The Good Samaritan

One day, Jesus was teaching a group of people on a sunny hillside. Everyone loved to hear his stories!

A man raised his hand. 'Teacher,' he asked, 'the rules say to love my neighbor. But who is my neighbor?'

Jesus smiled. 'Let me tell you a story,' he said. Everyone leaned in close to listen.

'Once,' Jesus began, 'a man was walking from Jerusalem to Jericho. It was a long and dangerous road.'

The road went through rocky hills where robbers liked to hide. The man walked along, not knowing danger was near.

Suddenly, robbers jumped out from behind the rocks! They grabbed the man and took everything he had.

The robbers hurt the poor man and ran away with his bag. They left him lying on the side of the road.

The man lay there, hurt and scared. 'Please,' he thought, 'someone help me!'

He waited and waited under the hot sun. Would anyone come to help him?

Then the man heard footsteps! Someone was coming down the road. His heart filled with hope!

It was a priest - a very important man from the temple! Surely he would stop and help!

The priest saw the hurt man lying there. He looked at him... then he crossed to the other side of the road and walked right past!

'Too busy,' the priest thought. 'Someone else will help him.' And he kept walking without stopping.

A little while later, the man heard more footsteps. Another person! Maybe this one would help!

This time it was a Levite - a helper at the temple. He was supposed to be kind to people!

The Levite came close and looked at the hurt man. Then he too crossed to the other side and hurried away!

'Not my problem,' the Levite thought. 'I'm sure someone else will come along.' But the poor man was still all alone.

The man felt so sad. Two important people had seen him and done nothing. Would anyone care enough to help?

Then came a third person - a Samaritan. Samaritans and the hurt man's people usually didn't get along at all.

The Samaritan saw the hurt man lying by the road. His heart filled with kindness. He didn't walk past!

The Samaritan climbed off his donkey right away and rushed to the man's side. 'Don't worry,' he said gently. 'I'm here to help you.'

The Samaritan carefully helped the man feel better with soothing oil from his bag. He was so gentle and kind.

Then he wrapped the man's injuries with soft bandages. 'There,' he said with a smile. 'That should feel better.'

The Samaritan helped the man climb onto his own donkey. 'You can ride,' he said. 'I'll walk beside you.'

Slowly and carefully, they traveled to a nearby inn. The Samaritan walked the whole way, making sure the man was comfortable.

They arrived at the inn as the sun was setting. 'This man needs a room and care,' the Samaritan told the innkeeper.

The Samaritan stayed all night, taking care of the man. He made sure he had food and water and a soft bed.

The next morning, the Samaritan had to leave. He gave the innkeeper money and said, 'Please take care of him. I'll pay for anything else he needs when I come back.'

Jesus finished the story. Everyone had been listening very carefully. Now came the important question.

'Now,' Jesus asked, 'which of these three people was a good neighbor to the man who was hurt?'

'The one who helped him!' the people answered. The priest and Levite had walked past, but the Samaritan stopped to help.

Jesus nodded. 'Yes! Now go and do the same,' he said. 'Be kind to everyone who needs help - that's being a good neighbor!'

Your neighbor isn't just the person who lives next door. Your neighbor is anyone who needs your help!

And that's why, even today, when someone is very kind and helpful, we call them a 'Good Samaritan.' Will you be one too?