A Story for the Saint Francis Fraternity

     Two Franciscans were walking through the country. One was old and experienced, professed for more than forty years and very wise. The other was young, a candidate yet to make his final vows. He had often heard of this old friar and was excited to spend time alone with him, so, as often happens between student and teacher, he did most of the talking.
     As they traveled, the young friar told his advisor all about himself, about his conversion to the Gospel and his newfound desire to imitate Francis.
     "But there's one thing I'm unsure of..." he confessed.
     "What's that?" the old friar asked.
     "Well, how did Francis do it? How could he give up his whole life to follow the Gospel?"
     "Well it's simple, really. Francis wanted God to be his whole life."
     "Oh!" said the young monk, falling silent. For awhile they walked without speaking. By and by they came to a river. The only way across was to wade. Fortunately, the water wasn't too deep, so in they went. As they crossed, the young man spoke again.
     "I want to be like Francis!" he blurted. "I want to live the Gospel. What must I do?"
     The old friar turned and looked at his companion.
     "The only thing you need is to want God!"
     "That's all? Just want God? But, how much do I need to want him...?"
     Without warning, the old friar grabbed him and threw him down in the water. The young man struggled, but the old man was strong and held him down. It didn't take long for the young man to start running out of breath, but still the old man pinned him beneath the water. Now the young man was desperate, struggling and thrashing until finally, the old man pulled him up. As his head broke the surface of the river he inhaled deeply. Sweet air!
     The old friar helped him to his feet and supported him across the river. As they climbed up the opposite bank he asked his young companion, "What were you wanting as I held you under the water?"
     "AIR!" the young man panted. "All I wanted was air...!"

     "Then if you want to follow Father Francis," the old friar advised, "that's how much you must want God."