Richard the Lion Heart

Stuck fast, his little head caught in the unyielding grip of stone, Richard’s cries rang out — so hauntingly similar to those of a human baby. And cries that would pierce the air and the hearts of those who followed them to him.

Richard’s plight was not unlike the fabled sword Excalibur, locked in stone, awaiting only the purest act of human kindness to set him free. And yet, his liberation was no simple task. It required effort, tenderness, and the will to endure his harrowing protests.

Once released from his stony prison, that freedom came at a cost, etched into his fragile body. His temples were raw and bruised, his shoulders swelled and ached, while his delicate legs buckled beneath him.

The sight of one so young in such a precarious state left us wondering: had help and kindness come too late?

Yet, true to his name, Richard’s spirit remained unbroken. With gentle coaxing and the ingenuity of a makeshift sling fashioned from a humble shopping bag, this courageous kid began to find his footing. And in doing so, he found something else — a permanent place in our hearts.

His soft, goaty bleats as he did so carried a note of his stoic determination — a sound that will stay with us forever. It was a sound that said, “Hey, look at me. I goat this!”

There is a saying: “True courage is not the absence of fear but the will to persevere just a moment longer.” Richard embodies this truth. He reminds us that even in our darkest moments, even when the world feels impossibly heavy and seems like it wants to squash the life out of us, there is strength in holding on just a little bit longer.

Today, Richard the Lion Heart stands, albeit somewhat wobbly, not only as a testament to resilience but as a symbol of the kindness that saved him. 

May we all carry a little of Richard’s spirit within us, finding strength in the moments we need it most.