GOD summoned

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="044785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>TerSans Ranches and Kennels </B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TerSans Ranches and Kennels "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="045d2b03.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Short Stories"><U><B>Short Stories</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#000000" FACE="GoudyOlSt BT" ><B>                                G</B></FONT><B>od </B><B>summoned </B><B> a beast from the fields and said,</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>“Behold people created in my image.     Therefore,   adore them.      You shall protect them in the wilderness,   shepherd their flocks,   watch over their children,   accompany them wherever they may go — even into civilization.    </B></div> <div> <B>You shall be a companion,   an  ally,   a slave.” </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>“To do these things,”   God said,    “I endow you with instincts uncommon to other beasts:   faithfulness,    devotion and understanding surpassing that of people.      Lest it impair your courage,    you shall never foresee your death.      Lest it impair your loyalty,     you shall be blind to the faults of people.     Lest it impair your understanding,    you are denied the power of words.  Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of people with any other beast — or even people with people.   Speak with people only with your mind and thru your honest eyes.”</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>“Walk by their sides;  sleep in their doorways;  forage for them;  ward off their enemies;  carry their burdens;  share their afflictions;  love them and comfort them.      And in return for this,   people will fulfill your needs and wants — which shall be only food,   shelter,   and affection.”</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>“So be silent,  and be a friend to people.      Guide them along the way to this land that I have promised them.   </B></div> <div> <B>This shall be your destiny and your immortality.”</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>So spoke the Lord</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>And the Dog heard and was content</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>                                                                                                                                                                         </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="GoudyOlSt BT" ><I><B>Author unknown</B></I></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>