JANUARY 8

When anyone complained of trifling inconveniences he would say: "Pythagoras always used to prescribe these three means for every kind of inconvenience; diet fresh water and movement" At other times he would give them this prescription: Quies, mens hilaris, dieta". (Solitude, humor, diet) 

To one who was afraid of sickness or the like he would relate the following story: "A person who was convalescing feared lest some kinds of foods would do him harm, wanted his doctor to dine with him. Once while they were dining a young chicken was served up. The doctor began to examine it in order to take away those parts which he thought would be harmful to his patient He began by cutting away the wings saying at the same time: 'Ala, mala' and he passed them on to his plate. 'Coxa noxa' said he, then: 'testa

infesta', each time taking away the part referred to. Having finished the whole body in this manner he, at length exclaimed: "collum sine pelle bonum" and cutting away the skin he passed it to his client, while he gobbled down the flesh and all the tasty portions. 

Do you understand the meaning of this story? Cast aside therefore all these unnecessary fears and preoccupations. Trust a little more in Divine Providence. Have recourse to Mary, most holy and go ahead with tranquility." 

He would continually vary his jokes sometimes giving the boys riddles to solve. He had a few of his own invention.  

For example he would say to one, "How green are you? I think you are sick?

-I? I am perfectly all right

-Nevertheless I tell you, you are green.

-I don't understand.

-Think a little and you will understand.

Then the boy would go away, imagine the strangest possible solutions, would speak with his companions about it and then after some time would return triumphantly to Don Bosco, " Don Bosco I understand now what you meant when you said I was green. You meant that I am a plant bearing no fruit" 

-"At last you have understood," Don Bosco would reply smilingly.

-"But wait and see, I shall set to work, and I shall become really good from now onwards."  

After some days the boy would again return to Don Bosco and ask -"Look, Don Bosco am I still green?" 

-"You have a fine color now! It is easily seen that you are must better, but there is still room for improvement"

"Right, you will see."