The Greatest Helper
In the town of Kindville, there were two brothers, Jack and Max, who loved playing soccer. They dreamed of becoming the best players in their school. One day, the coach announced that he was choosing a new team captain, and Jack and Max both wanted to be chosen.
“I’m going to be the captain because I’m the fastest,” Jack boasted.
Max shook his head. “No, I’ll be the captain because I score the most goals.”
The boys were so busy trying to prove who was better that they didn’t notice a girl named Lily, sitting on the bench, struggling to tie her soccer shoes.
During the next game, both brothers tried their hardest to impress the coach. They ran fast, scored goals, and made big plays, but something still felt off. After the game, the coach gathered the team and asked, “Who do you think should be the captain?”
Jack raised his hand, and so did Max, but then, to their surprise, Lily’s name was called.
Lily looked surprised. “Me? But I’m not the best player.”
The coach smiled and said, “You’re the greatest because, while others were busy trying to be the best, you took time to help your teammates. I saw you tying a younger player’s shoes and sharing your water. Being a captain isn’t about being the best on the field; it’s about serving others, just like Jesus taught.”
Jack and Max looked at each other, realizing they had missed the point. The coach continued, “Jesus once taught His disciples that those who want to be great must be servants. True greatness comes from helping others, not just being the best.” From that day on, Jack and Max stopped trying to outdo each other and instead started helping their teammates, just like Lily. They realized that being great wasn’t about being first, but about being a great helper to everyone.
A children’s story based on the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time: This story teaches the lesson from Mark 10:35-45, emphasizing that true greatness comes through service, just as Jesus taught His disciples.