Summary
God's Call
One day, a boy named Taro, who lived in a small village, was about to be late for school. Still groggy, he hurriedly gobbled down his breakfast, stuffed his textbooks into his bag, and dashed outside. However, as he tried to rush down the village road, he was suddenly chased by a large dog. "Help!" Taro shouted, but no one came to his aid. In that moment, he thought to himself, "Let's ask God for help!"
Taro took out an old amulet from his pocket and prayed loudly towards the heavens, "Please help me get away from this dog!" Then, in a strange turn of events, the dog suddenly stopped in its tracks and stared wide-eyed. As if a machine had stopped, the dog stood frozen, and Taro took the opportunity to escape quickly. "Is this the power of prayer?" the boy was moved.
When Taro finally arrived at school, he shared his experience with his friends. "I was chased by a dog, but when I asked God for help, I really was saved!" His friends were all astonished but simultaneously retorted, "Wasn't that just a coincidence?" Taro hung his head, feeling frustrated, but deep down, he believed in the power of God.
A few days later, Taro was once again anxious before an exam. He hadn't studied at all the day before and had to somehow pass the test. He prayed to God again, "Please help me study!" That night, the very dog appeared in his dreams. "You asked for help, but you need to study on your own!" the dog said kindly. Taro woke up in surprise and decided to start studying. On the day of the exam, he managed to pass, all the while feeling grateful to God and the dog in his heart.
Thus, Taro realized that "calling on God in times of hardship" was not just a coincidence; it was essential to put in his own effort as well. He felt that believing not only in God but also in his own abilities was the true source of help.
