Fiction

The Peace of Dov

by Megan Hughes
03/10/26
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Ari’s dulled mind tried to think, and as he raised his head, he noticed a dark brown figure looming before him.

“Come,” spoke a deep voice.

The brown figure now dropped to all fours and ambled away, then turned and glanced over his shoulder. “Come,” he said.

Ari and his two companions, the tiny bird Shirarina and Gamzo the fox, found themselves in a bleak winter snowstorm while on their journey to find Ari’s homeland.

When Ari was on the brink of collapse, the voice of Dov, the brown bear, rang in his ears. The old bear beckoned Ari to follow him. With Gamzo still clutching his tail and Shirarina snuggled deep inside his mane, he moved forward.

Dov led the way to a small opening, and soon they found themselves out of the falling snow and inside a cave. The bear turned its back to them and scratched around in one corner of the cave.

“Lie down,” he said.

While on your journey through life, have you felt heavy snow fall and make the trail difficult to follow? Everything turns white and your progress becomes slow. Your hopes fade as you travel for days in these conditions. The cold and exhaustion take their toll on your body and mind.

You lag farther behind. You cannot take another step. A voice inside you says, “You must keep going,” but you do not know the way. The snow swirls around your head and your stomach continues to ache. You shake with blurred vision.

But then, you sense a presence coming close. A soothing voice says to you, “Come.” With every ounce of strength left in your body, you take the first step. You know your survival depends on it. At first you stumble, but then you find your footing and continue to follow the voice.

The old bear fluffed up a bedding of dry leaves and pine needles to warm them. Ari and Gamzo collapsed into an unconscious sleep. While the snow continued to fall for many days, Dov would bring food to the small party of animals, and his tranquil blue eyes calmed the travelers.

Sleep, rest, and nourishment in the peaceful presence of Dov caused Ari, Shirarina, and Gamzo to regain their strength while time stood still. Before long, the snow disappeared, and sunlight danced upon the leaves of the trees. New life sprouted everywhere the eye could see. The wildflowers turned their faces skyward to drink in the warm glow of the sun.

And then Dov spoke again.

“It is time now. Come.”

The old bear rose on all fours and walked out of the cave; the others followed. Spring had arrived. Shirarina spread her wings and took flight. The sun on her feathers filled her with joy. Ari and Gamzo ran around each other in circles as they felt strength return to their bodies.

Inside your cave, your secret place, peace infuses you with sustaining strength. You have hope that the warm, glowing sunshine of spring will always arrive at the perfect time. Then, you spread your wings as Shirarina did, and take flight.

“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on you.” ~ Isaiah 26:3

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.” ~ Psalm 62:5

“… my Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” ~ Exodus 33:14