Friday, December 23, 2011
A Shoemaker and A President

Lincoln has been recognized as the noblest president of the United States. By the time he became the president, all the parliamentary members were feeling embarrassed as Lincoln’s father was a shoemaker.

Back then, most of the politicians were either from a wealthy or the royal family. They were people from the upper class. Having a president whose father was a shoemaker made them feel awkward.

Before Lincoln was about to give his first speech in the parliament, some had planned of teasing him.

As President Lincoln stepped on the stage, one arrogant senator stood up and said “Mr. Lincoln, before you begin your speech, I’d like you to remember that you’re the son of a shoemaker.”

Everyone was laughing at him for that.

But Lincoln waited for everyone’s laughter to stop, then he said “I thank you for reminding me of my father. He’s passed away, but I’ll remember your advice forever. I’m forever the son of a shoemaker. But I know I couldn’t be a good president like my father was being a shoemaker.”

His words plunged the parliament into silent. Lincoln said towards the arrogant senator “As far as I know, my father made shoes for your family as well. If your shoes aren’t fit anymore, I could repair them for you. I might not be as good as my father, but I’ve always learned from him ever since I was a kid.”

Then, he turned to the rest of the senators and said “This goes the same to all of you. If your shoes were made by my father, I could fix them for you if they’re no longer in good condition. But I’m regret to say that my skills may not be as good as him.” Tears began to flow out of Lincoln’s eyes. The laughter turned into applause for him.

Lincoln never became a great shoemaker, instead he became a noble president. One of the things that made him noble, is that he never forgets his father as a shoemaker. He had always been proud of that.

Sometimes, judgement and ridicule are the steps that lead us to confidence.
Those who had never been laughed may not understand darkness. They may never learn to lit up a lantern in their hearts.



Postscript:

It’s unnecessary for a noble person to come from an outstanding family. When a person never lived through hardship, he might not learn to understand other people. Most people could not seem to understand others and ended up doing things selfishly.

Lincoln’s father may be a shoemaker, but we could still see his personality from Lincoln. If we couldn’t even remember our parent’s kindness, how are we supposed to educate the future generation? How do we achieve recognition from the public? Ikeda Sensei once explained “A noble person must not forget one’s kindness. We’re considered human only when we live with gratitude.”

Lincoln grew up learning from his father, so he could understand his father’s struggles in life. I believe he must have had the intention to help people. That’s why he became such a noble person! Those who have such intentions are always better than those who chase after fame and profit.

Our mentor, Ikeda Sensei is also a noble person! But was he from a very wealthy family? Was he from any of the royal family? Sensei grew up during the ages of war. His father was ill and couldn’t work when he was still a kid. War had taken his brother away from the family. It was hard for the family to survive through all these challenges. He was the one who worked with his mother to hold the family tight. He grew up learning from his mother, looking at her struggles.

His previous experience educated him on how tragic it could be to have war. This gave birth to a noble person at this era who continuously challenge for world peace. It’s Ikeda Sensei!

One’s family background acts as a training. If we were never defeated by any challenges, nothing could stop us. We could only achieve growth through these training in life. Please remember that there’s nothing wrong to have come from a a poor or usual family. The important issue is how we strive from such poor condition to become a noble person who’s strong in faith and personality. We must aim to make our family proud.

Judgment and ridicule are the steps that lead us to confidence. The more steps we take, the closer we are to our aims. Such strong faith would bring us victory at the end!

Ikeda Sensei once said “It is not one’s position, fame, or wealth that determines his greatness. Whether a person is noble or not, it depends on his action, faith and intention.”

Anyone could become someone noble as long as we take action for the sake of other’s happiness.

Hence, everyone is a noble person.

As Sensei’s disciples, we must never be easily affected by people’s words. Please always remember that you have a noble mentor and that you must follow his great mission to strive for advancement!


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Written at 11:50 AM by Paper Pilot.