Did they kill him, too?
Ira Glass was wonderful last night! I’m still trying to remember all the bits he did, though. This was one that made me cry, though… The only reference that I could find to it, online, that seemed to really tell the whole story, was on this cached page
The story that hit me the hardest was about a 4-year-old girl and her father as they talked about love on a cold December evening. It went something like this:
Girl: Dad, what’s Christmas?
Dad: That’s when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Girl: Who’s that?
The father was not particularly religious, so they went out and bought a children’s Bible and read stories about the early life of Jesus. The girl loved the stories. She was particularly impressed with Jesus’ message of doing unto others as you would have others do unto you. A couple of weeks went by and the girl and her father drove past a church. In front was a giant crucifix.
Girl: Who’s that?
The father winced a little and realized he never finished the story about Jesus. He told his daughter that Jesus’ message of love was so frightening and intimidating to those in power that they felt threatened and they killed him. She thought about that.
A couple more weeks went by and the girl was on holiday from school, because it was Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The father and the girl went out for breakfast and there was a picture of Dr. King on a placemat.
Girl: Who’s that?
Dad: That’s Martin Luther King, Jr. He’s the reason why you have off school today. We’re celebrating his birthday.
Girl: What did he do?
Dad: He was a preacher.
Girl: (Excitedly) For Jesus?
Dad: Yes, for Jesus.
Girl: What was his message?
Dad: He told everyone that they should be kind to one another no matter what the other person looked like.
Girl: That’s like Jesus’ message.
Dad: Yeah, I suppose it is.
The girl thinks for a moment.
Girl: Did they kill him too?
:applause:
Wow…
it is a nice story but It makes me sad… I am not sure I could ever show that to my children at a young age. I would never want them to fear sticking up for themselves and the people that they love. The way that Jesus and Dr. King did.
Comment by Penny — October 3, 2005 @ 5:00 pm
Being a leader involves taking risks. If ever we needed leadership in every part of pur lives, it is now. Let’s pray that President Obama has the opportunity to fullfil the leadership potential he has already demonstrated.
Comment by Lloyd Graves — January 20, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
Wow. That’s a great story. Thank you for sharing it. I love that the little girl responded so much to the message of Jesus even though she wasn’t raised knowing him. That’s powerful stuff.
Comment by Zombie Girrrl — January 18, 2011 @ 3:03 am