Special Needed

In a peaceful little town, there lived a kind and clever Rabbi who noticed a bunch of kids and a little boy named Ruben playing a game as the sun was setting. Ruben was a very kind boy who had a big heart, but Ruben was unique and didn't play like the rest. When the game got too fast for him, and the kids started asking him many questions, Ruben felt a bit lost and confused and started to get really sad.

"Kids," the Rabbi called out with a smile, "I've got a wonderful story for you!" Immediately, all the children ran over, excited to hear another amazing tale from the Rabbi, who was known for his fantastic stories. Ruben wiped a tear from his eye and walked over.

"Picture the night sky, all dark and deep, sprinkled with countless stars, each twinkling in its own special way. Some stars are so bright, you can see them from miles away, while others twinkle softly, like they're whispering secrets. But guess what? Every single star, bright or gentle, plays its own important role," the Rabbi began, his eyes twinkling just like the stars.

"Now, think of these stars as souls from Heaven, lighting up our world, each in their own way. Some are like those bright stars, leading with strong light, some shoot across the sky loudly, while others are like the gentle ones, warming our hearts with their soft glow. And then, there are some stars, so special and pure, they're given a very important job."

The Rabbi made sure every child was listening closely.

"These precious stars," he went on, "come to us looking a bit different. Even on the darkest nights, these stars shine steadily, without flickering. They are really far away from us, really high up in the heavens, but up close they are bigger than the sun. We are just too far away from them to understand how bright they truly are."

Listening, the kids imagined the sky filled with shining stars.

"These stars arrive not as shooting stars like the fastest runners or bright stars like leaders in the sky, but in ways some might call 'disabled' or 'with special needs.' But really, these stars are beyond such words, for their spirits are complete, and their purpose is clear. They're here to show us the truest kind of love—love that doesn't ask for anything back, love that looks past what we see and touches our hearts."

Speaking with gentle passion, the Rabbi told them about these extraordinary stars.

"These kids, our stars on earth, teach us love isn't about getting but giving. They remind us every soul is valuable and deserving of love. They hold the purest light, the light of true, unconditional love."

Looking around, the Rabbi felt happy seeing the kids begin to understand.

"So," he finished, "when we meet someone who might look or seem different, remember, they're like those special stars in the sky—here for a very special reason, to teach us about love, kindness, and the beauty inside everyone. Let's appreciate them, learn from them, and let their light lead us to be our best selves."

The kids sat quietly, the story's message sinking into their hearts like soft starlight. They now understood—the Rabbi could see it—the lesson of love, acceptance, and recognizing the spark of something divine in each person, especially those often overlooked.

As the Rabbi ended his story, the night had come, but somehow it seemed brighter than when the sun was setting. The stars seemed closer, a reminder of the beautiful lesson learned. And in their hearts, the children knew they'd never see the night sky, or each other, in the same way ever again.