THE LEAKING POT

                           Water was scarce in a remote Indian village. A poor farmer had to bring water from a distant river for his domestic activities. He had two old metallic pots. He hung the pots to the ends of a strong stick. He rested the stick on his shoulders across his neck so that the pots hung on either side of the farmer. He filled the pots to the brim with water from the river and returned to his house. Soon he observed that there was a hole in one of the pots and water was dripping out continuously through the perforation. By the time he reached his house, the leaking pot was half-empty. The other pot was perfect and delivered a full load of water. As it was difficult to buy a new pot, he continued to use the combination of the perfect and leaking pots to carry water from the river to his house every day.

                           Three years later, a close friend of the farmer paid a visit to this village. He accompanied the farmer to the river and back. He discovered the leak and promptly pointed out the fact to the farmer. The farmer smiled and said that he was aware of the leak, right from his first trip from the river. "Then, why didn't you replace the defective pot by a flawless one?", the friend enquired.

                           The wise farmer drew the attention of the guest to the side of the path watered by the leaking pot. There was a long stretch full of  flowering plants on that side of the path, displaying a large number of beautiful flowers with a fine fragrance. Colourful butterflies were flying around them and buzzing bees moved from flower to flower collecting nectar. The farmer explained that he had been hanging the leaked pot to the same side of the path every day and he had planted a variety of flowering plants all along the way, so that they get watered regularly by the leakage from the damaged pot. The blossoms have made the place bright and beautiful. The flowers are being used to decorate the temple and the church in the village. The blossoms have tremendously increased the yield of honey in the beehives of the village, enhancing their prosperity. He sends a lot of flowers for sale in the local market. Thus the water that leaked from the pot has provided beauty and utility. The visitor acknowledged the wisdom and ingenuity of the farmer.

                           Every person has unique features and attributes which are often misinterpreted as imperfections and flaws. But these special qualities may turn out to be blessings in disguise. Looking at the weaknesses we may feel depressed. But no one is useless. There is some good in everyone. The imperfections of individuals create variety in society and make social life rewarding and colourful. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken down or bent out of shape. Let us learn to appreciate the variety and diversity among individuals. Let us observe harmony in variety and unity in diversity in the beautiful and wonderful creations of God.

                         "When I look at the sky, which you have made, at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places - what is man, that you think of him; mere man that you care for him? Yet you made him inferior only to yourself; you crowned him with glory and honour. You appointed him ruler over everything you made; you placed him over all creation" {Psalms 8: 3-6}.

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© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

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This is Story No. 282 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

THE BLIND BEGGARS

                            The Gospels narrate the miraculous curing of a blind beggar by Jesus at Jericho {Mark 10: 46-52; Luke 18: 35-43}. St. Mark identifies him as Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. He was sitting by the side of the road when he heard that Jesus was passing by the road. He cried out in excitement, "Jesus! Son of David, take pity on me!"

                            The people scolded him and asked him to be quiet. But he shouted more loudly. Jesus stopped and called him. Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Teacher, I want to see again." Jesus consoled him, "Then see!  Your faith has made you well." He was cured of his blindness instantly. Then he followed Jesus, giving thanks to God .    

                            There is an interesting legend about Bartimaeus, which has been depicted in plays and a film. When Jesus summoned him, in the excitement, he had left his cloak, walking stick and the beggar's bowl full of coins, by the road side. Jumping with joy after the miraculous recovery, he distributed the coins in the bowl among the beggars and went to meet his nearest friend, another blind beggar who was still begging by the side of the busy road. Bartimaeus was eager to have his friend restore his sight like him. He narrated how Jesus cured him mercifully and asked his friend to approach Jesus who was still at Jericho and receive the gift of sight from Him.

                            Quite unexpectedly, his friend refused the proposal. He thought about his early years and replied firmly, "I do not wish to see this thankless world again!" Then he narrated his bitter experiences following the loss of his vision. He loved his family dearly and had made great sacrifices for his wife and children. But they rejected him as a useless burden when he became blind. They sent him away from his home and he had to become a beggar to earn his livelihood. He was in agony when he remembered those painful moments in his life. Finding that his mission had failed, Bartimaeus sadly bid farewell to his blind friend and returned to Jesus to be His faithful follower forever.

                            A meaningful presentation in the 'Shalom Television' depicted a principled priest who accepted the invitation of a wealthy man to bless his home. Reaching the house, the priest put on his holy vestment and started the formal prayer. Suddenly he noted that the old father of the person was not to be seen anywhere. The priest enquired. The person replied reluctantly that he had shifted his ailing father to an asylum for the aged, as the old man was a burden to his busy life. The priest stopped the ceremony, closed the prayer book and removed the vestment. He declared firmly that he would continue the blessing only after the head of the family was brought back to the house. He counselled the members of the family. His wise words convinced them that their action was cruel and wrong. They hurried to the old age home, met the old father, begged his pardon and respectfully escorted him back to  their home. They informed the priest who readily returned to complete the blessing. He reminded them that God has designed the family in the likeness of Heaven. He quoted the words of Jesus delivered after the transformation of Zacchaeus, "Salvation has come to this house today" {Luke 19: 9}.

                            The Bible teaches, …“Respect your father and mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you” {Exodus 20: 12}.“God’s curse on anyone who dishonours his father or mother” {Deuteronomy 27:16}. “If you curse your parents, your life will end like a lamp that goes out in the dark” {Proverbs 20: 20}.“Honour your father with all your heart, and never forget how your mother suffered when you were born. Remember that you owe your life to them. How can you ever repay them for all they have done for you?” {Sirach 7: 27, 28}.
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© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

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This is Story No. 281 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

PEARL FROM PAIN

                          The 'pearl oyster' is a marine bivalve mollusc of the family 'Pteriidae'. It has a natural procedure to protect itself from foreign substances. Occasionally, by an accident, a foreign particle such as a  grain of sand or a parasite may gain entry into the  inner body of the oyster between the mantle and the shell causing great discomfort, irritation and possibly, pain to the oyster.

                         'Nacre' is the mineral substance secreted by the mantle of the oyster to fashion the shell. As the oyster is unable to expel the intruding foreign body, it initiates a natural defensive reaction. The mantle secretes 'nacre', the smooth, hard, crystalline mineral, layer upon layer around the irritant intruder to coat it and cover it completely. In course of time, the covered irritant becomes a beautiful, silky, lovely and  lustrous gem called a pearl. It has a shimmering iridescence and a special inner glow not found in other types of gems.

                          The coating of nacre consists of microscopic crystals of calcium carbonate, aligned perfectly with one another so that light transmitted along the axis of one crystal is reflected and refracted by another to display a spectacular spectrum of light and colour.

                          A similar situation may arise in our life frequently. Our mind may be hurt and wounded by adverse conditions and the unkind behaviour and harsh words of others. When we are ignored, rejected, misunderstood or ill-treated by prejudice or hatred, our mind gets wounded.

                         By trusting in the infinite love of God, we can let Him cover our wounds and sorrows by several layers of His healing love. Like the pearl made in the oyster from the healing wound, we too can develop precious pearls of peace, strength and sanctity in our mind and soul by the soothing and sanctifying grace of God. It is said that adversity is the best university to perfect our personality.

                         We must accept the sufferings and pain of life with the spirit of sacrifice.  In life, troubles, suffering and failures may fall on us. Let us not worry about them or feel helpless or hopeless. We should not let the troubles defeat us or bury us. Let us use every failure as a stepping-stone and not as a stumbling-block.

                         Our life is like a boat, sailing through the sea of the world. We may be threatened by the tempests of troubles, tribulations and temptations. But we can sail safely if our faith is strong. God has control over the forces of nature. He may give us tests and trials so that we may grow further and stronger, but he never abandons us during hard times. God is with us in our joys and tears throughout our life.

                        “The Lord says…I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for” {Jeremiah 29: 11}.

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© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

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This is Story No. 280 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

SELECTION OF STUDENTS

                       Socrates (469-399 BC) was a great philosopher and teacher of ancient Greece. Several young men approached him with the request that they may be accepted as the students of Socrates. The great teacher performed a simple test to select the suitable students. He asked the aspirants to look into a pond and report to him what each of them had seen in the pond. Most of them said that they had seen their own image in the still water. Socrates sent them away as unqualified to be his students. A few of them reported that they had seen fishes swimming around in the still water. Socrates gladly admitted them to his school. When asked about this test by his senior disciples, he said that those who saw their own image in the water were in love with their own ego and so were useless as students.

                       An egoist or egocentric person is preoccupied with and considers only his own interests, welfare, pleasure, advantage and advancement. He acts with only himself and his own interests in mind. He puts his own interests and needs first in every action without any concern for others. He is self-centred and selfish and thinks too much about oneself and too little about others. Egotists  are boastful and think and talk too often or too much about oneself. They have a very high sense of self-importance.

                      "The Lord hates everyone who is arrogant; He will never let them escape punishment" {Proverbs 16: 5}. "Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall" {Proverbs 16: 18}. "No one is respected  unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin" {Proverbs 18: 12}.

                      "Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised" {Matthew 5: 5}. "For everyone who makes himself great will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be made great" {Luke14: 11}.

                        St. Paul advised, "No one should be looking to his own interests, but to the interests of others" {1 Corinthians 10: 24}. He advised the Philippians, "Don't do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own" {Philippians 2: 3,4}.

                       In his farewell speech to the elders of Ephesus, St. Paul said, "I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, 'There is more happiness in giving than in receiving" {Acts 20: 35}.

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© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

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http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is Story No. 279 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

MOSES AND JESUS

                          Moses prophesied the arrival of a prophet like him {Deuteronomy 18:14-18}. Christians consider this as a prophecy about Jesus Christ. There are several points of similarity between Moses and Jesus.

                          Both Moses and Jesus were Jewish prophets. When Moses was born, Pharaoh had ordered that all newborn Israelite boys should be thrown into the Nile and killed. When Jesus was born, Herod ordered the murder of all boys, two years of age and under.

                          Jochabed, mother of  Moses kept him in a watertight basket of reeds to save him. His elder sister, Miryam (Miriam) remained close, watching him. Mother Mary (Miryam in Hebrew) placed Baby Jesus in a manger and stayed near Him. Miryam loved and supported Moses in his mission. Jesus received the love and support of Mother Mary in His ministry. The daughter of Pharaoh adopted Moses as her son. St. Joseph adopted Jesus as his own son.

                          Moses spent his early years in Egypt. He was sent to the palace of Pharaoh for his safety. Later he came out of Egypt and God anointed him to lead His people in the exodus from the slavery of Egypt. The Holy Family had to flee to Egypt carrying Baby Jesus with them to save His life. They returned from Egypt and He redeemed humanity from the slavery of sin by His Sacred Sacrifice at Calvary.

                          Moses sacrificed his royal privileges to save the Israelites. Jesus gave up His equality with God and became a man to save man from sin {Philippians 2: 6,7}.

                          Away from Egypt, Moses became a shepherd and loved his flock. He physically saved women at a well. Jesus is the good shepherd, ready to die for his flock. He saved a woman spiritually at a well in Samaria, beyond the borders of Israel. Moses and Jesus had to suffer rejection by their own people. Moses received the Law of God from the mountain of Sinai. Jesus proclaimed the new Law of God from the mount of Beatitudes {Matthew 5}.

                          Moses and Jesus fasted for forty days to prepare for their major mission.  Moses  initiated God's covevant with animal blood. The covenant of Jesus was initiated with His own holy blood. God gave through Moses the bread from heaven, Manna. God gave us Jesus as the bread from heaven. Both Moses and Jesus served as mediator, judge, priest and intercessor and were men of prayer who prayed for the forgiveness of man's sin. God provided water for the Israelites through Moses. Jesus gave us the life-giving water for eternal life, the Holy Spirit.

                          Moses was instrumental in making the people walk through water to cross the red sea. Jesus showed His power over nature by walking over water and by calming the tempest and the rough sea. Moses turned water to blood while Jesus turned water to wine and later turned wine to His precious blood. God used Moses to perform many miraculous signs. Jesus surpassed Moses as a miracle worker.

                          Moses selected twelve men and sent them on a special mission. Jesus chose the twelve apostles for His great mission in the world. Moses gathered seventy leaders for special duties. Jesus sent seventy disciples as missionaries. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai his face was shining with the glory of God {Exodus 34: 29, 30, 35}. During the transfiguration at Mount Tabor, the face of Jesus was shining like the sun{Matthew 17: 1-4}.

                          Both Moses and Jesus were aware of the imminent end of their earthly mission. Moses died on the mount of Nebo and Jesus on the mount of Calvary.

                          Moses was the greatest prophet of the Old Testament, {Deuteronomy 34: 10} and the first to perform miracles. God spoke with him face to face. Jesus talked about how Moses lifted up the model of a serpent so that all who looked at it would be saved. Jesus himself was raised on the cross at Calvary so that all who look at Him will be saved from the slavery of sin. Moses was the prophet of the 'Old Covenant'. Jesus is the living Prophet, Priest and King of the New and Everlasting Covenant - the Church.

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© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally,  Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is Story No. 278 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.