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One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets, other times there was only one.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
When suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could only see one set of prints.
So I said to the Lord:
"You promised me my Lord,
That if I followed thee,
You would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of prints in the sand.
Why, dear Lord, when you were needed the most, have you not been there for me?"
The Lord replied:
"Ah, but the years when you have only seen one pair of footprints, my dear son - that's when I was carrying you."
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Two monks, wandering through the woods, came upon a beautiful courtesan by a flooded stream. As they'd sworn vows of celibacy, the younger man ignored her and went off across the torrent.
Upon seeing that the weepy woman could not safely ford it herself, the older man lifted her in his arms, went over it too, and lowered her onto the bank opposite.
She smiled her thanks and set off.
The young man seethed inwardly. How could he? Did his vows mean nothing? Yet his 'wise' friend seemed to show no remorse. Eerie!
Finally, he could stand it no more. Eye-to-eye, he wept, "O, how could thee forfeit thy belief, thy sincerity; where is thy piety?"
The older man seemed a little surprised at this ire, then smiled, with a softness of spirit in his wise eyes.
"A fool, am I? But I'm no longer carrying her, my boy... Are YOU?"
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