The Wise Master and the Tiny Servant

Completed November 6, 2006

This is my first time to write something like this. It is like a narration with conversation, but the conversation is in poem form.

The servant in the poem is very complacent and mediocre in what he does. He makes up excuses to avoid bigger tasks. You can say he had a comfort zone and was afraid to leave that area. The Master knew this so he decided to teach him a lesson. In the end, we are reminded to strive for excellence just as in the Bible: be faithful in the small things - all of these in preparation for something bigger where more responsiblity and accountability is needed.

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Narrator:
This is a tale of a tiny servant
Who served daily in his Master’s mansion.
He had the habit of saying “I can’t”
Which drew about the Master’s attention.

Narrator:
This is a narration of their conversation…

Master:
Servant, why do you belittle yourself?
Have you no sense of spirit or passion?
You’re not a worn-out book left on the shelf.
You should have more positive reactions.

Servant:
How can I be of use to you my Lord?
I am but a mere servant of your house.
I could not fight nor wield a heavy sword.
I am just like a coward little mouse.

Servant:
I cannot think and speak like the scholars.
Nor can I buy and sell as the merchants.
I can only clean all your shirt’s collars
And water and care for the mansion’s plants.

Master:
You must have heard of the tiny spider
And how it persevered throughout the rain.
From branches to branches like a glider,
Spinning its web again without complain.

Master:
Or the story of the little flowers
And how they endured the winds of the storm.
They call this rain but mere tickly showers –
Just something needed for them to transform.

Servant:
But Master, I am but a small weakling!
I am not perfect, nor is what I do.
I’m not fit to serve someone like a King.
I’m just of no use to someone like You!

Master:
Have you forgotten that I brought you here?
Have you failed to recognize my own acts?
It was my own will that wanted you near.
Maybe you should try to think and relax.

Narrator:
After thinking awhile, the servant could not smile.
Not because of hatred, but of the truth that’s been said.

Servant:
Indeed, you have been very good to me.
Yet I repaid you with pangs and heartaches.
I ask for your pardon – this is my plea.
I promise not to make the same mistakes.

Servant:
If I had fixed my ugly attitude,
Master, none of these should have had happened.
I want to give to you my gratitude
As I try hard not to hurt or offend.

Narrator:
This servant grew not only in his faith,
His Master also gave him bigger tasks.
When His Master would ask him to do work,
His new reply would be “No need to ask!”