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Although we are small and the last of the children of Israel, nothing prevents the little ones from giving rich thanks. Of course, the most perfect will give God the most perfect praise, and we will bring to Him today what we can (1). Everything is perfectly prepared for the celebration and rejoices. Look what is visible! The Queen of the Seasons comes out to meet the Queen of Days and brings from herself as a gift everything that is most beautiful and pleasant. Now the sky is transparent, now the sun is higher and more golden, now the circle of the moon is lighter and the host of stars is purer. Now the waves are coming into reconciliation with the shores, the clouds with the sun, the winds with the air, the earth with the plants, the plants with the eyes. Now the springs flow more transparently, now the rivers flow more abundantly, having been released from the bonds of winter, the meadow is fragrant, the plant is blooming, the grass is mown, and the lambs are jumping in the grain fields. Already the ship is being taken out of the pier with exclamations, mostly pleasing ones, and is taking wing with a sail; The dolphin, with possible pleasure, catching its breath and rising up, plays near the ship and tirelessly accompanies those sailing. Already the farmer is putting a plow into the ground, raising his gaze to the mountain and calling for help from the Giver of fruits; He is already leading the ox under the yoke - plowing, cutting a lush furrow and rejoicing in hopes. Already those herding sheep and oxen are tuning their pipes, playing a shepherd's song and welcoming spring under the trees and on the cliffs, already the gardener is caring for the trees, the bird-catcher is preparing cages, inspecting the rays, noticing the flight of birds, the fisherman is peering into the depths, clearing the nets and sitting on the stones. Already a hardworking bee, spreading its wings and leaving the hive, shows its wisdom, flies through the meadows, collects prey from flowers, and another decorates the honeycomb, intertwining hexagonal and overturned cups one on top of the other and closing them alternately, sometimes straight, sometimes at an angle, together for beauty and for strength; and another puts honey in these storehouses and cultivates the sweet fruit grown without a plow for the visiting guest. Oh, if only we, Christ the beekeeper, would do the same, we who have before us such an example of wisdom and hard work! A bird is already making a nest for itself, one flies into it temporarily, another lives in it permanently, and another flies around, echoes the forest and seems to talk to a person. Everything sings to God and glorifies Him with wordless voices. And through me, thanks are given to God for everything. Thus, their song of praise becomes mine, and from them I also take the occasion for hymn. For now every living thing expresses its joy, and with us every feeling enjoys. Now the proud and hot horse, who is tired of standing under the roof, has broken his leash, gallops across the field and shows off by the rivers (1). He who is not a son does not know even the blows of the rod. What if, like Job, you strive for crowns? Repeat this to yourself more often, and it will not be difficult for you to find consolation for yourself in your labors, and through your gratitude to gain hope (2). Whatever is given from God must be received with thanksgiving (2). I suffer from illness and rejoice: not because I suffer, but because I can be a teacher of patience for others. For when I cannot do anything without suffering, I gain through suffering what I endure, and I give thanks both in joys and in sorrows, being confident that everything that happens to us is not without a reasonable reason in the Word, although it seems to us that there is no such reason (2). You might be interested in: