SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
LEND ME A RAT
I will lend to you for awhile a rat, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and to mourn for him when he is gone.
Maybe for 12 or 30 months - or maybe for 2 or 3
But will you, till I call him back,take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you and (should his stay be brief) you’ll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise that he will stay since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this rat to learn.
I’ve looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the fold that crowd life’s land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to you to take
him back again?
Then it was that I did say “Dear Lord, Thy Will Be Done,”
For all the joys this rat will bring the risk of grief I’ll run.
I will shelter him with tenderness,
I will love him while I may,
And for the happiness I’ll know forever grateful stay.
But should You think to call him back much sooner than we’ve planned,
I’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.
If by my love I’ve managed, Dear Lord, Your wishes to achieve,
When this faithful little soul departs this busy world of strife,
I pray that You will lend to me another rat to love and keep.
(Adapted from Lend Me A Pup by ~ Author Unknown; further Adapted by KG 2019)
I will lend to you for awhile a rat, God said,
For you to love him while he lives and to mourn for him when he is gone.
Maybe for 12 or 30 months - or maybe for 2 or 3
But will you, till I call him back,take care of him for me?
He’ll bring his charms to gladden you and (should his stay be brief) you’ll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise that he will stay since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught below I want this rat to learn.
I’ve looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the fold that crowd life’s land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labor vain,
nor hate me when I come to you to take
him back again?
Then it was that I did say “Dear Lord, Thy Will Be Done,”
For all the joys this rat will bring the risk of grief I’ll run.
I will shelter him with tenderness,
I will love him while I may,
And for the happiness I’ll know forever grateful stay.
But should You think to call him back much sooner than we’ve planned,
I’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.
If by my love I’ve managed, Dear Lord, Your wishes to achieve,
When this faithful little soul departs this busy world of strife,
I pray that You will lend to me another rat to love and keep.
(Adapted from Lend Me A Pup by ~ Author Unknown; further Adapted by KG 2019)
