Rule Follower Meets Rule Breaker

Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely
brings pleasure to the sensible.

MAGGIE’S FAMILY OFTEN SAID that she was the world’s most well-behaved dog. At the mature age of six, the highly sensitive black Lab had learned each family member’s routine, knew what they expected from her, and was always eager to please.

She was also very good at reading people’s emotions and body language—so good, in fact, that it could sometimes be a problem. For example, if someone in the family got upset about something, Maggie assumed they were upset with her. She would be overcome with imagined guilt and run away, curl into a ball, and make herself as small as possible.

It often took a while to convince Maggie to come out of her self-imposed time-out. But once she did, she quickly went back to her sweet-natured, obedient, docile self.

Maggie’s highly ordered and rule-following world was working just fine.

And then Gypsy the kitten blew into Maggie’s well-ordered life like a tiny tornado, tossing mischief around like flying debris.

The first week, Gypsy explored the house and found many interesting things to play with . . . like the dial on the gas fireplace! With a flick of her paw, the fireplace turned on, melting the decorative candles inside into puddles of wax.

The black-and-gray-striped prankster upped her game by figuring out how to take stoppers out of bathroom sinks and ricochet small items—oftentimes earrings—down the drain.

She continually hid small items like hair ties and earbuds in secret nooks and crannies throughout the house.

Gypsy’s mischievous ways frustrated her human family, but no one was more bothered by her antics than Maggie—who grew increasingly anxious about Gypsy’s blatant disregard for rules and order.

Maggie would pace when Gypsy was on the prowl for kitten-sized trouble. She would whine when Gypsy seemed to find the trouble she was looking for. And the Lab would run and hide the moment her humans discovered a Gypsy-sized mess.

Her owners would continually reassure her that they knew who the true culprit was. “Oh, Maggie girl, we know you didn’t do it.”

Maggie would lick and nuzzle her humans as if trying to apologize for Gypsy’s behavior.

And Gypsy? She did not seem the least bit concerned by her family’s frustration. Instead, she would sashay right by Maggie, undoubtedly in search of another bauble to plink down a drain.

PAWS & PONDER . . .

Did you see yourself as Maggie or Gypsy in this story? Have you ever done something foolish and actually enjoyed it—at least for a moment? In what ways can living wisely bring pleasure? Do you think that living wisely means never having any fun?

Paws & Pray

Lord, I want to be wise, but far too often I’m not. Sometimes, in the moment, my foolish choices seem fun, but the feeling doesn’t last. True lasting joy is found in you. Help me to be mindful of that truth and be sensible when I have a decision to make.