The preacher and the farmer

An old hill farmer trudged for miles through heavy snow to attend the Sunday service at a small, remote chapel. When he arrived, he found he was the only one there besides the clergyman.“ I’m not sure it’s worth going ahead with the service,” said the clergyman. “Perhaps we’d both be better off heading home for something warm.” The old man replied, “Well, I’m just a simple farmer. But when I go to feed my herd, and only one animal shows up, I sure don’t let it go hungry.” Feeling humbled, the clergyman decided to proceed. He gave the full service hymns, readings, sermon  everything as if the chapel were full. After nearly two hours, he ended with a proud reflection on duty: “No matter how small the audience, our responsibility to serve remains.”

As the two men walked home, the clergyman asked, “Was that okay?” The old farmer smiled and said, “Well, I’m just a simple farmer. But when only one animal shows up... I don’t force it to eat what I brought for the whole herd.”

Food for thought

Doing your duty is noble but true wisdom lies in knowing how to adapt that duty to the real needs of the one in front of you.