MORAL STORIES

A VALIANT WARRIOR

Achilles was a handsome hero and the greatest and mightiest warrior of the Trojan War in Greek mythology described in Homer’s Iliad. He wore strong metallic armour over his body. His enemies could not wound him. He fought heroically, killing a large number of Trojan warriors including Hector, son of Priam, the king of Troy. He distinguished himself as an invincible warrior. His enemies identified an unprotected and vulnerable area in his body - his heels. Finally, Priam’s son, Paris, aided by Apollo, wounded Achilles in his heel with an arrow, which was possibly poisoned. Achilles died of this wound in the heel, the only vulnerable point in his whole body.

The term ‘Achilles’ heel’ refers to a person’s principal weakness that can lead to his downfall.

Satan is an expert in identifying the weak spots in our character to attack us and destroy the grace of God. Satan tempted Judas Iscariot who loved money, to betray Jesus for money {John 12:6 and 13: 12}.

St. Peter warns us, “Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” {1 Peter 5:8}.

St. Paul advises us, “Put on all the armour that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks” {Ephesians 6:11}. St. Paul lists the virtues that serve as our armour: “So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight round your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the good news of peace. At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the evil one. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the spirit gives you” {Ephesians 6: 14-17}.

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This is Story No. 122 in this site. Please click 'older posts' at bottom of page to read previous stories in this site.

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.