Here's Tony Campolo, the consummate story teller, telling two of his great stories: the bag lady at Nordstroms, and the Teddy Stallard story. Does it matter to you that the Teddy Stallard story is not true? The story has even been made into a heartwarming video. It is actually a work of fiction created by Elizabeth Ballard (now Elizabeth Ungar). It's an urban legend. I still like listening to Tony tell a good story. And, of course, teachers can make a huge difference in the life of a child.
4 comments:
I suppose there is another side to the story. I'd like to hear Tony's version before I make any judgments, but I really wanted the story to be true
The story is indeed a work of fiction, frequently mistold and not correctly attributed to its real author - Elizabeth Ballard who published it in Home Life magazine in 1976. Relating it as if it were true, undermines the very concept of truth, is a cynical manipulation of people's gullibility and emotions and deserves to be both roundly condemned and confronted.
I enjoy Tony Campolo - especially the Teddy Stallard story. We can all learn from this story just as Christ shared his thoughts through parables.
We need to care for each other -
My prayer today,
Jesus, I want people to see you in me today, and help me to see those opportunities and not miss them because of my selfish business. Amen
Papa
RENEGADE totally misses the point. That story has inspired so many people to reach higher. It makes no difference whether or not it is a "true story" ... it is a TRULY great story ... like the "Parable of the Great Samaritan. Or the CS Lewis, Tolkien, Hardy Boys, Ron Howard, George Lucas or Jack London stories.
Keep passing this story around to every teacher, parent, pastor, doctor or Zen master (talk about fiction) you know
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