Stories for Young Readers
UBUNTU
Colleen Robus
© The School of Truth
Source p. 124, Apr / May 2007 - The Path of Truth
The day Ubuntu was born was a day like no other. Everything was bathed in gentle sunlight and the very colours of nature seemed to glow. No-one knew why this was so. It was just a glorious day that somehow stayed in the memories of those who experienced it.
The villagers celebrated Ubuntu's birth with great joy. Babies were always welcomed in the world in this way. Ubuntu's mother sat with her little girl-child in her arms, knowing in her heart that she was special, though she was no more beautiful than the other babies.
The months crept by and Ubuntu learned to toddle, then walk. On her delicate face she always wore a smile, and the village folk took care not to behave harshly around her for fear of disturbing the feeling of peace that surrounded her. Their treatment of Ubuntu became a general habit, so that visitors from other villages began to notice a new sense of peace and happiness in the "village of Ubuntu", which is what they began to call the place where she lived.
Over the years Ubuntu grew into a gentle and loving young maiden, slow to anger. Oh yes, there were times when she would be angry - if you could call a gentle furrowing of the brow and flashing of the eyes anger. The person at whom this anger was directed would immediately realise that their action had caused discomfort and stop. The villagers thrived because its people began to share, not only their material goods but also their joys and sorrows. It was noticed by all who came to trade and even those who were simply passing by.
Sadly, love and peace in some often cause envy in others, because most people don't know how to make it happen. As Ubuntu would say "Their eyes are not yet open." So it was one day that the richest and meanest Chief in the land said to himself "If Ubuntu came to live in our village I could be wealthier. I could gain control of the whole land." In the early hours of a dark, cold, winter's morning the Chief's soldiers came creeping stealthily towards Ubuntu's village. How amazed they were to see Ubuntu standing by herself on a rise waiting for them, and to find that she came with them quite willingly. They did not bother to notice the tears that streamed down her cheeks, or to understand that she had come willingly in order to save her people from them.
Ubuntu was kept in a small cell. The Chief would visit her every day and ask her for her secret. "I have no secret" she would say, but the Chief tried to wear her down. "Please allow me to walk in your garden for one hour a day, Sir, for my health is waning." At first the Chief refused but after a while he could not bear to look at the sorrow on her face, and a strange feeling came upon him - a sort of twisting pain in his chest.
Oh how the hour in the garden made Ubuntu bloom! She sang in her pure, clear voice and her words would float on the wings of angels and touch the hearts of these fearful people. Slowly the villagers began to wait eagerly for the beautiful song. At first they would hum along quietly for fear of being heard by the chief, but then hope seized their hearts and they began to sing aloud. The Chief threatend them to stop it but no-one obeyed. The villagers started smiling and being less fearful. They began to share their troubles under their Chief. Strangely, things in the village began to improve!
The people began to think how unfair it was for Ubuntu to be imprisoned, and began to make plans to return her to her own village. They were quite certain her gift of joy would stay with them. They could hardly imagine how her village must be pining for her.
So a few brave villagers chose a particularly dark night. When they got to the wall of her cell they could hear her gentle and beautiful humming and tears came to their eyes. As the last of the band climbed over the cell wall, they were blinded by a bright lantern. The voice of the Chief boomed out "Take her! Take the evil witch! She has done strange things to my heart!"
So it was that Ubuntu was returned to her village - and yes - her people did live happily ever after. The strange thing is that right through the ages rumours persist of a beautiful young maiden visiting villages, towns and large cities, smiling gently and singing joyful songs. Have you heard her?
There is within us each the Child of God, Who longs to bring comfort and happiness to everyone we meet.
(Ref. CR 0704)
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