Reina -- Spanish -- Peaceful/Queen -- Yiddish -- Clean/Pure Delphin -- Greek -- Dolphin -- form of the name that refers to the Greek town of Delphi -- Home of a Famous Oracle. Greeks believed that Delphi was the earth’s womb; the dolphin’s shape resembles that of a pregnant woman. Saint Delphin was a fourth century French bishop.
As Though it Were a Whisper
In a clearing on a hill covered in tender blades of grass, a cool, clear brook streaming down its midst, lambs fed peacefully, quite oblivious to the hungry wolves lurking in the shadows of nearby tree lines. Nor were they aware of the serpent creeping along the banks of the brook.
Sitting atop a boulder on the uppermost peak, the young lion stretched lazily in the warm midday sun of late spring. Though he rested, his territorial eyes failed not to roam watchfully over the hill of which he was king, an inheritance given him by his father. A subtle breeze danced playfully around him. And in the distance, as though it were a whisper, a meadowlark sang a familiar song. His eyes settled upon an unseasoned lamb.
Reina, of the flock of Delphin, an unlearned babe born in the recent early spring, was athirst. Therefore, she grazed slowly toward the brook, enjoying the vast supply and variety of grasses along the way. The serpent waited earnestly, concealing himself within an alcove of cattails. Unaware of the danger awaiting her, Reina ambled to the waters edge.
In the sovereign wisdom that is reserved solely for a king, the young lion remained motionless, though the hair along his spine bristled defensively. He never took his eyes off of the lamb. He watched on while the serpent’s fangs sunk deeply into the tender flesh of Reina’s calf. Her agonizing wail pierced through the distance that separated lamb from lion. The remainder of the flock’s ears were not as fine-tuned as the lion’s and they grazed on in oblivion.
When the serpent had emptied a sufficient amount of venom into Reina’s veins, he released her and slithered back into the confines of thick cattails. She limped painfully into the brook and let the coolness of the water wash over her wound. Fear, a poison in itself, sunk in as quickly as the effects of the venom. Her vision blurred, her entire world a haze of confusion and utter anguish. And yet, the lion kept determinedly motionless.
The air carried upon it the smell of blood and drifted into the nearby woods. A pack of three starving wolves stilled themselves at the scent. They looked one to another for confirmation, thick drool running from the corners of their famished mouths. And they all turned in unison to run hungrily to the tempting source of the aroma.
Reina’s hope for help and even life was exhausted. She no longer wailed, but wept silently while she waited for sure death to envelop her in its cloak of darkness. The pack crept cautiously out of the tree lines and into the open meadow, slowly closing the gap between themselves and their intended means of survival. Reina’s pulse weakened to virtual nonexistence and she closed her eyes, welcoming the void that would surely bring an end to her pain.
Just as the pack reached the dying lamb, the lion stepped out of hiding and between them and Reina. He didn’t threaten. He didn’t roar. He just stood, studying the wolves with a deliberate, discerning stare. He didn’t have to threaten, for the wolves were fully aware that they were no match for the king. They all sat down and waited, hoping that the lion would leave them a small morsel when he was done devouring their desired feast. But the lion, to their surprise, walked purposefully into the thick mass of cattails.
He returned quickly, bearing a headless serpent in his mouth. He walked up to the wolves and laid the snake on the ground in front of them. Then he left the wolves to go to the lamb. The wolves moved cautiously to the meal laid before them and, when they were sure the lion was of no threat, the three of them greedily devoured it. By that time, Reina’s panting was labored, though she was unconscious.
The lion carefully took the loose flesh on the back of Reina’s neck into his mouth and carried her away from the brook and to the top of the hill. There, he laid her down gently in the cleft of a boulder and began to lick her wound. Slowly, a beam of light broke through the darkness and Reina found herself in the presence of the king.
Many weeks passed. Reina’s healing came slowly. In the dark hours of night, she slept curled in the warmth of his side, nuzzling under the soft blanket of his mane. In the bright sun of midday, he stood nobly over her, shadowing her from the glare of midsummer sun. He nudged her to bathe in the still waters of a nearby pool. He gathered food for her and watched over her, sustaining her until summer was over and her healing complete.
Then, though she struggled stubbornly, hoping to remain with him, the lion forced the lamb back into the flock. She grazed among her peers, never straying far from their sides, though she always longed to return to the hilltop. Winter came and went. New grasses were springing up everywhere. New lambs were born daily. And in the distance, as though it were a whisper, a meadowlark sang a familiar song.
Isaiah 65:24-25 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Hosea 5:14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
Isaiah 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
Ezekiel 34:13-16 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
Ezekiel 34:23 And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd
Zephaniah 2:7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
John 21:15-17 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
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Oh, I echo my sisters... this is wonderful! It is so beautifully written - sheer perfection! I can FEEL the warmth and love of the Lion and I think of what it will be like to be in the presence of our God - and feel that kind of love and protection! I will remember your words when I feel frightened or alone - I will close my eyes and feel the love of a LION...the love of GOD! God bless you! Love, Peggy
