There was once a little bird that got a late start flying south for the winter. So late, that as he flew it began to snow and sleet and the temperature dropped far below freezing. His wings began to freeze to the point that he could fly no longer, so he made a crash landing. He began to realize that he would die in a pile of snow because he could not fly. Then a cow walked over to him and dropped a pile of manure on him. The little bird thought things had gone from bad to worse, but then realized that the warmth of the manure began to thaw his wings out. In jubilation he began to chirp loudly and constantly. He chirped so loudly and constantly that a nearby cat heard him and ran over, fetched him out of the manure and ate him at once. 

Three lessons:

1. Not everyone who drops manure on you is your enemy.
2. Not everyone who pulls you out of manure is your friend.
3. When you’re momentarily stuck in a pile of manure, keep your mouth closed.

Proverbs 27:6 – “Wounds from a sincere friendare better than many kisses from an enemy.”