A Sufi Story

There is a Sufi story about a man who is so good that the angels ask God to give him the gift of miracles. God wisely tells them to ask him if that is what he would wish.

So the angels visit this man and offer him first the gift of healing hands, then the gift of conversion of souls and lastly the gift of virtue. He refuses them all. They insist he choose one or they will choose for him. "Very well," he replies. "I ask that I may do a great deal of good without ever knowing it."

The angels were perplexed but devised a plan. Everywhere the man's shadow fell behind him it would have the power to cure disease, soothe pain and comfort sorrow. As he walked, behind him his shadow made dry paths green, caused flowers to bloom, brought color to pale children and joy to unhappy men and women. The saint simply went about his daily life diffusing virtue, as the moon and stars diffuse light, or as flowers share their scent, without even being aware of it.

The people, respecting his humility, followed him silently and never spoke of his miracles. Soon they even forgot his name and called him, "The Holy Shadow."

We can effect change in others' lives, often while merely passing through. A random act of kindness (at one time it was called chivalry), opening a door for someone, a smile and hello, or extending a hand in friendship may be just the miracle someone needs to make their day tolerable.

While it seems at times the world is growing more unfriendly, I believe it is a collective lack of concern for the good we can each do merely by being present. After all the harm I have caused in my life I doubt I will ever be universally considered a good man. But I believe we can all be considered good by the few whose lives we actually touch, or even just pass throuugh.