The Indian Chief

26/01/2012
Fr. Jose Kaimlett

The Indian Chief

A professor met a very old South American Indian who always seemed to be happy and contented. So he asked him, “How is it that you are always in such good humour? That you are not sad and downcast like so many other men of your age? What keeps your soul and body so healthy?”

“It is my attitude, my frame of mind that makes me cheerful and gives me strength. Look! I am aware that there are hungry people around me, whereas I never ever had to hunger. I am aware that there are sick people, and that I have never been seriously ill. I am aware that there are people who are enslaved, whereas I myself have always been
free. That awareness makes me happy.”

The professor then said, “What you say could all be true; but are you not also aware that there are people who are mightier than you and richer and more fortunate and wiser?”

To which the chief replied, “Look, stranger, when I see people around me who are richer and more powerful and luckier and wiser, then I look at myself and see that I have the same potential in me. Don’t you think that is enough reason for me to be happy and thankful?”

– Bert Balling

The potential we have – and all of us have it in abundance – is God’s gift to us; what we make of it is our gift to God. Remember the parable of talents.

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