(from an old French medieval tale)
Between Normandy and Brittany, next to the sea, in times of old there used to be a castle so strong and so well defended that it feared no king, prince or duke of any sort.
The lord that possessed it was robust, vain and powerful. Seeing him, one might think he had a good and gracious nature. However, he was proud and cruel, fearing neither God nor men. He had spread terror throughout the country, robbing travelers along the roads, promoting unjust wars, destroying markets, killing pilgrims. He never did any fasting or attended masses or sermons. I believe no worse man has ever existed. In his life he committed all the evil that can be done by thought, word and deed.
And so he lived for thirty years, without any repentance at all.
On a Good Friday, having risen very early, he personally went to the kitchen and told his cook: — “Prepare the quarry I hunted yesterday, for I want to have lunch early.”
Sad, and afraid to cross him, the cook answered: — “I will do your bidding, Sir.”
However, when his knights learned about that order, they went to him and said that it was opposed to the teachings of Holy Church. —“How can it be, Sir, today is Good Friday, the day Our Lord Jesus Christ died for us. Everyone fasts today, and even children do penance! And you, in besides not fasting, want to eat meat on top? Make no mistake, God will avenge himself on you!”
—“Never mind. By the time that happens I will have committed even more sins, ahahaha!”
—“Are you sure God will give you that time? You should beg for graces and weep.”
—“Weep, me? That’s not my occupation! You weep, if you want! As for me, I’ll laugh at you! Ahahahahahaa!”
—“Listen, Sir, there’s a convent nearby where a holy man lives, to whom repentant sinners go to confession. Let us all go together and confess our sins to him. Why should we always do evil?”
—“Go to confession, me? It would be the same as seeing the devil! If your holy man had something that could be stolen, I would pay him a visit… But otherwise, no way!”
—“Come at least to keep us company, we bid you.”
—“Hummm…. well then, I’ll go. … But just to please you! Not for God, make no mistake! I’ll go with these holy-holies! I wouldn’t give a dime for all these confessions! But I’m going to have a little fun with them. Today you go to confession, tomorrow you steal even more! It a wolf’s confession, who goes on to devour the hare!”
—“Come anyway, Sir! May God grant you a little humility!”
—“That’s precisely what I do not want! If I became humble and meek no one would fear me any more!”
* * *
When they were ready, they all left together.
They were walking through the mountains as the morning mist was settling like white silk, speaking of goodness.
The knights move forward, crying and hitting their chests, asking God forgiveness for their sins. Cutting across the grove, where the morning penetrated, the cortege was followed by the sinner, his heart as hard as rock. He would sing and burst into laughter, mocking the tears of his fellow travelers.
The fields with golden vegetation announced that the holy man’s convent was drawing near.
Arriving at the convent from the solitary and still forest, the knights prepared to enter the abode of the virtuous monk. However, their proud lord stayed at the door, laughing at their stupidity.
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