Story 008b
Amina of Matadi, The Girl Who Inspired Many.
Story 8 Amina of Matadi, The Girl Who Inspired Many.
In the village of Matadi in Congo, children would regularly gather to study and play. Amina was one of them. Initially, she wasn't popular among the other children because she often lied, wasn't polite, and wasn't very helpful.
However, this started to change when Amina joined the Ssssb classes and began to apply the values she learned. She started speaking kindly and lovingly, became more helpful, and stopped lying. At first, Amina didn't realize she was changing. What she did notice was that the others began to like her more and more. She first thought that the others had changed, but later she realized it was because she herself had changed.
Her new approach to life made her much happier. Before, she would focus on the faults of others and only see her own good qualities. But with the teachings of the Ssssb class, she reversed this: she began to see the good in others and looked for things within herself that she could improve.
When the village faced a major problem - it hadn't rained for a long time and all the water in the wells had dried up - Amina came up with a solution. Instead of each of the 108 families digging shallow wells from which no water came, Amina suggested dividing the families into four groups and digging four deep wells. This idea worked: there was plenty of water again for people, animals, and plants. Amina was seen as an inspirer and a role model. Other villages adopted Amina's idea and they too had water again. Amina became a symbol of hope and success for the community and became a beloved girl who taught others about kindness, service, and honesty.
Amina's loving heart shone like a bright star, and her influence wasn't limited to just Matadi or even Congo. She inspired countless individuals and became a role model for people both within and outside of Congo.
Question for today: Have you, like Amina, experienced that people appreciated you more after you put the Ssssb values into practice?
Five questions of story 8, Amina of Matadi, The Girl Who Inspired Many.
1) Why was Amina initially not popular among other children?
A) She was very shy.
B) She often lied and wasn't polite.
2) What changed Amina's behavior and attitude towards others?
A) A vacation she took.
B) Joining the Ssssb classes and applying the values she learned.
3) What was Amina's solution to the water problem?
A) To pray for rain.
B) Divide the families into groups and dig four deep wells.
4) After the water solution, how did the village view Amina?
A) As a troublemaker.
B) As an inspirer and role model.
5) What shone like a bright star, symbolizing Amina's love and kindness?
A) A special necklace she wore.
B) Her heart.