Bruno Ferrero is a priest and writer Italian, belonging to the Salesians. Expert catechetical with a license in theology, he was managing editor of the publishing house Salesian Elledici until 2009.
As a writer deals with issues of ethics and religion. He is the director of the Salesian Bulletin.
Bruno Ferrero's inspirational stories - ” 365 Stories for the Soul ”
"...Our life has the meaning only when we have somebody to listen to
us. The greatest gift we can give to another person is to hear them out
sincerely..." - Bruno Ferrero
CIRCLE OF JOY
A countryman knocked hard on a monastery door.
When the monk tending the gates opened up, he was given a magnificent basket of grapes:
“Brother, these are the finest my vineyard has produced. I’ve come to bear them as a gift”.
“Thank you ! I will take them to the Abbot immediately; he’ll be delighted with this offering”.
“No! I brought them for you” said the man.
“For me?” the monk blushed for he didn’t think he deserved such a fine gift of nature.
“Yes”, insisted the man. “For
whenever I knock on the door, it is you who opens it. When I needed help because the crop was destroyed by drought, you gave me a piece of bread and a
cup of wine every day. I hope this bunch of grapes will bring you a little of the sun’s love, the rain’s beauty and the miracle of God, for it is he made it
grow so fine”.
The monk kept looking at the basket of grapes and thought how beautiful they were. Because of this he decided to deliver the gift to the Abbot who always encouraged him with words of wisdom.
The Abbot was very pleased with the grapes, but he recalled that there was a sick brother in the monastery, and thought: I’ll give him the grapes. Who knows, they may bring some joy to his life. And that is what he did.
But the grapes didn’t stay in the sick monk’s room for long, for he reflected:
The cook has looked after me for so long, feeding me only the best meals. I’m sure he will enjoy these.
When the cook appeared at lunch, to bring him his meal, he presented him with the grapes.
“They’re for you” said the sick monk. “Since you are always coming into contact with that which nature produces, you will know what to do with this work of God”.
The cook was amazed at the beauty of the grapes and showed his assistant how perfect they were. So perfect, he thought to himself, that no one would appreciate them more than the sexton since he was responsible for the Holy Sacrament and many at the monastery considered him a holy man.
The sexton, in turn, gave the grapes as a gift to the youngest novice, that he might understand that the work of God’s creation.
When the novice received them, his heart was filled with gratitude for he had never seen such beautiful grapes.
Just then, he remembered the first time he came to the monastery, and of the person who had opened the gates for him; it was that gesture which allowed him to be among this community of people who knew how to value the wonders of life. And so, just before nightfall, he took the grapes to the monk at the gates.
“Eat and enjoy them” he said. “For you spend most of your time alone here, and these grapes will make you very happy”.
The monk understood that the gift had been truly
destined for him, and relished each of the grapes, before falling into a pleasant sleep.
Thus the circle was closed; the circle of happiness and joy, which always shines brightly
around generous people.
“Love is often frightening because it causes you to make the first step, lose yourself, trust someone else and dedicate your life. You will have to pay for every unspoken word, unrealized caress and trampled dreams. You will have to pay for your fears and the disgust of your feelings that hampered your love. You will pay for casualness and pride that dampened your fantasies. You will have to settle up with unborn kisses, choked tears, silent desire, unfulfilled promises and wasted time.”
Bruno Ferrero.
“What happens when two people fall in love? They do not shout, they speak very quietly and softly. Why? It’s because they hearts are very close and the distance between them is small. Sometimes the two hearts are so close, that people don’t have to speak – they whisper to each other. When their love is even stronger they don’t have to whisper; it’s enough to look at each other and their hearts are in absolute harmony. That’s what happens when two people fall in love.”
Unknown
