One day a young man was walking along an isolated road when he 
heard something like a crying sound. He couldn't tell for sure 
what the sound was but it seemed to be coming from underneath a 
bridge. As he approached the bridge, the sound got louder and 
then he saw a pathetic sight. There, lying in the muddy river 
bed, was a puppy about two months old. It had a gash on its head 
and was covered with mud. Its front legs were swollen where they 
had been tightly bound with cords.

The young man was immediately moved with compassion and wanted to 
help the dog, but as he approached, the crying stopped and the dog 
snarled his lip and started to growl. But the young man did not 
give up. He sat down and started gently talking to the dog. It 
took a long time but eventually the dog stopped growling and the 
man was able to inch forward and eventually touch the dog and begin 
unwrapping the tightly bound cord. The young man carried the dog 
home, cared for its wounds, gave it food and water and a warm bed. 
Even with all of this, the dog continued to snarl and growl every 
time the young man approached. But the young man did not give up.

Weeks went by and the man continued caring for the puppy. Then one 
day, as the young man approached, the dog wagged its tail. 

Consistent love and kindness had won and a lifelong friendship of 
loyalty and trust began.

By Alice Gray


Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the 
proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." NIV