Parables
by Sadhu Sundar Singh

BEES AND CREATION
Just as the bee collects the sweet juice of the flowers and turns it into honey without injuring their colours or fragrance, so the man of prayer gathers happiness and profit from all God's creation without doing any violence to it.

CLIMATE AND NATURE
In the same way as climate produces a change in form, colour, and the habits of growth in plants and flowers, so those who maintain communion with Me undergo a development of their spiritual nature in habit, appearance, and disposition; and putting off the old man they are transformed into my own glorious and incorruptible image.

FIREFLY
The firefly is one of the smallest of insects, yet it gladdens the heart of the traveller with its tiny light.

HUNGER AND THIRST
I have infused into man's nature hunger and thirst, that he may not in sheer heedlessness regard himself as God but that day by day he may be reminded of his needs and that his life is bound up with the life and existence of Someone who created him. Thus being made aware of his defects and necessities, he may abide in Me and I in him, and then he will ever find in Me his happiness and joy.

SALT WATER
Just as the salt water of the sea is drawn upwards by the hot rays of the sun, and gradually takes on the form of clouds, and turned thus into sweet and refreshing water, falls in showers on the earth (for the sea water as it rises upwards leaves behind it its salt and bitterness), so when the thoughts and desires of the man of prayer rise aloft like misty emanations of the soul, the rays of the Sun of Righteousness purify them of all sinful taint, and his prayers become a great cloud which descends from heaven in a shower of blessing, bringing refreshment to many on the earth.

SUN SPOTS
Let us never be discouraged by our weaknesses. The sun has many spots. On that account does it cease to give light? So let us shine with the light which He the True Light gives us. He will remove our defects and make us perfect. Our duty is to shine.