Loyal Ruth
Ruth never leaves her mother-in-law Naomi alone. Her loyalty and kindness bring her a beautiful new life.
Ruth and Naomi
Ruth was a young woman who came from a faraway land. She had become the daughter-in-law of an older woman named Naomi, and she loved her very much. Ruth loved the time she spent with Naomi; they would laugh together, work together, and give each other strength. Naomi looked upon Ruth as her own daughter. But life was not always easy, and in time the burden grew heavy for both of them. At times like these, people sometimes say, “Let everyone look after themselves,” and go their separate ways. Ruth, however, chose a very different path: she chose to stay beside the person she loved. That is what loyalty is; it is being there not only on easy days, but on hard days too. Over time, life grew hard for both of them, and very sad things happened. Naomi decided to return to her own hometown, Bethlehem. “You stay in your own country, Ruth,” she said. “Someone will take good care of you here.”
I Will Stay by You
But Ruth could not bring herself to leave Naomi alone. She hugged her and said: “Wherever you go, I will go too. Your people will be my people, and your homeland my homeland.” So the two of them set out together, hand in hand, toward Bethlehem.
Gathering Grain in the Field
When they reached Bethlehem, they had no food. At that time the barley harvest was being gathered in the fields. In those days there was a beautiful custom: the harvesters would leave a little grain behind so that those in need could come and gather it. To take care of Naomi, Ruth went to a field and began gathering the fallen stalks one by one. From morning until evening she worked under the sun without stopping.
That field belonged to a kind-hearted man named Boaz. Boaz had heard how hard-working and loyal Ruth was. He came to her gently: “Gather only in my field, and you will be safe. When you are thirsty, do not hesitate to drink.” He even told his workers to leave a little extra grain behind so Ruth could gather easily. That evening Ruth returned home with an armful of barley, and Naomi was overjoyed.
A New Home
As time passed, Boaz and Ruth were married. Ruth had a home and a family, and Naomi's face smiled again too. Years later, very important people came from Ruth's family — even King David was descended from her.
Ruth's story teaches us loyalty and kindness. Staying beside those we love and being gentle with them may seem like a small thing. But like Ruth, a loyal and kind heart brings beautiful things along with it.
Talk about the story
Ruth chose to stay by Naomi's side. How can you stay loyal to someone you love?