For want of a nail…

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much. Luke 16:10

“For want of a nail…” Surely you’ve heard the proverb. What you may not know is the
history behind it. According to William Bennett, the story takes place during the reign of
Richard III and the defeat he suffered at the battle of Bosworth in 1485, at the hands of
Henry, Duke of Richmond.
The story goes that on the morning of the battle, King Richard ordered his assistant to
shoe his favourite horse. But then there was a problem: the assistant didn’t have enough
nails to fasten the fourth horseshoe.
“I’m missing some nails,” said the horse caretaker.
“I’ve already told you to figure it out on your own,” said the king’s assistant.
“I will place the horseshoe, but it won’t be as firm as the others.”
“Do it, and do it now, or the king will be displeased with both of us.”
The time for battle arrived, and both armies clashed. In the middle of the raging battle,
Richard’s horse lost a horseshoe. Before the king could grab the reigns, the animal fled.
This wasn’t the worst of it. Very soon his soldiers began to retreat. Desperate, the king
shouted, “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!”

But help never came, and since then people say, “For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For
want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a
rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want
of a horseshoe nail” (The Book of Virtues for Young People).

What is the lesson? The lesson is that details are important, How much is a minute
worth? What’s the value of a good deed? A good habit? An encouraging word to
someone who has fallen? They are very valuable. And how much harm can we cause in a
moment of carelessness? With a strong word? In a moment of rage? A lot of damage.

Be faithful in the small things today, and you will learn to be faithful in everything today
and always.