The Little Leader
Once upon a time, a boy named Daniel lived in a small village. Daniel was kind, gentle, and always eager to help others, no matter how small the task. He was known for sharing his toys, helping his neighbors, and always having a smile on his face.
One day, while Daniel and his friends were playing in the village square, they noticed a group of grown-ups gathered around, talking in serious voices. Curious, the children quietly approached and listened.
The grown-ups were arguing about who was the most important person in the village. Some said it was the farmer who provided food, others argued it was the blacksmith who made tools, and some thought it was the mayor who made decisions for the village.
As the argument grew louder, a wise old man who had been watching from a distance walked over to the group. “Why are you arguing?” he asked gently.
“We want to know who is the greatest in our village!” one of the villagers replied.
The old man smiled and looked around at the children nearby. He called Daniel over and placed his hand on his shoulder. “The greatest person in this village is not the one with the most power or the most important job. It is the one who has a heart like this child—humble, kind, and always willing to help others.”
The grown-ups were surprised. “But he is just a child!” they exclaimed.
“Exactly,” the old man said. “In God’s Kingdom, greatness is not about being powerful or important. It is about being humble, loving, and serving others, just as Daniel does. This is what makes someone truly great.”
From that day on, the villagers looked at Daniel and the other children with new eyes, understanding that true greatness comes from a humble and loving heart.
And Daniel? He continued to be the same kind and helpful boy, never realizing that in God’s eyes, he was the greatest of them all.
A children’s story based on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jesus predicts His passion and teaches about humility, using a child as an example of greatness in God’s Kingdom. Gospel of Luke 11:1-4.