The Broken Calabash – A Lesson on Kindness for Every Young Child.

The Story of Ada and the Beggar Woman

In Peace Village, where the harmattan wind blew red dust across the roads and market women sold fresh akara by the roadside, lived Ada, a 9-year-old girl with a heart as bright as her smile.

One afternoon, as Ada carried a calabash of garri home from the market, she saw an old woman sitting under a tree, her clothes torn, her hands trembling.

"Nne, are you hungry?" Ada asked.

The woman nodded weakly. "I have not eaten since yesterday."

Ada hesitated. The garri was for her family’s dinner. But then she remembered her Sunday School teacher’s words: "When you show kindness, you are serving God."

She knelt beside the woman, broke the garri into two, and gave her half.

"Thank you, my child," the woman whispered. "God will bless you."

That night, Ada’s mother noticed the half-empty calabash. "Ada, where is the rest?"

Ada lowered her head. "Mummy, I gave some to a hungry woman."

Instead of scolding her, her mother smiled. "Come, let me tell you a story."

The Tale of the King’s Disguise

Long ago, a great king wanted to test the hearts of his people. So he dressed as a poor beggar and walked through the village.

Most people ignored him. Some even chased him away.

But one little girl, Ngozi, saw him shivering in the cold. She gave him her only wrapper and a piece of roasted corn.

The next day, the king returned in his royal robes and announced:

"Because Ngozi showed kindness to a stranger, she will dine in my palace forever!"

The villagers were shocked. "If only we had known it was the king!"

But the king replied, "Whatever you do for the least of people, you do for me."

Ada’s Reward

Ada’s eyes sparkled. "Mummy, was that woman… an angel?"

Her mother laughed. "Maybe not an angel, but God sees every act of love. And one day, He will reward you—maybe here, maybe in heaven."

The next market day, Ada saw the old woman again—but this time, she was dressed well and holding a basket of fruits.

"My daughter," the woman said, "my son came back from the city and took me home. I prayed for you, and God told me to bless you." She handed Ada the basket.

📖 What the Bible Says:

- Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.

- Matthew 25:40 – Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Me.

- Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

📝 CTYBC Takeaway Lessons for Our Nigerian Children & Teens:

✅ Kindness is never wasted—God sees every good deed.

✅ You don’t have to be rich to help—even small acts matter.

✅ True greatness is serving others, not just yourself.

✅ God often blesses us through people we least expect.

✅ Treat everyone with love, because they matter to God.

At CTYBC, we are raising a generation that knows kindness is true strength!

💬 Parents & Teachers: Let’s teach our children that a caring heart is more valuable than money.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify God." – Matthew 5:16