Introduction
As a small boy, Cuthbert had been approached at playtime by a toddler who told him in the most grown-up fashion to cultivate mind as well as body. Some years later, though long before he became a monk, another unearthly visitor came by.
‘WHOSOEVER hath,’ said Christ, ‘to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance.’ In other words, St Bede tells us, to him who has determination and loves virtue, more and more wonderful things will happen. That was true of Cuthbert. As a child he had spoken with an angel, and when he was still a young man it happened again.
Cuthbert was outside, lying on a bed in the fresh air hoping to get some relief from a severe leg pain, when up rode a horseman, dressed all in white. He stopped by the litter, but Cuthbert did not get up. ‘Is this’ inquired the rider with mock severity ‘how we treat our guests?’
‘Alas yes,’ replied Cuthbert. ‘For my sins, I have a swollen knee, which no doctor has been able to relieve. Otherwise I would do whatever lay in my power.’ Straightaway the stranger slipped down from his mount (a horse almost as noble as his rider) and came over to examine Cuthbert’s knee.
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