A fable (with apologies to Aesop)
The Mouse Trappist
Among a tribe of devotional Church Mice, there once lived a Mouse called Mingloriosa. Although the Church Mice led a life of faith and poverty, Mingloriosa wanted to perfect himself further, and he discovered a brotherhood of Trappist monks, whose life was even more severe. This life appealed greatly to him, and he became a Trappist monk, taking the name of Brother Min.
He lived in harsh conditions, having only a small cell and very little food, but he became known for his holiness, and animals came to him from far and near, asking for his prayers and help.
Among these was a Lion. At first the Lion came merely for physical help. He had a thorn in his foot and Brother Min extracted it, and gave him some ointment to put on the wound. The Lion was very grateful, and said, “One day I may repay you.”
Brother Min concealed a smile when he heard the Lion say this, for what could this Lion do for him? All he wanted was his quiet cell and his life of prayer. Again and again the Lion got into trouble with his wild ways, and the Mouse had to come and rescue him.
One day as the Mouse was nibbling the rope to free the Lion from a trap that he had got into, the Lion said, “You are so good, so kind and helpful. I admire you so much. What makes you so unselfish?”
The Mouse considered and then said, “It is my vocation as a Trappist monk to help others. It is nothing.”
‘Well, said the Lion, I would like to do something for you, to show my gratitude.”
“There is nothing you can do for me.” said Brother Min.
“Then let me join the Trappist Monastery with you.” said the Lion. “And then I can learn to be like you and we can be Brothers together.”
“It is a very hard life.” warned the Mouse. “You may find it difficult.”
“If you, a little Mouse, can do it surely I, a great Lion , can do it!
So together the Lion and the Mouse walked back to the Monastery, and the Lion put on monk’s robes and became Brother Leo. Unfortunately, just as Brother Min had feared, Brother Leo was nothing but an embarrassment to him. He gobbled his food at mealtimes, he fell asleep and snored loudly during sermons, and worst of all, he would take off his monk’s robes sometimes at night, when he thought nobody was looking, and go out and roar and carouse in the jungle.
When he came back in the morning he was always very repentant, but at last the other Brothers complained to Brother Min about the Lion’s behaviour and told him that the new recruit would have to go. Because Brother Min had brought him, they said it was up to him to tell the Lion that he could stay there no longer.
So next morning when the Lion was sitting in his cell repenting of his wild party the night before, Brother Min came in, and told him that the brothers had decided he would have to leave. The Lion bowed his head. “I see I have only been a nuisance to you, Brother Min, he said. “I will go and never bother you again.”
He folded his robe and left the Monastery, giving Brother Min only one sad farewell look.
Brother Min went back to his cell, rejoicing that at last he was free of that Lion. He had been nothing but trouble. Every day Brother Min sat in his quiet cell, and thought about how he could become more holy. He made more and more efforts. He ate even less and lit candles and stayed up all night in prayer.
But gradually a strange feeling began to creep over him. To his surprise, he missed the Lion. There were no more interesting stories from the other monks about the Lion’s bad behaviour. These stories had always made the Mouse feel comfortably superior. Now he felt he was no better than any of the other monks.
The Mouse had secretly enjoyed helping the Lion, although he had pretended it was nothing but a nuisance. He began to remember the Lion’s affection for him. He began to be haunted by that last sad farewell look the Lion had given him. He looked round at the four blank walls of his cell and thought that they were only like dark mirrors, reflecting his own spiritual pride. Who was he to think he was better than the Lion? Pan had created them both with different natures, that was all.
At last one day he went to his Superior and obtained leave of absence to go out in the world and find the Lion. He visited all the places that the Lion used to frequent and at last after many days, he found the Lion in a cave. The Lion had been shot and he was dying. The Mouse knelt by his bedside and did everything he could for him, but it was of no use.
“Ah! “ gasped the Lion, “I have wanted so much to do something for you, and you have always been the giver. And now I am dying and still you are giving – looking after me now.” And his eyes were bright with unshed tears.
The Mouse’s heart was wrung. “Don’t say that!” he begged. You have given me more than I can ever repay. I sat in my narrow cell, in a selfish wish to be perfect and in judgement of others. It was your humility and love that showed me my pride and lack of feeling.”
The Lion was touched. “But I have been so bad,” he said,” I broke all the rules…”
“You had a different nature,” said the Mouse, “That was all. I should have appreciated your wildness, your love of life, your animal spirits…” his voice broke a little as he said, “I should have appreciated your friendship. And now it is too late.”
The Lion touched the Mouse lightly with his paw. “It is never too late.” he said. “I will take your friendship with me, where I am going.” and then his paw dropped, never to be lifted again.
The Mouse stayed for a long while in prayer. Then he turned and went out of the cave and walked the Earth, helping and loving all the creatures he met on his way.