A Gentle Thunder - Hearing God Through the Storm by Max Lucado

Author:Max Lucado
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-01-03T16:45:32+00:00

Inside Out

Born Once or Born Twice?

Two sons OF the king brought their father a question. “Is a gentleman born or made?”

“What do you think? he replied.

“I think a gentleman is born a gentleman,” replied one son.

“I disagree,” replied the other. “A man becomes a gentleman by training and discipline.”

The king looked at his sons and issued a challenge. “Prove your case by presenting me an example. I give each of you a week to return with proof of your opinions.”

And so the two sons departed in different directions. The son who believed a gentleman was made, not born, found his proof in a tavern. He’d ordered a cup of tea and was amazed when he saw that the waiter was a cat. This cat had been trained to stand on his hind legs and carry the tray in his forepaws. He wore a tiny uniform and hat and was proof that a creature could overcome his nature with training and discipline.

The first son had his example. If a cat can be changed, couldn’t a man? So the prince purchased the animal and took him to the court.

The other son was not so fortunate. He’d searched the kingdom but was unable to find any support for his theory. He returned home empty-handed. What’s worse, word had leaked about his brother’s discovery. News of the walking cat made him doubt his convictions. But then, just hours before the two were to appear before the king, he saw something in a store window that made him smile.

He made the purchase but told no one.

The two sons entered the court of the king, each one carrying a box. The first son announced that he could prove that a man could overcome any obstacle and become a gentleman. As the king watched, the son presented the cat, dressed in miniature court dress, who gave the king a tray of chocolates.

The king was stunned, his son was proud, and the court broke into applause. What excellent proof! Who could deny the evidence of the walking cat? Everyone pitied the second son. But he was not discouraged. With a bow to the king, he opened the box he had brought, releasing several mice into the court. Instantly the cat scampered after the mice.

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