Courage

Chayim was a contented boy growing up in a small village in the mountains of northern Greece. He had a gentle personality, and especially loved all things alive, which was also the literal meaning of his Sephardic name. Most at home in nature, he heard and saw the active rhythm of life all around him.

One morning, Chayim's father, a stern but good man, returned from a nearby village with a  newborn lamb. Turning the frightened creature over to his eight-year old son, Chayim was now responsible for her care. He couldn't have been happier, assuring his father he was trustworthy. The days passed quickly, and the perky lamb- Chayim's constant companion- grew quickly to double her born size. Chayim never had such a fun and lively playmate.

After many months of the year had passed, Chayim's father came out to their barn where the boy was bathing his lamb. The gruff father smiled and nodded. "You've done a good job. Passover is here in two days." Chayim was instantly stricken with terror, and thought he would throw up or pass out, or both.

As his father walked away, the slow burn of realization came over Chayim like a cloud-gang of horrific nightmare. Of course, he recalled there was lamb served at every Passover, but he didn't think- it was more than he could stand.. Heartsick with fear, angry, Chayim suddenly hated traditions, and his own smallness.

Later, Chayim quietly but urgently spoke to his mother, then to his grandmother. They were both sympathetic to his tearful pleas, but his grandmother only gave him a hug, and told him not to think about it.

Silently, Chayim slipped back to the barn at midnight, unable to sleep, and just held his dear lamb close to him, trembling with frustration. His whole life and world seemed destroyed with an unspeakable sorrow, a maddening, helpless fate. Chayim had to stop this disaster.

It was the first time in his life he had stayed awake all night, until sunrise. The following morning, exhausted from no sleep, Chayim knew there was no other option, except the one he dreaded. Like in a dream, before he knew his own actions, the boy was already inside his parents' room. His father propped himself up on his pillow,  with Chayim's mother still asleep. The boy knew he had to start talking fast, before his beating heart burst.

"Father, please! You must listen to me now. You cannot do this tomorrow, or ever! My lamb. You cannot! I will not let you! I will stop you!" Chayim was fully enraged and breathless. He couldn't believe he had just shouted at his strict father. But, he didn't care, he was ready for the worst reaction. Chayim's father just kept silent, somewhat astonished at his son's new defiance. But, he also could see that it took every atom of courage in his boy, and he was proud.

At that very moment, the Hand of God touched the father's shoulder- his eyes and heart were instantly opened. He realized in a humbling second what a fool he had been to not foresee this outcome.

Finally, after an eternity of silent moments, just as Chayim's mother awakened, his father turned to her and said, "Going to town later to see the butcher. We'll have brisket for Passover this year, it'll be good."

As a bonus to the virtues of bravery and solemn resolve, from that day on both father and son appreciated each other in a new and different way.