Macarius and the Hyena
A monk of the Egyptian desert helped a desperate mother, and was richly rewarded.
330-391
A monk of the Egyptian desert helped a desperate mother, and was richly rewarded.
330-391
Macarius (301-391) was a disciple of St Anthony, the first Christian monk. Here, he does a favour for a friend in need.
THEY say that as Macarius was praying one day, a hyena crept into his desert cave and began to lick his feet.
Finding the monk slow to comprehend, the hyena gently tugged at his tunic and tried to draw him towards the door.
Still puzzled, Macarius followed her until they came to her own cave.
The hyena left him standing outside while she went in and fetched her cubs, which had been blind since birth.
Now understanding her purpose, Macarius prayed over them, and soon was able to return the little cubs to their mother, with their sight restored.
Some time later, Macarius was back at prayer in his desert cave when the hyena entered once more.
This time, she held in her mouth a very large sheepskin, which she dropped at the monk’s feet. Macarius smiled tenderly at her, and gratefully added it to his bedding.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
How did the hyena get Macarius’s attention?
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Macarius was at prayer. A hyena tugged at his tunic. Macarius was puzzled.