Untaian Kata Hati

Salam'alaik...

Apa khabar kalian? Mungkin antara kalian yang sudi mengikuti perkembangan blog dan penulis tertanya-tanya mengapa sudah lama penulis tidak menghasilkan penulisan sendiri. Bagi yang sering bersama-sama mungkin memahami kesibukan yang dihadapi penulis akhir-akhir ini.

Dalam kesibukan duniawi
Tercari erti hidup hakiki
Tujuan Hidup

Menjengah serata pelusuk
Cari Diri
yang kadang terasa dekat
dan kadang terasa juah

Kata Hamkha:
"Harus isi hati"
Kata Agung:
"Harus selalu muhasabah diri"
Kata aku:
"Harus kenal Diri"

Kenalkah aku pada Diri?

Andai kenal Diri
mengapa sering resah gelisah?
mengapa harus terbatas taqwa?
mengapa kurang zikir syukur?

Oh Diri,
tahukah Engkau aku mencariMu?
aku ingin lena dalam dakapan Cinta AgungMu
walau tahu hinanya diri
selalu meminta
tetapi kurang memberi

Teringat kisah Laskar Pelangi
"Hidup perlu memberi sebanyak-banyaknya,
bukan menerima sebanyak-banyaknya"

Teringat kisah Aku Terima Nikahnya
"Hidup pada memberi"

Terngiang moto PKPIM
"Hidup Biar Berjasa"

Aku akan terus memberi
namun aku tidak akan putus meminta

Kata Diri:
"Dan apabila hamba-hambaKu bertanya kepadamu tentang Aku, maka jawablah sesungguhnya Aku adalah dekat. Aku mengabulkan permohonan orang yang berdoa apabila ia memohon kepadaku, maka hendaklah mereka itu memenuhi segala perintahku dan hendaklah mereka beriman kepadaku, agar mereka selalu berada dalam kebenaran." (2:186)

Penulis mengajak kalian sama-sama membaiki diri. Koreksi kesalahan, penuhi kelompongan.
Ingatlah, sesungguhnya Allah itu dekat!

Reminder!

• Winners take chances.

Like everyone else, they fear failing. But they don't let the fears control them.

• Winners don't give up.

When life gets tough, they hang in until the going gets better.

• Winners are flexible.

They realize there is more than one ways and willing to try others.

• Winners know that they are not perfect.

They respect their weaknesses while making the most of their strength.

• Winners fall but they don't stay down.

They stubbornly refuse to let the fall keep them from climbing...

• Winners don't blame fate for their failures nor luck for their success.

They accept responsibility for their lives.

• Winners are positive thinkers who see good in all things.

From the ordinary, they make the extraordinary.

• Winners believe in the path they have chosen even when it's hard,

even when others can't see where they are going.

• Winners are patient.

They know a goal is as worthy as the effort that is required to achieve it.

• Winners are people like YOU!

They make this world a better place to be...

PMGK '09: "Mahasiswa Dinamik Penggerak Kejayaan"

Program Perkampungan Menara Gading Kebangsaan 2009 (PMGK) bertujuan melatih generasi mahasiswa agar bersifat dinamik dan progresif sebagai persediaan untuk kepimpinan negara pada masa akan datang. Hasrat ini dilaksanakan dengan meletakkan tradisi budaya ilmu sebagai pra-syarat penting ke arah pembinaan sahsiah yang unggul, pembentukan bangsa yang mapan dan pembinaan tamadun yang tinggi. Namun segalanya hanya dapat direalisasikan jika semua pihak membantu menggembleng tenaga menjayakannya.

Program PMGK 2009 yang dirancang oleh Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) dan Persatuan Pelajar Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (PPIWP) dengan anjuran bersama Kerajaan Negeri Selangor kali ini juga bertujuan untuk membantu mendedahkan kepada para pelajar tentang kehidupan di kampus serta memupuk sahsiah yang tinggi dengan memiliki matlamat yang jelas dan mampu untuk membangunkan diri, keluarga dan negara berlandaskan kefahaman dan penghayatan Islam yang syumul.

Objektif:

1. Mengubah paradigma para pelajar ke arah yang lebih positif seiring dengan arus pembangunan dan perkembangan intelektual pada hari ini.
2. Mendedahkan kepada para pelajar tentang kehidupan di kampus serta sistem pendidikannya.
3. Membantu para peserta dalam mengenali potensi diri seterusnya mampu membuat pilihan yang tepat mengenai kerjaya dan masa depan.
4. Menyemai satu idealisme bagi membudayakan ilmu dalam setiap tindakan dan perancangan.
5. Memberi satu bentuk latihan kepimpinan dan keperibadian Islam.
6. Memantapkan pembangunan diri dari aspek rohani, jasmani, emosi dan intelektual

Butiran:

Tarikh:
5 hingga 7 Jun 2009

Tempat:
Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, Gombak

Sasaran peserta:
1. Pelajar lepasan SPM, STPM & STAM 2008
2. Mahasiswa yang baharu berdaftar di
IPTA/IPTS, Kolej Matrikulasi atau
Pusat Asasi

Tema:
"Mahasiswa Dinamik Penggerak Kejayaan"

Hubungi kami:

1. Khairullah (013-222 9724)
2. Azimah (013-374 6380)

Sekretariat PKPIM Pusat, Lot 2965, Jalan Kampung Tengah 7, Kampung Tengah, Batu 6 1/2, Jalan Gombak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-6184 2286
Faks: 03-6184 2285
Emel: pkpim_spp@yahoo.com

Maklumat lanjut: http://pmgk2009.blogspot.com/

Wanita Ulung Dijamin Syurga

Dia seorang wanita keturunan bangsawan dari kabilah Anshar suku Khazraj memiliki sifat keibuan dan berwajah manis menawan. Selain itu ia juga berotak cerdas penuh kehati-hatian dalam bersikap, dewasa dan berakhlak mulia, sehingga dengan sifat-sifatnya yang istimewa itulah pamannya yang bernama Malik bin Nadhar melirik dan mempersuntingnya. Rumaisha Ummu Sulaim binti Milhan bin Khalid bin Zaid bin Malik adalah satu dari wanita saliha yang memiliki kedudukan istimewa di mata Rasulullah.

Pada saat Rasulullah menyerukan dakwah menuju tauhid, tanpa keraguan lagi Ummu Sulaim langsung memeluk agama Islam, dan tidak peduli akan gangguan dan rintangan yang kelak akan dihadapinya dari masyarakat jahili paganis.

Namun suaminya, Malik bin Nadhir sangat marah saat mengetahui istrinya telah masuk Islam. Dengan dada gemuruh karena emosi, ia berkata pada Ummu Sulaim: “Engkau kini telah terperangkap dalam kemurtadan!”

“Saya tidak murtad. Justru saya kini telah beriman,” jawab Ummu Sulaim dengan mantap. Dan kesungguhan Ummu Sulaim memeluk agama Allah tidak hanya sampai di situ. Ia juga tanpa bosan berusaha melatih anaknya, Anas, yang masih kecil untuk mengucapkan dua kalimat syahadat.

Melihat kesungguhan istrinya serta pendiriannya yang tak mungkin tergoyahkan membuat Malik bin Nadhir bosan dan tak mampu mengendalikan amarahnya. Hingga ia kemudian bertekad untuk meninggalkan rumah dan tidak akan kembali sampai istrinya mau kembali kepada agama nenek moyang mereka. Ia pun pergi dengan wajah suram. Sayangnya, di tengah jalan ia bertemu dengan musuhnya, kemudian ia dibunuh..

Saat mendengar kabar kematian suaminya dengan ketabahan yang mengagumkan ia berkata, “Saya akan tetap menyusui Anas sampai ia tak mau menyusu lagi, dan sekali-kali saya tak ingin menikah lagi sampai Anas menyuruhku.”

Setelah Anas agak besar, Ummu Sulaim dengan malu-malu mendatangi Rasulullah dan meminta agar beliau bersedia menerima Anas sebagai pembantunya. Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam pun menerima Anas dengan rasa gembira. Dan dari semua keputusannya itu, Ummu Sualim kemudian banyak dibicarakan orang dengan rasa kagum.

Dan seorang bangsawan bernama Abu Thalhah tak luput memperhatikan hal itu. Dengan rasa cinta dan kagum yang tak dapat disembunyikan tanpa banyak pertimbangan ia langsung melangkahkan kakinya ke rumah Ummu Sulaim untuk melamarnya dan menawarkan mahar yang mahal. Namun di luar dugaan, jawaban Ummu Sulaim membuat lidahnya menjadi kelu dan rasa kecewanya begitu menyesakkan dada, meski Ummu Sulaim berkata dengan sopan dan rasa hormat,

“Tidak selayaknya saya menikah dengan seorang musyrik, ketahuilah wahai Abu Thalhah bahwa sesembahanmu selama ini hanyalah sebuah patung yang dipahat oleh keluarga fulan. Dan apabila engkau mau menyulutnya api niscaya akan membakar dan menghanguskan patung-patung itu.”

Perkataan Ummu Sulaim amat telak menghantam dadanya. Abu Thalhah tak percaya dengan apa yang ia lihat dan ia dengar. Namun itu semua merupakan realita yang harus ia terima. Abu Thalhah bukanlah orang yang cepat putus asa. Dikarenakan cintanya yang tulus dan mendalam terhadap Ummu Sulaim, di lain kesempatan ia datang lagi menjumpai ibunda Anas dan mengiming-iming mahar yang lebih wah serta kehidupan kelas atas.

Sekali lagi, Ummu Sulaim muslimah yag cerdik dan pintar ini tetap teguh dengan keimanannya. Sedikit pun ia tidak tergoda oleh kenikmatan dunia yag dijanjikan oleh Abu Thalhah. Baginya kenikmatan Islam akan lebih langgeng daripada seluruh kenikmatan dunia. Masih dengan penolakanya yang halus ia menjawab, “Sesungguhnya saya tidak pantas menolak orang yang seperti engkau, wahai Abu Thalhah. Hanya sayang engkau seorang kafir dan saya seorang muslimah. Maka tak pantas bagiku menikah denganmu. Coba Anda tebak apa keinginan saya?”

“Engkau menginginkan dinar dan kenikmatan,” kata Abu Thalhah. “Sedikitpun saya tidak menginginkan dinar dan kenikmatan. Yang saya inginkan hanya engkau segera memeluk agama Islam,” tukas Ummu Sualim tandas.

“Tetapi saya tidak mengerti siapa yang akan menjadi pembimbingku?” Tanya Abu Thalhah. “tentu saja pembimbingmu adalah Rasululah sendiri,” tegas Ummu Sulaim.

Maka Abu Thalhah pun bergegas pergi menjumpai Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam yang mana saat itu tengah duduk bersama para sahabatnya. Melihat kedatangan Abu Thalhah, Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam berseru, “Abu Thalhah telah datang kepada kalian, dan cahaya Islam tampak pada kedua bola matanya.”

Ketulusan hati Ummu Sulaim benar-benar terasa mengharukan relung-relung hati Abu Thalhah. Ummu Sulaim hanya akan mau dinikahi dengan keislamannya tanpa sedikitpun tegiur oleh kenikmatan yang dia janjikan. Wanita mana lagi yang lebih pantas menjadi istri dan ibu asuh anak-anaknya selain Ummu Sulaim? Hinnga tanpa terasa di hadapan Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam lisan Abu Thalhah basah mengulang-ulang kalimat, “Saya mengikuti ajaran Anda, wahai Rasulullah. Saya bersaksi, bahwa tidak ada ilah yang berhak diibadahi kecuali Allah dan saya bersaksi bahwa Muhammad adalah utusanNya.”

Ummu Sulaim tersenyum haru dan berpaling kepada anaknya Ana, “Bangunlah wahai Anas.”

Menikahlah Ummu Sulaim dengan Abu Thalhah, sedangkan maharnya adalah keislaman suaminya. Hingga Tsabit –seorang perawi hadits- meriwayatkan dari Anas, “Sama sekali aku belum pernah mendengar seorang wanita yang maharnya lebih mulia dari Ummu Sulaim, yaitu keislaman suaminya.” Selanjutnya mereka menjalani kehidupan rumah tangga yang damai dan sejahtera dalam naungan cahaya Islam.

Abu Thalhah sendiri adalah seorang konglomerat nomor satu dari kabilah Anshar. Dan harta yang paling dia cintai yaitu tanah perkebunan “Bairuha”. Tanah perkebunan itu letaknya persis menghadap masjid. Dan Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam sendiri pernah minum air segar yang ada di lokasi itu, sampai kemudian turun ayat yang berbunyi:

“Sekali-kali belum sampai pada kebaktian yang sempurna sebelum kamu menafkahkan sebagian harta yang kamu cintai.” (Ali Imran:92)

Mendengar ayat ini, kontan Abu Thalhah menghadap Rasulullah. Setelah membacakan ayat tadi Abu Thalhah melanjutkan, “Dan sesungguhnya harta yang paling saya cintai adalah tanah perkebunan Bairuha. Saat ini tanah itu saya sedekahkan untuk Allah dengan harapan akan mendapatkan ganjaran kebaikan dari Allah kelak. Maka pergunakanlah sekehendak Anda, wahai Rasulullah.”

Dan bersabdalah Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wasallam, “Bakh, bakh itu adalah harta yang menguntungkan dan saya telah mendengar perkataanmu tentang harta itu dan saya sekarang berpendapat sebaiknya engkau bagi-bagikan tanah itu untuk keluarga kalian.”

Abu Thalhah pun menuruti perintah Rasululah dan membagi-bagikan tanah itu kepada sanak familinya dan anak keturunan pamannya. Tak berapa lama Alah memuliakan seorang anak laki-laki kepada pasangan berbahagia itu dan diberi nama Abu Umair. Suatu kali burung kesayangan Abu Umair mati sehingga Abu Umair menangis dengan sedih. Saat itu lewatlah Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wasallam di hadapannya. Melihat kesedihan Abu Umair, Rasulullah segera menghibur dan bertanya, “Wahai Abu Umair apa gerangan yang diperbuat oleh burung kecil?”

Namun takdir Allah memang tak mampu diduga. Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala kembali ingin menguji kesabaran pasangan sabar ini. Tiba-tiba saja, bocah mungil mereka Abu Umair jatuh sakit sehingga ayah dan ibunya dibuat cemas dan repot. Padahal ia adalah putra kesayangan Abu Thalhah. Jika ia pulang dari pasar, yang pertama kali ditanyakan adalah kesehatan dan keadaan putranya dan ia belum mereasa tenang bila belum melihatnya. Tepat pada waktu sholat, Abu Thalhah pergi ke masjid. Tak lama setelah kepergiannya, putranya Abu Umair menghembuskan nafas terakhir.

Ummu Sulaim memang seorang ibu mukminah yang sabar. Ia menerima peristiwa itu dengan sabar dan tenang. Ummu Sulaim lantas menidurkan putranya di atas kasur dan berujar berulang-ulang, “Innaa lillahi wa inna ilaihi rrji’un.” Dengan suara berbisik ia berkata kepada sanak keluarganya, “Jangan sekali-kali kalian memberitahukan perihal putranya pada Abu Thalhah sampai aku sendiri yang memberitahunya.”

Sekembalinya Abu Thalhah, alhamdulillah, air mata kesayangan Ummu Sulaim telah mongering. Ia menyambut kedatangan suaminya dan siap menjawab pertanyaannya.

“Bagaimana keadaan putraku sekarang?”

“Dia lebih tenang dari biasanya.” Jawab Ummu Sulaim dengan wajar.

Abu Thalhah merasa begitu letih hingga tak ada keinginan menengok putranya. Namun hatinya turut berbunga-bunga mengira putranya dalam keadaan sehat wal afiat. Ummu Sulaim pun menjamu suaminya dengan hidangan yang istimewa dan berdandan serta berhias dengan wangi-wangian, membuat Abu Thalhah tertarik dan mengajaknya tidur bersama.

Setelah suaminya terlelap, Ummu Sulaim memuji kepada Allah karena berhasil menentramkan suaminya perihal putranya, karena ia menyadari Abu Thalhah telah mengalami keletihan seharian, sehingga ia amembiarkan suaminya tertidur pulas.

Menjelang subuh, baru Ummu Sulaim berbicara pada suaminya, seraya bertanya, “Wahai Abu Thalhah apa pendapatmu bila ada sekelompok orang meminjamkan barang kepada tetangganya lantas ia meminta kembali haknya. Pantaskan jika si peminjam enggan mengembalikannya?”

“Tidak,” jawab Abu Thalhah.

“Bagaimana jika si peminjam enggan mengembalikannya setelah menggunakannya?” “Wah, mereka benar-benar tidak waras,” Abu Thalhah menukas.

“Demikian pula putramu. Allah meminjamkannya pada kita dan pemiliknya telah mengambilnya kembali. Relakanlah ia,” kata Ummu Sulaim dengan tenang. Pada mulanya Abu Thalhah marah dan membentak, “Kenapa baru sekarang kau beritahu, dan membiarkan aku hingga aku ternoda (berhadats karena berhubungan suami istri)?”

Dengan rasa tabah Ummu Sulaim tak henti-henti mengingatkan suaminya hingga ia kembali istirja dan memuji Allah dengan hati yang tenang.

Pagi-pagi buta sebelum cahaya matahari kelihatan penuh, Abu Thalhah menjumpai Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam dan menceritakan kejadian itu. Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam pun bersabda, “Semoga Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala memberikan barakah pada malam pengantin kalian berdua.”

Benar saja Ummu Sulaim lantas mengandung lagi dan melahirkan seorang anak yang diberi nama Abdullah bin Thalhah oleh Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. Dan subhanallah barakahnya ternyata tak hanya sampai di situ. Abdullah kelak di kemudian hari memiliki tujuh orang putra yang semuanya hafizhul Qur’an. Keutamaan Ummu Sulaim tidak hanya itu, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala juga pernah menurunkan ayat untuk pasangan suami istri itu dikarenakan suatu peristiwa. Sampau Rasulullah shollallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam menggembirakannya dengan janji surga dalam sabdanya

“Aku memasuki surga dan aku mendengar jalannya seseorang. Lantas aku bertanya “Siapakah ini?” Penghuni surga spontan menjawab “Ini adalah Rumaisha binti Milhan, ibu Anas bin Malik.”

Selamat untukmu Ibunda Anas!

Sungguh Engkau Wanita Hebat!

Siti Muthi'ah: Dipuji Nabi, Dikagumi Siti Fatimah

"FATIMAH anakku, maukah engkau menjadi seorang perempuan yang baik budi dan istri yang dicintai suami?" tanya sang ayah yang tak lain adalah Nabi SAW. "Tentu saja, wahai ayahku"

"Tidak jauh dari rumah ini berdiam seorang perempuan yang sangat baik budi pekertinya. Namanya Siti Muthi'ah. Temuilah dia, teladani budi pekertinya yang baik itu".

Gerangan amal apakah yang dilakukan Siti Muthi'ah sehingga Rasulpun memujinya sebagai perempuan teladan? Maka bergegaslah Fatimah menuju rumah Muthi'ah dengan mengajak serta Hasan, putra Fatimah yang masih kecil itu.

Begitu gembira Muthi'ah mengetahui tamunya adalah putri Nabi besar itu. "Sungguh, bahagia sekali aku menyambut kedatanganmu ini, Fatimah. Namun maafkanlah aku sahabatku, suamiku telah beramanat, aku tidak boleh menerima tamu lelaki dirumah ini."

"Ini Hasan putraku sendiri, ia kan masih anak-anak." kata Fatimah sambil tersenyum.

"Namun sekali lagi maafkanlah aku, aku tak ingin mengecewakan suamiku, Fatimah."

Fatimah mulai merasakan keutamaan Siti Muthi'ah. Ia semakin kagum dan berhasrat menyelami lebih dalam akhlak wanita ini. Lalu diantarlah Hasan pulang dan bergegaslah Fatimah kembali ke Muthi'ah.

Khasiat Tiga Benda 'Keramat'

"Aku jadi berdebar-debar," sambut Siti Muthi'ah, gerangan apakah yang membuatmu begitu ingin kerumahku, wahai puteri Nabi?"

"Memang benarlah, Muthi'ah. Ada berita gembira buatmu dan ayahku sendirilah yang menyuruhku kesini. Ayahku mengatakan bahwa engkau adalah wanita berbudi sangat baik, karena itulah aku kesini untuk meneladanimu, Wahai Muthi'ah."

Muthi'ah gembira mendengar ucapan Fatimah, namun Muthi'ah masih ragu. "Engkau bercanda sahabatku? aku ini wanita biasa yang tidak punya keistimewaan apapun seperti yang engkau lihat sendiri."

"Aku tidak berbohong wahai Muthi'ah, karenanya ceritakan kepadaku agar aku bisa meneladaninya." Siti Muthi'ah terdiam, hening. Lalu tanpa sengaja Fatimah melihat sehelai kain kecil, kipas dan sebilah rotan di ruangan kecil itu.

"Buat apa ketiga benda ini Muthi'ah" Siti Muthi'ah tersenyam malu. Namun setelah didesak iapun bercerita. "Engkau tahu Fatimah, suamiku seorang pekerja keras memeras keringat dari hari ke hari. Aku sangat sayang dan hormat kepadanya. Begitu kulihat ia pulang kerja, cepat-cepat kusambut kedatangannya. Kubuka bajunya, kulap tubuhnya dengan kain kecil ini hingga kering keringatnya. Iapun berbaring ditempat tidur melepas lelah, lalu aku kipasi beliau hingga lelahnya hilang atau tertidur pulas"

"Sungguh luar biasa pekertimu, Muthi'ah. Lalu untuk apa rotan ini?"

Kemudian aku berpakaian semenarik mungkin untuknya. Setelah ia bangun dan mandi, kusiapkan pula makan dan minum untuknya. Setelah semua selesai, aku berkata kepadanya: "Oh, kakanda. Bilamana pelayananku sebagai istri dan masakanku tidak berkenan dihatimu, aku ikhlas menerima hukuman. Pukullah badanku dengan rotan ini dan sebutlah kesalahanku agar tidak kuulangi"

"Seringkah engkau dipukul olehnya, wahai Muthi'ah?" tanya Fatimah berdebar-debar.

"Tidak pernah, Fatimah. Bukan rotan yang diambilnya, justru akulah yang ditarik dan didekapnya penuh kemesraan. Itulah kebahagiaan kami sehari-hari".

"Jika demikian, sungguh luar biasa, wahai Muthi'ah. Sungguh luar biasa! Benarlah kata ayahku, engkau perempuan berbudi baik." kata Fatimah terkagum-kagum.

Because I have You

By: Tamara Hall

The pounding grew louder. It was powerful. It echoed off the trees, whipping the grass. Animals and birds spun around, What wondrous creature is coming? they thought.

Suddenly the unicorn burst over the crest of the hill. He was white and glowing as if energy moved with him-through him. The unicorn stopped and shook his great mane. The air rippled with each movement. The wondrous beast scanned the scene with eyes as blue as the bluest scythe depth of the eyes were more dazzling than the color. All that beheld the great beast trembled.

Then the unicorn did a strange thing for one so powerful. He knelt down and with front legs bowed, the unicorn’s great silver horn touched the grass. His voice, soft and firm, echoed through the valley, “Oh great God who has created me, tell me what you wish of me.”

“I wish you to observe my creatures and learn their lessons.”

“So be it, my God. I thank you for allowing me to learn about Your creations”

“When you learn about them, you will learn about Me.”

And, with that the unicorn began his adventure.

.........................................................................................................................................

He first encountered a herd of animals much like himself, yet smaller and without horns.

“They are horses,” God whispered, “Join them.”

He galloped with the horses across the open plain. He ran until the wind burned his face and his muscles ached. The horses did not care where they ran. It was the speed, not direction that drove me. They barely slowed down when they entered the nearby forest and soared over downed trees. Their muscular legs carried them across rivers. They leapt into space and flew down the side of a mountain. The exhilaration was empowering. He felt free. When the unicorn broke from the herd, he was bursting with energy.

“Oh God,” the unicorn announced, “I see. You want the spirit to soar-to experience adventure-to know freedom-to leap forward, unafraid.”

“Yes my son, you have learned a good lesson and now you should rest.”

The unicorn found a soft patch of thick green grass under a great oak tree and drifted to sleep.

.........................................................................................................................................

His mane twitched. Something disturbed him. He lifted his head and scanned the horizon but he could not see what had intruded his slumber. He knew he was missing something. He felt it again. It was tickling across his leg. He pressed his nose to the ground. There it was-a strange creature. A creature so small, he had to put his eye very close to see it.

“It is an ant. Watch it and learn,” whispered the voice of God.

What could this meager creature teach me, he thought. It is so small. It just moves back and forth.

So, the obedient creature laid his massive head on the ground and watched the ant. What a busy ant it was. It worked tirelessly, with great precision. It dug deep holes and carried sticks as twice its size. It worked with great tenacity. The ant did not stop when the wind blew. It did not stop when heavy drops of rain fell from the skies. The unicorn was enthralled.

“I see,” he announced to God, “there is great satisfaction from focusing on a job and completing it. Your creatures cannot just play but must also work.”

“Yes, but there is more.”

The unicorn watched closer and this time he did not notice just one ant but thousands. They worked in cooperation with each other, and in perfect harmony, they completed a complex pathway.

When he lifted his head, he was surprised to see the sun was setting. He was tired than he had been after his run with the wild horses, and yet, he felt strangely satisfied.

“It is clear,” he told God,” they accomplish more together. Some are leaders and some are workers, but they each have a part to play in the building.”

“Yes my son, you have learned a good lesson and now you should rest.”

And the unicorn fell into deep asleep.

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This time the unicorn did not awaken rested. He felt heavy. His eyes were heavy. The sky did not look blue. It looked grey. The grass looked grey, and it did not taste rich. He ate it because he knew he should but he had no enthusiasm for anything.

He went in search of water. As he dipped his head into the cool stream, he closed his eyes and shook his head to clear his thoughts.

“Oh God, where are you?” he asked?

And for the first time, the voice of God did not answer. It left him with a strange uneasiness. He began to run as if he could catch the voice of God. He could not. Then he rested, hoping the voice would come in his sleep. It did not.

He wandered aimlessly. He saw the lessons of the previous day reflected around him. He heard a high pitch shrill of geese flying together. He saw butterflies floating, free of burden. He saw lizards and lion eating, working, resting. He saw creatures of all sizes, but he saw nothing new.

He lifted his head and with all of his strength he brayed, “What more is there for me to learn, God?”

His eyes were blinded by the glare of the sun. As the dazzling light faded, his eyes began to see two entangled branches. They were wrapped around each other as if climbing together. They moved. Strange. They were not branches. They were the necks of two giraffes.

A rustled in the grass compelled him to look down. He saw two fuzzy rabbits nuzzling their pink noses into each other’s fur. From the corner of his eyes he saw to robins bobbing two heads together in deep conversation. He realized the large rainbow-painted butterfly resting on a nearby leaf was not one insect but two. And, for the first time he noticed how many of the creatures were in pairs.

He understood he was alone and he hurt. With great effort, he lifted his head, “Are you there, God? Please say You are still with me.”

“Yes.” He felt the great voice before he heard it. The voice filed him with peace.

“Oh God,” he cried, “I have learned the lesson. It is not good to be alone. All Your creatures are unique, and yet, they are the same. They need to play, they need to work, and they need to be loved. Is that the final lesson?”

“No,” said God, “that is not the final lesson, but it is a very important lesson. You are wiser now and it is time for you to feel what is in the heart of each creature.”

“But, won’t they all be the same?”

“No, I have made all my creatures unique. Each has a gift, and you must experience each gift.”

The obedient unicorn trotted into the forest seeking his greatest adventure.

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A “hoot” pierced the quiet. He turned towards a majestic oak tree. An owl flew from a branch and perched on the tip of the unicorn’s horn. The unicorn felt he wisdom of the owl flowing through him-sensible ideas-deep reflections-strange notions-frightening speculations. The thoughts were bright lights hurdling down dark tunnels. There was a powerful energy in thinking so many complex thoughts. He relished the power, the energy.

The ideas came too fast. They began to flow together. The lights got smaller, the pathways more confusing. He could not tell the sensible from the bizarre. The dark recesses from his mind were like an endless maze. The great beast became frustrated. Each thought ended with a question. He turned the corners in the maze and found a new idea and another question.

He felt trapped. He shook his had ad the owl flew off. The unicorn was exhausted.

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The unicorn walked slowly to an opening in the forest where he noticed a small lamb frolicking after a butterfly. He joined the carefree lamb, and with amazing grace, the unicorn began leaping over flowers. He felt wondrous delight. He found himself laughing out loud. His senses were acute. The fragrance of the field tickled his nose and created colors in his head. He felt alive.

He put his nose into a patch of golden daisies. An abrupt sneeze sent queer ripples through his muscles. A large bee flew from the clump of flowers and landed on his nose. Before he could shake it off, the bee buried its stinger into his soft flesh.

“Ouch,” he wailed.

His delight quickly replaced by distress. He glanced around for someone to console him. And for the first time he realized there was no flock. He became frightened. He laid down. He began to shiver.

The unicorn no longer remembered the serious questions he wanted answered when he was with the owl. The pressure the owl had placed in his head was now in his heart. The potpourri of emotions he was receiving from the lamb made it impossible to think. He worried for his safety, and he safety of others. He was overwhelmed with emotions: anxiety, melancholy, frustration. He felt such pain in his heart that he could not raised his head. Large tears of sadness rolled down his nose.

He sensed danger before he heard it. There was a howling in a distance. He knew he should run, but fear paralyzed him. He heard the growling. Closer now. He saw an eye staring at him behind a tree. He saw the razor sharp fangs. He felt an involuntary shiver run the entire length of his body. And yet, he still could not move. He closed his eyes and waited for the terrible pain he knew would soon envelop him.

“Please,” he implored, “do not hurt me.”

He was overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness and self-pity as he whimpered, “What have I done wrong to warrant this?”

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Slowly the unicorn felt energy pushing the fear from his veins. He opened his eyes. He was no longer with the lamb. He was watching the lamb from behind a tree. He felt no pity for it, only a strong sense that the lamb was a part of a bigger plan. He leapt onto the small animal and with swift precision snuffed out its life. He feasted and cleaned himself. He felt vital. Somewhere in the dark recesses of his mind, there was a hint of sadness that the lamb was dead, but that sadness was overshadowed by a certainty that all things served on purpose. That certainty made him feel potent.

He stood tall and began to prowl the forest. He knew it was his forest. He saw no animals, but he knew they were there. They were in the burrows, under the branches, behind the boulders. They were watching with awe because he was the most powerful. He basked in the sun, confident in the knowledge that his strength gave clarity to the others. It gave order.

The warm sun relaxed his tense muscles. As he felt the tension float away, he realized that being the strongest made him the most inaccessible. And he felt strangely alone.

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When the unicorn awoke every part of his being was exhausted. His heart throbbed from being thoughtful, his heart mourned from being sensitive and his body ached from being brave. He realized he had not spoken with God throughout his entire adventure.

“Where are you, my God?”

“I am here.”

“Oh God, it was the most confusing of all lessons. I experienced great gifts. I was able to think deep thoughts and dream great visions. I felt emotions so intense that they spread from my heart into my entire being. I was so mighty that my very reputation demanded the awe of others. It was amazing… but… I forgot…,” the unicorn paused.

“What did you forget?” asked God.

The unicorn continued, “When I was experiencing one gift, I forgot the others and that was the hardest challenge. It was very hard to comprehend someone else’s gift. Each gift isolated me. It happened slowly. At first, I had no interest in others because I was submerged in myself. Then I had no appreciations from others because I was so full of myself. Eventually, I knew only arrogance and loneliness. Oh God, are these gifts bad?”

“What do you think?”

“I think nothing bad could come from You. But the gift could be destructive if not used carefully. If we separate ourselves from others, our strength will become weaknesses. Each gift is a blessing and a curse. Is that the final lesson?”

“That is an important part of the lessons, but not all. How do you feel now?”

The unicorn paused before answering. He searched his heart, his head, and his soul. “I feel complete. I’m not confused. I feel certain.”

“Do you know why?”

“Because I have You.”

“Yes. And that is the greatest lesson. I give gifts to those who can carry them. But, I know the burden is great, much too great to carry alone. Therefore, no one is alone, I am always near.”

“Even when the gifts push others away?”

“Especially when the gifts push others away.”

And, with that, a rainbow touched the ground in front of the unicorn. The great beast walked up the rays until he stepped onto a cloud and disappeared into the waiting heart of God.