The Holy Deacon
Story Summary
In "The Holy Deacon," a short tale with a moral, an itinerant preacher enlists a Holy Deacon to collect donations from a reluctant congregation, promising him a quarter of the proceeds. However, after the collection, the Deacon reveals that the hardened hearts of the congregation yielded nothing for him, illustrating a life lesson about the challenge of generosity. This easy small story serves as a poignant reminder for young readers about the complexities of faith and giving in short story collections with moral themes.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that greed and dishonesty can corrupt one's integrity and lead to unjust actions, even in the guise of religious service.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes commonly found in folk tales and morality plays, particularly those rooted in Christian traditions where itinerant preachers traveled to spread their message while sometimes facing the duplicity of local church authorities. It echoes retellings of Aesop's fables and other parables that highlight the tension between genuine faith and the exploitation of religious authority for personal gain, illustrating the moral dilemmas faced by characters in both historical and contemporary contexts. Such narratives served to critique and illuminate the interactions between the faithful, their leaders, and the often-complex relationship with money and ethics within religious communities.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the moral complexity of trust and integrity in communal and financial relationships, a lesson that resonates in modern life, where transparency and honesty are vital in both personal and professional dealings. For instance, in a workplace scenario, a manager might delegate a team member to gather funds for a charity event, only to later discover that the funds were mishandled, emphasizing the importance of accountability and ethical behavior in fostering trust within a community.
You May Also Like
The Goatherd and the WildGoats
In this short and moral story, a Goatherd attempts to win over Wild Goats by feeding them better than his own during a snowstorm. However, when the Wild Goats leave for the mountains, they reveal that his favoritism has made them cautious, teaching a valuable lesson: old friends should not be sacrificed for new ones. This quick read story with moral highlights the importance of loyalty and the dangers of betraying long-standing relationships.
The Shepherd and the Wolf
In this thought-provoking moral story, a shepherd raises a wolf cub and teaches it to steal lambs from nearby flocks. As the wolf becomes adept at thievery, it warns the shepherd that his own teachings may lead to his downfall, highlighting the unexpected consequences of one's actions. This tale is a powerful addition to short story collections with moral lessons, showcasing the importance of being mindful of the values we instill.
The Kite, the Pigeons, and the Hawk
In the fable "The Kite, the Pigeons, and the Hawk," a group of Pigeons turns to a Hawk for help against a Kite's relentless attacks. After the Hawk defeats the Kite, he becomes overindulgent and vulnerable, leading the grateful Pigeons to blind him in a twist of fate. This life-changing story serves as a moral lesson about the dangers of excess and ingratitude in folklore and moral stories.
Other names for this story
The Deacon's Dilemma, The Itinerant's Plea, Harvest of Hearts, The Preacher's Share, Deacon of Deceit, A Holy Misunderstanding, The Price of Faith, The Deacon's Secret
Did You Know?
This story highlights the theme of hypocrisy and the exploitation of faith for personal gain, as the Holy Deacon, who is expected to embody moral integrity, instead chooses to deceive the preacher and the congregation for his own benefit.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.