The poem below was inspired by “Try Something Different” by Price Pritchett, a story that appeared in the original Chicken Soup for the Soul.
True freedom does not mean doing what I want, but freely choosing to obey the will of Christ, Who is the Door to freedom itself (John 10:9). How sad we become when we attempt to seek freedom apart from God’s will!
A housefly hurls itself against a windowpane
Again, again, again, and again.
It wants escape. It seeks the light.
It tries anew with all its might.
None can fault this stubborn fly
For lacking willingness to try.
Yet, despite the strain, its efforts remain
Utterly and completely in vain!
The sounds of its struggle readily betray
That this insect throws its life away.
The clear glass shows an open field,
But never will one bit it yield.
It looks as though our fly will die,
Unless another way it try.
Doesn’t it make you want to cry?
A way of exit can be found.
Little housefly, look around!
Just ten feet away–not one inch more–
Is a big, wide-open door!
How very easy it would be
For our poor housefly to be free!
But (alas!) it just won’t see!