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 Ass's Brains
In the unique moral story "The Ass's Brains," a Lion and a Fox deceive an Ass into a meeting under the pretense of forming an alliance, leading to the Lion capturing the Ass for dinner. While the Lion naps, the cunning Fox eats the Ass's brains and cleverly justifies his actions by claiming the Ass must have been brainless for falling into the trap. This tale, often included in top 10 moral stories, teaches valuable lessons about wit and the consequences of naivety, making it a fitting narrative for moral stories for class 7.
The Bitch and Her Whelps
In the short story "The Bitch and Her Whelps," a dog seeks a shepherd's permission to give birth and raise her puppies in a safe spot. As the puppies grow and become protective, the Bitch claims exclusive ownership of the area, ultimately preventing the shepherd from coming near. This educational moral story teaches the importance of gratitude and the consequences of overstepping boundaries, making it a valuable lesson for personal growth.
The Two Fellows and the Bear
In this entertaining moral story, two travelers face a bear in the woods, leading one to hide in a tree while the other lies flat on the ground. After the bear leaves, the tree-dweller mocks his friend, only to learn a valuable lesson: never trust a friend who deserts you in a pinch. This short bedtime story highlights the importance of loyalty and the lessons learned from stories that resonate with readers.
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.