Anecdotes of Father Santan Pinto, SOLT

The Bug that Smiled

The drought was widespread. All animals and insects were on the move. There was a fire in a nearby forest. That triggered a stampede. Survival was the driving force for all of creation. The strong pounded their way through the land. The little one, animals and insects were left behind.

In a hidden world underground a little bug was initiated into adulthood. All the elders were present. This was a great day for the parents. For on this day the tribe would give a name to this bug that had come of age. There was something peculiar about this bug. It always smiled. The parents recalled how this bug would be happy whatever the situation was. In every gathering it was the light of the party. So many other bugs would come to visit this bug. There was something in this bug and none knew what it was. Yet everyone was attracted to it. All those who ever came in contact with this bug left happy, smiling, and filled with a new burst of energy.

The head bug took the stand. The elders sat down and so did the rest of the gathering. The proceedings began. The elders heard the witnesses recall what the bug had done and how it was grown up to its place in the adult world. The elders were surprised that on such a serious occasion like this, this bug was happy, smiling, and excited. Just that moment the stampede was heard. The elder quickly said, “His name will be Smiley”, because he seems to smile a great deal. And the meeting came to an abrupt end. All ran into their holes to take shelter and fear spread into the under-world. Smiley however ventured into the outside. He was waiting for this moment when he would see the world, smell the fresh air, and eat some fresh grass.

From the sky dove an eagle and picked Smiley up. Smiley did not know what this was all about. So as usual he began to introduce himself to the eagle. He said, “Sir, I am Smiley, and this is my first day. I am so happy to be out here in this great world of ours. Thanks for the ride it is great of you to take this little insignificant bug on this fabulous ride!” Addressing his dinner called Smiley the eagle replied in astonishment, “You are an optimist. Do you know who you are and who I am? If you knew me you would be begging for your life. I am about to share you with my starving kids.” “Oh, how good that sounds” replied Smiley “it would certainly give me great joy to meet your little ones”. The eagle thought to himself, “This bug is a dreamer and a nutty one at that.” No sooner this thought passed the eagle’s mind; she saw that its little ones were being attacked by snakes and in the background was a hungry wolf waiting for the outcome. Smiley summed up the situation in a brief moment and thought of action. He said to the eagle, “Drop me near your nest and I will take care of your little ones”. Shocked at this request the eagle did what was asked by Smiley. On landing on the ground the snakes were excited about the possibility of this tasty dinner, a fresh adult bug! Smiley led the snakes away from the eagle’s nest. The wolf unaware of his situation left his hiding place to attack the baby eagles. What he did not see was the fact that the mother eagle was within striking distance. As if some unforeseen force was guiding their destiny the eagle gripped the wolf and lifted him up a few hundred feet. The wolf fell down and in an instant became food for the hungry eagles and the snakes. Smiley hopped up to the dinner party. None showed any interest in Smiley. The snakes and the eagle family took Smiley to be their friend. Somehow once again Smiley had worked his magic upon these enemies. They became friends and watched for one another’s welfare.

One evening Smiley took a little hike to check out the mountain. He was standing on a ledge taking in the scenery below. All of a sudden a strong gush of wind picked Smiley off his feet. Soon he was air borne and taken a long distance away. After being tossed in the wind for a considerable amount of time, Smiley was dropped into a farm.

John and his wife Elizabeth were young farmers. They had no children and were starting a new farm. They had a few pigs, goats, some sheep, and some cattle. Smiley went around the farm trying to introduce himself to the animals. None of them paid attention to him. He was a stranger and the animals were all trying to get used to their new masters. Smiley did not know that all these animals were there to be killed one day, or sold to some one else who would do the killing. He did not imagine that humans would eat the meat of these innocent animals.

Yet the animals found Smiley a funny and a rare bug - one that smiled. The little ones made friends with Smiley when the adults weren’t around. Whenever they had Smiley around none of them fought. Smiley taught the little animals how to share and care for one another.

One night some men came in a truck and were trying to rob the farm animals. They had a large truck and parked it on the farm road some distance away. Smiley saw the situation and knew that the only way to save his friends was to go and wake up John. When Smiley made his way into the bedroom Elizabeth screamed on seeing this bug. John looked at it in a strange way. He was about to pick Smiley when Smiley made a quick dash at the window. He began tapping the window frantically. John came to see what the bug was trying to do. He thought to himself, “This bug is clever, he wants me to open the window, so that he could fly out into the open.” As he opened the window he saw the men trying to gather the animals. John hurried to wake his wife and they both with guns in their hands apprehended the thieves. The Sheriff showed within a short while and took the men to the country prison. That day Smiley was acclaimed as a hero. Before John went to sleep he peeked into the barn and was amazed. For Smiley was the center of attraction and all the farm animals were thanking him for saving them from being robbed. John went to his special garden and picked some fresh lettuce leaves and open the barn door threw the leaves in the direction of Smiley saying, “This is little thanks to you Bug”!

With a few months Smiley’s fame spread throughout the land. Everyone came from long distances to meet Smiley and learn from him the secret to live a happy life. The news traveled to the bugs of Smiley’s family. It was at that time when the Eagle after having searched for a long time for Smiley had picked a Squirrel. Th Squirrel a talkative one started speaking about this bug all called Smiley. The eagle asked where she could find this bug. The squirrel agreed to show the place. Within a few minutes the eagle landed where Smiley was, surrounded by many animals, birds, and insects. Smiley was ecstatic on seeking his winged friend. He introduced his friend the eagle to all. The eagle took Smiley back to his home. The adult bugs were reluctant to give Smiley a great welcome. The young bugs surrounded Smiley and from that day onwards he became their hero. Smiley would leave the underworld everyday to meet the animals, birds, and insects that would queue up to talk to him.

God in His great wisdom had revealed to the little ones like Smiley the mysteries of the kingdom. For through Smiley God taught all those who came into contact with him, how to love everyone and treat everyone as family.

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