The story is told of a dog that lived in Luco, a small town in the hills of central Italy. Every morning his master, Carlo, would hurry to the bus stop in the square and catch a ride to the factory in a nearby town. The dog would escort him to the square, see him off with lots of tail wagging and warm licks, and then wait all day for the bus’s return. When evening arrived, the dog would be at the curb to welcome his master and escort him back home again. This went on for two years.
What the dog didn’t know was that Italy was involved in a world war. One day enemy planes bombed the factory where Carlo worked. That night the dog met the bus, but no familiar feet appeared. No friendly fingers rubbed his ears, no happy voice called his name. So he spent the night in the square and waited all the next day. But the same thing happened again. Carlo didn’t step from the bus, because he had been killed.
Thirteen years later the dog was still in the square meeting the evening bus. At night he’d crawl under the parked vehicle and sleep. People brought him food and water, but no one could lure him away from his post by the curb. Eventually the town awarded the little dog a medal. «For great fail hilliness,» the citation read.
God has a reward waiting for His dedicated juniors. Someday He’ll say, «Weil clone, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things» (Matthew 23:23).