
The Humble Path
By Dr. Sheen Stillwell Elijah

25 Jul, 2023

Once upon a time, in a small village in Tanzania, there lived a wise and revered teacher named Bwana Yusuf. He loved teaching his young students about virtues, using stories from the lives of great people.

One day, he decided to teach them about humility. "Who knows what humility is?" He asked his class. The children stared at him, their eyes wide and curious, waiting for him to enlighten them.

"Humility," he began, "is the quality of being modest and respectful. It's recognizing that we are not superior to others. Now, let me tell you a story about a man named Francis De Sales who embodied this virtue."

The children settled down, their eager faces turned towards Bwana Yusuf as he began his story. "St. Francis De Sales was a great man from a land far far away. He was known for his deep humility."

"From an early age, Francis was kind, obedient and humble. He respected everyone regardless of their status or age. He always treated others the way he wanted to be treated."

"But, his journey to humility was not easy." Bwana Yusuf continued, "His father wanted him to be a great warrior, a leader of soldiers. But Francis felt a deep calling to live a simple, humble life, serving others."

"Despite the pressure, Francis didn't let power or prestige sway him. He chose to humbly follow the call in his heart. This decision wasn't appreciated by his father who felt disappointed."

"However, Francis didn’t argue or fight. He continued to respect his father, showing great humility and patience. He understood his father's point of view and accepted his reaction."

"In time, he became a priest, dedicating his life to helping the poor and needy. He treated everyone with the same respect and kindness, never considering himself superior."

"Francis believed that true humility was accepting yourself as you are, recognizing your strengths and accepting your weaknesses. He lived this belief every day."

"He was a man of few possessions. He lived a simple life, happy with what he had. His humility did not allow him to live luxuriously while others were suffering."

"He was not interested in honors or praises. He knew that true glory came from God, not men. He believed that humility was the mother of all virtues because it made all other virtues possible."

Bwana Yusuf paused, looking at the children thoughtfully. Then he asked, "Do you understand why St. Francis De Sales was so humble?" The children nodded, fascinated by the story.

"He believed that pride separates us from God and from our fellow humans. Humility, on the other hand, brings us closer to God and to each other."

"St. Francis De Sales showed us that true power lies in humility. He showed us that in humbling ourselves, we lift others up, and in doing so, we lift ourselves up too."

"So remember, children," he concluded, "Humility is not about thinking less of yourself. It's about thinking of yourself less. It's about making room for others in your heart."

"With humility, you will find peace and joy. For in recognizing our own humility, we recognize the greatness in others." He stated, his eyes twinkling with wisdom.

The children remained silent for a while, taking in the powerful message of humility. They understood that humility meant respect for themselves and others, simplicity, and selflessness.

From that day, the children worked to be more humble. They learned to respect everyone around them. They learned to be content with what they had and they learned to think less about themselves.

They started sharing more and listening more. The story of St. Francis De Sales had a profound impact on them. They recognized the value of humility and the peace it brings.

As the children grew up, they remembered Bwana Yusuf's teachings and the story of St. Francis De Sales. They strived to lead humble lives, in turn, influencing others with their actions.

The story of St. Francis De Sales and the virtue of humility became a guiding star for them, shaping their attitudes, actions, and lives. They became a beacon of humility in their community.

Through their actions, they taught others about humility. They demonstrated that humility isn't weakness but strength. They showed that humility isn't lowering oneself but lifting others.

Even years later, they still remembered Bwana Yusuf's words, "Humility is the mother of all virtues." These words became a mantra for them, guiding their paths and inspiring their lives.

And so, the lesson of humility, taught through the life of St. Francis De Sales, continued to live on in the small Tanzanian village, inspiring generations to live humble and respectful lives.

The story of St. Francis De Sales served as a testament to the power of humility. It proved that humility could indeed be the mother of all virtues, laying a foundation for a life filled with love, respect, and peace.

The story of the humble saint, taught by the wise Bwana Yusuf, continued to echo in the hearts of the villagers, bolstering their spirits and guiding their actions. And so, the legacy of St. Francis De Sales lived on.

Thus, the children learned one of life's most valuable lessons - that humility, is indeed, a virtue to cherish. A virtue that has the power to transform individuals and communities. A virtue that is mother to all other virtues.

And in this way, the Tanzanian village thrived, its people bound together by the shared belief in the virtue of humility. Forever touched by the story of St. Francis De Sales, they carried his teachings in their hearts and actions.

And so, the story of St. Francis De Sales, as told by Bwana Yusuf, remains etched in the hearts of the villagers. A timeless tale of humility that continues to inspire the little Tanzanian village, generation after generation.

Even today, if you visit this Tanzanian village, you can feel the spirit of humility. You can see it in the way they treat each other, in the way they live their lives. Indeed, humility is the mother of all virtues, just as St. Francis De Sales taught.

And so, the children of Tanzania learned the remarkable lesson of humility from St. Francis De Sales. They understood that humility is more than just modesty; it's about respect for oneself and for others. It is about recognizing that everyone has something to offer.

They learned that humility makes us better people, making us kind, understanding, and patient. They learned that with humility, we can open our hearts to others, paving the way for compassion, kindness, and love to flourish.

This story serves as a reminder to all of us about the importance of humility. Just like the children in the story, we too can learn to embrace humility, remembering that it is indeed the mother of all virtues.

So, let us all strive for humility in our lives, following the example of St. Francis De Sales. And remember, that in being humble, we don't belittle ourselves; instead, we uplift others and ourselves.