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From Leslie Griffiths, Methodist Minister:       

This is the week of a thousand and one tales. Children across the land are no doubt already trying their hand at writing a 500 word story. It’s such an exciting prospect that I want to have a go too – even though I’m ineligible – I’m just a teeny bit over the age limit. I have just 300 words. My story’s about the way good things can sometimes spring up in unexpected places. Flowers can bloom in the desert or on the dung heap. Let me show you how.

Imagine a man who’s mugged on his way home. A gang armed with baseball bats and knives set upon him. They beat him up to within an inch of his life and take off with his money, his phone and his credit cards. They leave him groaning on the road. People keep their distance. Pillars of society, folks carrying briefcases or out shopping see him but manage to pretend not to. Poor devil.

A refugee on his way to check in at the local police station comes that way. He sees the man and his heart goes out to him. He stops, bends over him, says some encouraging words and rings 999. Within minutes the paramedics are on hand, then an ambulance, and the injured man is soon on his way to hospital. And that should be that. But it isn’t. A few days later, the Syrian Samaritan turns up at the hospital where, thankfully, the wounded man is well on the mend. The visitor hands over a bunch of flowers and the two of them have a long and lovely chat. A friendship has been forged.

This is not my story of course. It’s my up-dated version of a Jesus-story, one of the best known stories of all time. It’s old and yet it’s ageless. So who knows? Once you’ve heard it you might even feel inspired to do things like that yourself.