My granddaughter used to walk up to me and ask what I was doing on my laptop? I would reply that I was blogging. She would then ask why are you writing a blog? I would reply so that others shall read. Yesterday I decided to read something from my blog to her. I chose to read the story of the saint known as "Holy Shadow" that I posted last since she is fond of stories.
Let me tell you one very famous Sufi story, “The Holy Shadow.” There once lived a saint so good that the angels came from heaven to see how a man could be so godly. This saint went about his daily life diffusing virtue as the stars diffuse light and the flowers scent, without being aware of it. His day could be summed up by two words — he gave, he forgave — yet these words never passed his lips. They were expressed in his ready smile, his kindness, forbearance, and charity.The angels said to God, “Lord, grant him the gift of miracles.”God replied, “Ask what it is that he wishes.”They said to the saint, “Would you like the touch of your hands to heal the sick?”“No,” answered the saint. “I would rather God do that.”“Would you like to convert guilty souls and bring back wandering hearts to the right path?”“No, that is the angels’ mission. It is not for me to convert.”“Would you like to become a model of patience, attracting men by the luster of your virtues, and thus glorifying God?”
I had hardly completed reading the third question from the angels when she told me this (story sounds like) is like "Green Eggs & Ham." This three-year-old could relate the mode of the story with that of Dr. Seuss's famous story. This story was a family favorite with us reading it to my elder daughter and later younger daughter when they were kids and now to our granddaughter.
It amazes me how quickly these kids can grab the nuances of things told. We have to prepare ourselves to learn a lot from them.