Sathya Sai’s Advice to Children
“You must have fear, humility and faith. What should you fear? You should fear doing what is wrong and of falling into falsehood. Before whom should you show humility? You should show humility before your parents, who brought you into this world and cared for you when you were a hapless babe, before your teachers who provide you with the learning that will enable you to make your living in this world, and before your elders. They have much to teach you, either from the wisdom accumulated through the years or from the repeated mistakes that are etched in their lives. In what should you have faith? Have faith in God, in your own strength, and in your own victory.
“I want each of you to grow into strong, steady, straight persons. Your eyes should not seek evil sights; your ears should not seek evil tales. Your tongue should not seek evil speech. Your hands should not seek evil acts, and your mind should not seek evil thoughts. Be pure, and be full of love. Help those who are in a worse condition than yourself, serve those who need your help.
“You must shine as fine examples to the other boys and girls. When you are at home and when some friends of you father come in, you must rise from your seat, talk politely and clearly, receive them gladly and be nice towards them.
“A sapling can be helped to grow straight, but once it becomes a tree it cannot be guided in its growth. In childhood, you were led astray because you did not know which act was right and which was wrong. There was no one to guide you along the right path. You fell into bad company because no one warned you, or rescued you when you had done so. No one pointed out to you the way to God and goodness. If they had, you would have quickly absorbed the advice, for the minds of children are capable of imbibing the good as well as the bad. No one around you had faith in your innate divinity, or the compassion to save you from evil and guide you into good ways.
“Resolve to be good, loveable children from this moment. Do your duties gladly and well, to the satisfaction of your well-wishers. If you feel sorry for the wrongs you did, that itself will please God and He will pardon you. If you endeavour to turn a new leaf and become better, God will shower Grace on you.”