James Hahn

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16 comments on The Moral of the Story

The Moral of the Story

This post is an entry for a writing contest. But what I would like to do is make it a contest in itself as well for you regular readers. In the comment section post your “moral of the story”. I’ll pick the one I like the best on “black Friday” (November 28th) and send you a handmade rosary in the color of your choosing.
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James was a proud candle. Being expertly handcrafted of the finest, pure beeswax by a renowned candle maker gave him every right to be proud.

The candle maker sent him to the basilica to be used for mid-night Mass on Christmas. A candle like James could not ask for a higher honor.

About an hour before the service an altar server placed James in a candle holder and tried to light him. However, James did not want to be lit. He wanted to stay just as perfect as the day he was created so James blew out the flame that was being held to his head. After re-lighting his wick, the server tried again to light James but again, James blew the flame out. After a few moments, the server, tired of this nonsense, removed James from the holder and replaced him with another candle. James watched with pride as the other candle was lit and began to melt.

The server took James and placed him on a table and left him there during the service. When Mass was over, the server took James home and placed a bow around him and left him on the kitchen table. James was very proud of the bow. He imagined that it was a great reward for being so perfect.

The next morning the server presented the candle to his mother. She too tried to light James but once again he blew out the flame. The server told his mother that he too had had the same problem at Mass the night before. The mother took the candle, melted it down, and mixed it with tallow and oil to use for waterproofing their boots and gloves.

UPDATE: I am awarding Barbara the rosary for her moral to the story – Pride will bring down the greatest of men. Thanks to all for reading and to Lindsay for the contest. I really enjoyed it!

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16 responses to “The Moral of the Story”

  1. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Matthew 25: 14 – 30 ——————————————————————————– 14 “For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' <BR />21 His master said to him,Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' <BR />23 His master said to him,Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; <BR />25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' <BR />26 But his master answered him,You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’

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  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Excellent take on Matthew, Matthew!

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  3. Avatar
    Anonymous

    We realize our true purpose when we give ourselves away in love to others.Thanks…and I’ll just make my own rosary.

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  4. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Spouses should be disqualified. (Thanks Jim).

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  5. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thanks mnmleblanc1. I should probably disqualify all relatives…

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  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Technically, we are not related.

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  7. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Boot wax, aww, that’ll teach that prissy candle, hah.Great story, James, and thanks for entering! I’m going to have to come back on Friday to see what you pick for the moral. 😉

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  8. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Pride will bring down the greatest of men (uh, candles).

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  9. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Matthew 25: 14 – 30 ——————————————————————————– 14 “For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. 17 So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' <BR />21 His master said to him,Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' <BR />23 His master said to him,Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; <BR />25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' <BR />26 But his master answered him,You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’

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  10. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Excellent take on Matthew, Matthew!

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  11. Avatar
    Anonymous

    We realize our true purpose when we give ourselves away in love to others.Thanks…and I’ll just make my own rosary.

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    Reply
  12. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Spouses should be disqualified. (Thanks Jim).

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  13. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Thanks mnmleblanc1. I should probably disqualify all relatives…

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  14. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Technically, we are not related.

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  15. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Boot wax, aww, that’ll teach that prissy candle, hah.Great story, James, and thanks for entering! I’m going to have to come back on Friday to see what you pick for the moral. 😉

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  16. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Pride will bring down the greatest of men (uh, candles).

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