301- The savage Tribes Ruler

The emperor of China had great confidence in his representative Wu Feng, who was wise and adamant yet, kind and gentle. Therefore, he made him ruler over the tribes resident on Formosa Mounts. He had to be very rigid since these tribes were extremely barbarous and ferocious. However, he was also fair.

The tribes loved him much for his gentleness. Consequently, they stopped many bad habits except for a fierce one. On the feast of their God, some of them used to go down the mountains to the road leading to the villages and kill the first person they would meet to offer him as a sacrifice for their God.

Feng tried all means to stop this act, to no avail. One day, Feng received a message from the emperor of China to the effect that if these tribes did not give up that habit, he should return shamefully to China. At last, he called them and said, “Honorable chiefs, I was gentle to you but you insist on disobeying. Tomorrow will be the next time for you to practise such a custom. Tomorrow when you go down the mounts you’ll find a man in white. Kill him if you wish but it’ll be the last time.”

They agreed reluctantly. On the following day, when they went down the mountains they actually found a man in white. One of them beheaded him and they took the head to their chief while they were singing and dancing. When he saw the head he cried bitterly and all people around were silent.

When the other chiefs saw it they were amazed to find that it was their beloved friend Feng’s. It appeared gentle and peacefully, as he accepted death willingly without fear. They all looked at each other bewildered. Feng preferred to accept physical death instead of putting criminals to death. He taught them a practical lesson to know how ferocious their crime was. They killed their dearest friend and it was the last crime they committed.

This is what our Good Lord has done for,

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5.8).

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: حاكم القبائل الهمجية.

You came down to us O Wonderful Judge,

Not to judge but to save.

You accepted the penalty of physical death,

And granted me Your resurrected life.

Your Cross revealed my great sins.

Your Cross proclaimed Your rich love.

Yes, You loved me and gave up Yourself for my sake.

Long Ruth and the Thieves

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

A Preacher Giving up his Seat