Golden Rule -Beginnings



  -You do unto yourself what you do unto others.

  Golden Rule - Beginnings

  By F.W. Covey

  Copyright 2014 by F.W. Covey

  Chapter 1

  There are many miracles that happen on the remote farms that fill the heartland of the country. Life... and the food that gives health to people around the world, starts with a few seeds and dedicated hard work - driven by dreams. Miracles can be counted and measured in the fields that surround the big red barns, everyday.

  One of the most exciting miracles happened to a humble donkey named Jenny. She gave birth to a very special baby. It was as though the sun had painted its own golden color on the baby donkey. Jenny was not sure what to call such a golden colored donkey boy. She thought about it for a day and a night. While she was feeding her new baby boy she overheard some children talking as they walked toward her.

  "You shouldn't be so mean to Joey. He can't help that his parents don't have enough money to buy him nice clothes like you have. Remember what they said in Sunday School....you know.... do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Its called the Golden Rule." Jenny gazed adoringly at her beautiful baby boy. With tears welling up in her eyes, she decided that he would be called...Golden Rule.

  Chapter 2

  Many people don't know it, but donkeys have special careers that show they are capable of being more than just beasts of burden and pack animals. Donkeys have the ability to protect sheep, goats and cattle from hungry wolves and coyotes. They can even stop the attack of a mountain lion or a pack of wild dogs. Donkeys are very intelligent and learn quickly. Their awareness and response to dangerous situations is much better than a horse. Some people think donkeys are stubborn but they have shown the ability to stop and think about a situation then quickly respond to threats. They have often proven to be better protectors than trained sheep dogs because they do not wander like dogs do.

  Jenny was so happy to see her Golden Rule grow to be a beautiful, strong young donkey. Everyday in the fields was like a wonderful day in a huge classroom. Golden Rule soon learned that it was important that he become strong, and aware of danger that could end the lives of the sheep, the goats and the cattle.

  In the mountains and valleys that surrounded the farm, there lived many fierce animals. Fierce, cunning beasts that would pounce on the unprotected lambs and calves. Jenny taught Golden Rule that he must use his eyes, ears and nose to know when danger was near. Though the dangerous wolves and mountain lions were fierce, Golden Rule must be strong and quick to decide on what to do so he could stop the attacks before other animals were killed. Jenny showed her son that quick thinking and courage would stop the most vicious timber wolf trying to make a supper of the lambs and calves. They were counting on Golden Rule to protect them.

  None of the animals on the farm had ever seen a donkey like Golden Rule. Jenny was very proud of her son and made sure they all knew the little golden donkey was a friend that they could count on. Jenny proudly introduced her little boy to all the families of sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and chickens.

  Old Hector the bull said he had only seen a donkey like Golden Rule once, when he was living on another farm. It was a little girl donkey and that farmer had sold her to a man in town and he had sold her to the circus.

  That story had left Jenny feeling a little sick inside and chilled.

  Chapter 3

  One warm sunny afternoon, Golden Rule and Jenny were peacefully watching over the pasture, making certain all the animals were safe and no danger was threatening them.

  Suddenly, in the red wood trees, on the other side of the pastures fence,there was a loud thump and sounds of something scrambling up the side of the tree. Jenny called to offer assistance to the frenzied squirrel who seemed to be in a panic.

  " If you need to know" replied the Squirrel,

  "I was reading a book I have in the hollow of my big tree there. It’s a book written by an old human slave named Aesop. He has stories about all kinds of animals and how they drive each crazy with things they do and say to each other."

  "And what do you call yourself ? " Golden Rule asked.

  "I've been an orphan since I can remember. Some chose to call me Nut Hunter but I didn't like that much. When I found the book I decided to change my name to Aesop. Some don't like it much at first but when I tell them a story from the book of Aesop , they seem to be ok with it. "

  "So why were you scrambling up the tree " Jenny asked.

  " Well... I was reading a story in the book, I was so struck by the message of the story that I did a backwards flip and almost fell to the ground."

  "Sounds like an amazing story " replied Jenny

  "Can you tell it to us ? "

  "Perhaps I can, if you tell me your names and what you are doing here. "

  Jenny told Aesop about herself and Golden Rule - how they were guardians of the farm's animals and their protectors from harm.

  Aesop did a double back flip, scrambled on to a fallen log and loudly proclaimed, "Have I got a story for you. The story is called - The Wolf and The Shepherds." Aesop continued to tell the story from the book, "A Wolf , passing by , saw some Shepherds in a hut eating a haunch of mutton for their dinner.

  Approaching them, he said. "What a clamor you would raise if I were to do as you are doing!"

  "That is an interesting story" Jenny replied.

  Golden Rule was silent as the message of the story ran around in his head.

  "Come see me again and I will have another interesting story for you. " Aesop scrambled over the log and up the tree, skyward. He paused on a large branch and waved good bye to his new friends, who appeared tiny from his lofty home.

  Chapter 4

  As they headed back to the farm yard, Golden Rule told his mother how the story of the Wolf and the Shepherds made him think of the wolves that lived in the forest around their farm.

  "When you called me Golden Rule, you did it because there is a special meaning in those words and I am trying to live by those words. You know, do unto others... as you would have others do unto you." Jenny smiled and nodded. " If I were a wolf, perhaps I would think I should feed others as I would be fed. Is it possible we can feed the wolves as we would like to be fed."

  "You are special my son, and I am proud of you and your wonderful thoughts. I do not know how to answer your questions but I know you have a wonderful spirit that will make life better for those you touch."

  Chapter 5

  It appeared to Golden Rule that things in this world could be complicated and confusing at times. How could he worry about feeding wolves when he was told that a big part of his job was to protect the animals or the wolves would eat them all.

  Golden Rule was thinking of this problem when he spotted a dog that he had never seen before. The dog appeared to be a long way from the care and comfort of any kind of home. Golden Rule had heard that these stray dogs could be as dangerous as any wolf or mountain lion and he was careful as he got close to where the dog lay resting near the fence.

  "Hello" Golden Rule called to the dog.

  "Can I help you? " The dog looked up at

  Golden Rule and spoke in a weak voice, "I haven't eaten in days and if I had any strength I would probably chase down your sheep and have some supper. "

  Golden Rule stepped back, startled by a remark that seemed to challenge him . "You might guess that I could not let you do that ," replied Golden Rule.

  "Good thing I'm too weak to fight you....I think we could be friends. Guess I might just become one of your newest dead friends." The dog layed his head down, appeared to be to weak to move.

  "By the way, my name is Troy and your name is.....? "


  "They call me Golden Rule."

  "That's an interesting name... Is that like the rule in the Bible ? " First it was the Wolf question... now this stray was confusing Golden Rule even more. He was thinking that he should order the mutt to get away when the dog looked up at him with the most sorrow filled eyes he had ever seen.

  "It must be hard when everyone expects you to do good things for them. When I get a little rested I will move along so you don't have to be burdened with my mess."

  Jenny walked toward her son and the old dog that lay at his feet. She told Golden Rule that they must get some food for Troy from the barn.

  When they brought the food to Troy, he slowly ate and thanked them.

  "I was not always such a sad excuse for a dog," Troy remarked. "I was once the picture of health. My master trusted me to watch out for the farm and all the animals. He kept me strong ... he was kind and loving. " Troy looked away from the food towards the trail that had brought him here.

  "Things were happening on the farm that caught me by surprize, " he continued. "It was little things at first and then I noticed changes in Farmer Jack's voice when he patted my head and talked about people I had never heard of. "

  "Then everything really changed... Jack went to town and he never came back for a week. He had never done that before." Troy paused again as he wiped something from his eye with his paw.

  "Next thing I know, strangers were everywhere.. moving things and loading equipment into trucks."

  " What about that mutt ?? I heard someone yell and saw them coming after me with a rope. Well, I took off out of there like my tail was on fire into the woods where they could not follow."

  "I circled back a couple of days later but it looked like some new people were moving in and it didn't look like I was ever going to see Jack again. So here I am.... a broken down, homeless mutt. "

  Chapter 6

  When Troy had eaten and rested he thanked Golden Rule and was about to leave. Jenny insisted that he stay a while and he could go with Golden Rule as he checked the fields and made sure all the animals were safe.

  As they walked from field to field they came to a place where Aesop, the squirrel, was perched on a big branch watching them approach.

  "Hello to you, my Golden friend... did you know you have a dog following you ?"

  "Good morning Aesop, this is my friend Troy. He's tagging along for a while . Maybe you have a story about a dog who has fallen on bad times. You know, lost his home and forced to wander in search of a new place to call home. " Golden Rule replied.

  "Give me a minute and I'll get my book of fables"

  When Aesop returned from his search , he began his story.

  "A hound having startled a Hare on the hillside pursued her for some distance, at one time biting her with his teeth as if he would take her life, a at another fawning upon her, as if in play with another dog. The Hare said to him " I wish you would act sincerely by me, and show yourself in your true colors. If you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an enemy, why do you fawn on me ? The lesson is.... no one can be a friend if you know not where to trust or distrust him. " Aesop looked carefully at Golden Rule and Troy as he concluded his story from the book.

  "Trust is what gives friendship strength " Troy remarked. "I hope to earn your trust.... I know I can trust Golden Rule.... a friend I can always rely on.... always."

  Golden Rule assured Troy that he and Aesop should become great friends.... he believed they could all rely on each other.

  The next morning Troy and Golden Rule climbed to the upper pastures. There were not many animals up there at this time of the year but Golden Rule thought he would like to show Troy the scenic fields next to the forrest. It was a wonderful sunny warm day and they both were energized by the fresh mountain air.

  Troy seemed have found a reserve a new energy and ran ahead jumping bushs and then jumping the fence. For a minute, Golden Rule lost sight of Troy and then he heard Troy call out to someone in the forrest.

  "Hello old friend " Troy barked with excitement. Golden Rule was puzzled and then very surprised when Troy reappeared walking side by side with a huge white wolf.

  "Golden Rule... I want you to meet a old friend of mine. His name is Kaiser. Please consider him to friend ."

  Golden Rule was not sure whether to be afraid or trust his new friend Troy and allow Kaiser to come closer.

  "Don't be afraid Golden Rule " Troy assured.

  "I understand if you are confused, " Kaiser began, "I know your job is to chase away guys like me. Please know that Troy is my good friend and perhaps we can become friends too."

  Golden Rule kept a safe distance from Kaiser. He had never seen a wolf as large a this one. He noticed that Kaiser limped and he had a nasty scar on his front right leg.

  " I would like to tell you how Troy and I became friends." Kaiser spoke, trying to ease Golden Rule's worry. "One winter day, I was exploring the woods for food to feed my young pups who were waiting ,hungry, at our home. Things weren't looking too good and I was about to turn and look in a different area when I heard a loud crack of a metal trap . The sudden jolt of pain to my leg made me stumble as the chain on the trap pulled me to the ground. "

  "I struggled to free myself from the gnawing pain. Knowing I had to escape or my children would starve. After hours of struggle I lost a lot of blood and I could barely lift my head. I was exhausted and losing all hope when Troy saw me."

  "I had never see a white wolf before," Troy began. " I almost turned away but I could not leave him suffering. " It seems crazy, but we felt an instant bond. I had some experience with traps and I scraped and pawed at that steel beast until it finally opened enough for Kaiser to pull his leg free. "

  "I've never forgotten that day," Kaiser said.

  "I have never known a friend like Troy. An amazing friend, who risked his own safety to help me. And help me save my children." When Kaiser finished speaking, a warm wonderful silence embraced the three of them and the glow of the knowledge warmed each of their hearts.

  Chapter 7

  Golden Rule told his mother Jenny about the wonderful experience he had shared with Troy and Kaiser. She stood amazed . She had always known that her son would do special things , and he had. The story of the friendship between the wolf and the dog assured her that the miracle of Golden Rule's birth would bring more beauty to her life than she had imagined.

  The next day, Golden Rule awoke early. As he wandered through the fields, he thought of the many stories that had touched his young life. "Love your neighbour like you love yourself."

  "Love your enemy like you love yourself." All day these thoughts tumbled around in his head. By the end of the day, Golden Rule was comforted by 5 Golden Guides that would help him love his neighbors and his enemies.

  1. LOOK - Do not ignore the needs and troubles of others. Look for ways that you can help, as you would like to be helped.

  2. LISTEN - Stop talking, stop preaching and really listen to what others are saying. Given two ears and one mouth, a person should listen twice as much as they talk.

  3. LEARN - Study the situations of others. Learn as much as you can about their journey, their hardships and their dreams.

  4. LIVE - Open each day with a vision of a better world. Remind yourself - "You do unto yourself what you do unto others. "

  5. LOVE - Love each creature, each person, all gifts from nature. Embrace them all, celebrate their unique gift, praise them all. You must give love to know love. Love is the goal and the greatest gift.

  Golden Rule stared at the horizon, the fields, the mountains and clouds challenging the sun. He wondered where his life would take him. He knew he must follow the 5 Golden Guides to make his life the best it could be.