The typical Red Fox living in an ordinary forest is a little creature, about the size of a small dog, having white and red, or dark brown fur, and a fluffy tail that is equal in length to their body. The most significant feature by far is their tail, which can grow to be very long and full of thick beautiful fur, standing out like the feathers of a peacock in bloom. Mr. Fox lived in a common forest, but he was not the typical fox, for his tail was grander than all others, full of red and white fur and longer that any animal in the forest had ever seen. He preened his tail daily, so everyone would notice how beautiful it was as he trotted through the forest, waving his tail high in the sky.
There is a stream that winds its way through the forest where Mr. Fox lives, home to many fish and frogs. One of the fish is an 18 inch long Rainbow Trout. This species of trout is known for the amazing array of colors on its scales; bright streaks of red, yellow and orange surrounded with black dots from head to tail. Mr. Rainbow, as he likes to be called, is a beautiful and majestic creature; if you meet him just ask and he will tell you so.
One sunny day Mr. Fox was walking, no more like prancing, through the forest with his tail held high, when he decided to go to the wide spot in the stream, where the water is deep and moves slower. On a calm day and when the sun is in the right place in the sky, you can see your reflection in the water as good as with any mirror in the finest home. Mr. Fox frequented that place. Mr. Rainbow liked that place in the river too, for there he could jump high out of the water, and the other animals in the forest could gaze upon his beauty.
So, as you would expect to happen, both Mr. Fox and Mr. Rainbow arrived at the wide, clear spot in the river at the same time. Just as Mr. Fox was admiring his brilliant, brightly colored tail, Mr. Rainbow jumped high in the air, rippling the water as he splashed and blurring the beautiful image of his tail.
“Excuse me my dear fish, but your wild splashing is disturbing the calmness of the water. Do you mind stopping!” asked Mr. Fox in his most deliberate voice.
“My name, whoever you are, is Mr. Rainbow, named as I am sure even you can see for the beauty of my scales. Surely you can miss a few moments of gazing at yourself to look at real magnificence. Just look at my beautiful rainbow when I jump into the air.” Mr. Rainbow was feeling very full of himself today as jumped again, higher than ever.
“Well, well. How can you even compare a few fishy scales to my splendid fur? The water must be affecting your vision. My tail is the envy of all the animals in the forest!” Mr. Fox was not to be out done. He would show this fish a thing or two.
“Then you must not know many animals in the forest!” shouted Mr. Rainbow. (It really wasn’t very loud, but fish don’t have vocal chords so it was the best that he could muster). Then Mr. Rainbow dove deep, and launched himself far into the afternoon sky, knowing that his splash would shake the water for quite some time. As it turned out, Mr. Rainbow didn’t know everything that day. At the peak of his leap, when his scales shined like brightly colored lights on a starless night, a shadow crossed over Mr. Rainbow a moment before the Eagle struck. The trout was watching the changing expression on the fox and reacted with bitter surprise when the talons hit, grabbing Mr. Rainbow in a crushing vice as he was carried high into the sky. The water in the river was abnormally calm as Mr. Fox watched the cycle of life, featuring Mr. Rainbow and Mr. Eagle; play out in dramatic reality just a few feet from the shore. Fear, mixed with a sudden certainty of his vulnerability drenched the fox like a Midwest thunderstorm – so he ran. He ran as fast as he had ever run; jumping over fallen trees and boulders three times his size. The frightened fox created holes through the brush and thorns where none existed. Mr. Fox ran until he was home in his earthen den; sweaty, bleeding and dirty. His matted tail waited impatiently as Mr. Fox sat motionless, thinking of today’s events, and the fate of Mr. Rainbow.
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Beware of becoming preoccupied with showing yourself to others as amazing, or extraordinary, because if you are, they will know without you telling them; and besides, it is God who knows you the best, and He already thinks that you are exceptionally, wonderfully, one-of-a-kind, perfect!
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Psalm 10:4
In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.
On Christmas Eve of 1914 in a field in Western Europe, German and British soldiers sang Christmas songs, exchanged gifts of pudding, games, and simply enjoyed each other’s company for a short while. It was a cold and muddy place, but the miracle of Christmas sought them out, bringing happiness to most, if only for a moment. Because less than 36 hours after the Christmas truce had started, which had been suggested by Pope Benedict XV, the warring Armies of WWI resumed their horrifically bloody battle of the trenches, replacing songs with death, and laughter with tears.
