put right with God.”(Timothy 4:6-8) In trying to do the “will of God” everybody and everything around will be detractions and negative forces against our goal. Giving weight to others’ opinion about us, their approval or applauses, our popularity or social standing, etc., will certainly go against our race. Similarly, if we look at others who are worldly wise, successful in life and be influenced by them, then we will be failures in our race. But, “our life is a matter of faith and not of sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith alone should guide us and nothing else. “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for. To be certain of the things, we cannot see.” It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval (Hebrews 11: 1-2). In Ephesians 5:1-2 St. Paul advices us that since you are God’s dear children, you must try to be like Him. We see how boldly the saints and pious people faced criticisms, discouragements, mockings and even physical assault apart from psychological and sociological ostracizing from even their own community members. But, as they were determined in their race to achieve success they depended only on the power of the Word, which says, “Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation because, it is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13). They were not bothered about their detractors and like our frog they were deaf and blind to this world’s attraction. They took seriously what St. Paul said, “Don’t be afraid of your enemies, always be courageous and this will prove to them that. They will lose and that you will win, because it is who gives you victory.” (Philippians 1:28). At the end of our earthly life each one of us should be able to say like St. Paul, “As for me, the hour has come for me to leave this life. I have done my best in the race; I have run the full distance and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right. With God, which the Lord the righteous Judge will give me on that day.” (Timothy 4:6-8). We should also be able to forgive, those who deserted us in our race like St. Paul. The victory prize, being our union with God, we must keep our lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what we have. God has said, “I will never leave you. I will never abandon you.” Let us be bold and say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me.” (Hebrews 13.5) In our race we sincerely try to be “joyful always; pray at all times; be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16)