The following poem is by Raoul Follereau (1902-1977), who established World Leprosy day and who, throughout his life, shared his compassion for victims of leprosy--as well as for victims of poverty, indifference, and injustice. (The translation isnt very poetic, but the message is the same.) Un Sourire A Smile Un sourire ne coûte rien et produit beaucoup, A smile does not cost anything but produces so much*, Il enrichit ceux qui le reçoivent, It enriches the person who receives it Sans appauvrir ceux qui le donnent. without impoverishing the one who gives it. Il ne dure quun instant, It lasts only a few moments, Mais son souvenir est parfois éternel. But its memory may sometimes last for ever. Personne nest assez pauvre pour ne pas le mériter. Nobody is poor enough not to deserve it. Il crée le bonheur au foyer, soutient les affaires, It creates happiness at home and sustains businesses, Il est le signe sensible de lamitié. It is the visible sign of friendship. Un sourire donne du repos à lêtre* fatigué. A smile brings rest to the weary soul. Il ne peut ni sacheter, ni se prêter, ni se voler, It cannot be bought, nor can it be loaned or even stolen, Car cest une chose qui na de valeur For it is something which has value Quà partir du moment où il se donne. Only from the very moment it is given. Et si quelquefois vous rencontrez une personne And if sometimes you meet someone Qui ne sait plus avoir le sourire... Who no longer knows how to smile... Soyez généreux, donnez-lui le vôtre! Be generous, give him yours! Car nul na autant besoin dun sourire... As no one is more desperate for a smile... Que celui qui ne peut en donner aux autres. Than the one who is unable to give a smile to others.
Posted on: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 16:56:06 +0000
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