Long ago in the land of Arabia lived a wise man named Luqman, so renowned for his wisdom that people traveled from far and wide to seek his advice. One quiet day, Luqman sat with his young son beneath the shade of a palm tree and began sharing the most precious wisdom he had.

'My son,' he said, 'do not walk through life with pride, for humility raises a person up, while arrogance brings them low. Speak with a calm, gentle voice, for the ugliest of sounds is shouting without need.'

Then he told his son a story about a tiny ant carrying a grain of wheat many times heavier than itself, never giving up until it reached its home. 'Never look down on anyone,' Luqman said, 'for even the smallest creature has its own worth and effort.'

He taught his son to always be honest, saying, 'My son, even if a wrong is as small as a mustard seed hidden inside a rock, the truth will surely come to light one day — so be truthful in everything you do.'

He also taught him to honor his parents, to be kind to neighbors and the poor, and to remain patient through hardship rather than growing quick to anger.

The son grew up living by his father's teachings, becoming beloved among his people and just as wise as Luqman himself. He passed these beautiful lessons on to his own children, and so Luqman's wisdom has been told to children generation after generation.

The Lesson: Humility, honesty, kindness to parents and neighbors, and good character are the foundations of true wisdom.