by Rev R. Okyere Darko (ANFGC, Ghana) There once was a lady who lived at home with her old family dog and her six-month old baby. She almost always left the baby on the veranda in its cot with a toy and the dog. When she returned, she always found her baby safe and sound under the dog’s watchful eyes. This continued for some time until one day the lady returned home to find her baby’s cot empty. The dog was missing, the baby’s toy was lying on the floor of the veranda, and the baby was nowhere in sight. Suddenly the old family dog appears from the bushes with blood all over its mouth. The dog walked confidently towards its owner. Horrified, the woman immediately picked up a big stick and repeatedly hit the family dog until it bled to death. With tears in her eyes, as she thought of how careless she had been with her child, she ran into her house. As she entered her bedroom, she heard her baby playfully talking to itself. The dog had pushed the baby under the bed to protect it, and then pursued the attacker. Unfortunately, it was too late. She had jumped to a terrible conclusion, and it had cost the dog its life. As you make your decisions on a daily basis, be careful not to jump to conclusions. It could have fatal consequences. | 
