Author Darlene J. Conard

I read an old fable about a donkey and a tiger engaged in a heated debate in a jungle. The donkey insisted that the grass was blue, while the tiger adamantly argued that it was green. Unable to settle their disagreement, they decided to bring their dispute to the jungle king.

The donkey approached the lion, who was the king, and asked if it was true that the grass was blue. To the donkey’s satisfaction, the lion affirmed that the grass was blue. The donkey then implored the lion to punish the tiger for contradicting and annoying him, to which the king agreed and sentenced the tiger to five years of silence.

The donkey, overjoyed by the outcome, happily went on his way, while the tiger accepted his punishment. Before departing, the tiger approached the lion and questioned why he was being punished, asserting that the grass was, in fact, green. Surprisingly, the lion acknowledged that the grass was green but explained that the punishment was not about the color of the grass. The lion emphasized that it was a waste of time for the tiger, a brave and intelligent creature, to engage in arguments with the donkey, who was not concerned with truth or reality. The lion used this as a lesson for the tiger that time is wasted by arguing with those who are not receptive to reason.

The story’s moral resonated deeply with me, reminding me of a biblical verse from Matthew 7:6 KJV, “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” This served as a powerful lesson, highlighting the futility of trying to convince those who are deeply entrenched in their beliefs, even if those beliefs are far from the truth. It is reminiscent of Proverbs 14:15 KJV, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going,” and Proverbs 14:18 KJV, “The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”

Reflecting on this, I have learned the importance of discerning when to remain silent. It has become evident to me that God is our ultimate defender, and by staying rooted in Christ and truth, illusions and false beliefs will not prevail.

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