The holy fathers used to say of John, the disciple of Abba Paul, that he possessed the virtues of great humility and obedience to such extent that he would make no objection whatsoever no matter how difficult the tasks the abba set him, nor did he ever grumble.
When a certain tool was needed for the monastery workshop the abbot told him to go to the nearest village to buy it and bring it back as quickly as possible. Now although there was a fierce lioness in that place, the disciple John got up to go immediately as the abba asked. As he went out he said to the abba, “Father, I have heard that many people say there is a fierce lioness in that place.” The abbot half jokingly said to him, “Well if it comes upon you catch it, tie it up, and bring it back here!”
When he got to the place that evening the lioness rushed out at him and he tried to catch it, but the lioness slipped out of his grasp and ran off. John ran after her, crying, “But my abba commanded me to tie you up and bring you back with me.” The animal immediately stood still, and he secured it and led it back in the direction of the monastery.
By this time it was getting late and the abba was getting worried about him, when suddenly John appeared leading the lioness after him. Seeing this the abba was astonished and gave thanks to our Lord and Saviour. “See, father,” John said, “I have brought back the lioness as you said.” The abba decided to teach him humility lest John should think he had done something marvellous and said, “Since you are so stupid, go and take this stupid beast back. Let it go, say goodbye to it, and let it go to its own place.”
