Favorite Stories


My favorite story about Gandhi... Posted by Valerie

A mother comes to Gandhi, revered as a leader and wise man in India. She says, 'Gandhiji, my son is eating so much sugar that it is bad for his health, and I am afraid for him. But he will not listen to me. Will you, revered sir, please tell him not to eat sugar? For he will listen to such a man of integrity and honor. "

Gandhi listens carefully and says, "Yes, I will tell him. Come back in four days."

The mother is puzzled - the child is right outside, and Gandhi could tell him in mere moments. Why the delay? But she accepts Gandhi's pronouncement, and leaves.

Four days later, she returns. When she is brought in to Gandhi again, she entreats him, "Please tell my son not to eat sugar!"

Gandhi asks the attendant to bring in the boy and motions for him to sit directly in front of him. Eye to eye, the child impressed by the wise man, Gandhi looks at the boy and says, "Stop eating sugar! It is bad for you."

The child meekly says, "Yes, honorable sir, I shall! Thank you for your advice!" and leaves the room.

But the mother is perturbed. She approaches Gandhi and says, "Why did you not tell him this four days ago? Why have we had to wait here all this time?"

Gandhi said, "Four days ago, I myself had not given up sugar."