Why am I shorter than my friend?

One sunny afternoon, a curious 7-year-old girl asked her father, "Daddy, why am I short and not as tall as my friend at school? We're the same age!"

Her father could tell this question had been on her mind for a while. "So, your friend is taller than you?" he asked gently.

"Yes, and we're in the same class," she replied.

Her father smiled warmly. "Well, sweetie, we are all unique and special in our own ways. Some people are tall, others are short. Some have light skin, others have dark skin. And that's what makes each of us special!"

He paused, thinking for a moment. "Let me tell you a story about a man named Zacchaeus. He was a short man who lived a long time ago. One day, Jesus was teaching a large number of people, and Zacchaeus wanted to see him. But because he was so short, he couldn't see over the crowd."

The little girl giggled as the father gestured someone trying to look over people.

Her father continued. "So he climbed up a tree to get a better view! And guess what?”

"He got a better view?” the little girl answered with excitement.

Her father grinned. "Not just a better view, Jesus also saw him up in the tree and was so happy to see him that he even went to Zacchaeus' house for dinner that evening."

A small smile appeared on the little girl's face. Her father put his arm around her. "So you see, sweetie, we're all special just the way we are," he said, smiling warmly. "Just like how I'm a good dad, even if I'm not the tallest. There are other fathers who are taller than me, and that's okay. We're all unique, and that's what makes us special."

The little girl looked up at her father, her eyes shining and she hugged her father tightly.