BY SARAH R
In a village beneath Mount Meru lived a girl named Neema, who could not walk. Each morning, she sat beneath an old tree weaving baskets and greeting everyone kindly. Some children mocked her, believing she had nothing valuable to offer.
One evening, heavy rain flooded the village. The river swept away the bridge, leaving several children stranded across the water.
While others panicked, Neema called, “Bring my strongest baskets and the long ropes!”
She showed the villagers how to weave a sturdy rescue cradle. One by one, the children were pulled safely across.
Ashamed, the village elder bowed before her.
“We saw your disability,” he said, “but failed to see your wisdom.”
Neema smiled. “Every person deserves respect even when they have nobody to rescue.”
From that day, the villagers taught their children: A person’s worth is never measured by how they walk, speak, hear or see but by their shared humanity.
By Reshall
