Przyszedł ubogi żak z glinianym garnuszkiem do furty klasztoru i prosi o nieco strawy. Zakonnicy dali mu zupy, a jeden z bogatych panów, gość u ojców reformatów, dał chłopcu dukata, mówiąc:

-Ucz się! Jak będziesz biskupem w Krakowie, to mi za tego dukata wydzierżawisz majątek do gospodarowania… – i roześmiał się starosta Łętowski ze swego żartu.

-Dobrze – odpowiedział poważnie żak.

Przeszło trzydzieści sześć lat… Ów bogaty pan podczas wojen stracił majątek i przyjechał do Krakowa, ażeby znaleźć jakieś zajęcie godne herbowego… Zatrzymał się znów, choć skromniej, u gościnnych reformatów. Tam przychodzi do niego posłaniec z pałacu biskupiego i mówi:

-Ksiądz biskup prosi waćpana na obiad.

-Jak to, ksiądz biskup mnie zna? – pyta zdziwiony Łętowski.

A u progu swego pałacu wita gościa biskup Felicjan Konstanty Szaniawski i mówi:

-Dałeś mi waćpan kiedyś dukata, gdy byłem biednym żakiem, teraz ja wydzierżawiam ci dobra biskupie. Dotrzymuję danego słowa, ale pod pewnym warunkiem… – i zaprasza go do stołu.

Podczas uczty stała zaś na owym stole zakryta srebrna waza. Dopiero przy końcu ucztowania odkrył biskup tę wazę i wyjął z niej stary gliniany garnuszek.

-Oto dowód, iż dobrzy ludzie pomagali mnie, biednemu, w nauce, więc przez wdzięczność za tę pomoc przeznaczam wszystek dochód z mego majątku na szkoły, seminaria, na ubogich uczniów. A pana, panie Łętowski, czynię za to współodpowiedzialnym…

(Opowieść o fundatorze konwiktu Szaniawskich w Łukowie,ze zbioru „Polaków ród. Gawędy dziejowe Jadwigi z Sas Zubrzyckich Strokowej”, wyd. Kraków 1914-1916)

The Ducat That Changed Two Lives

Many years ago, a poor student arrived at the gate of a monastery carrying nothing but a small clay bowl. Hungry and exhausted, he asked the monks for a little food.

The monks welcomed him and filled his bowl with soup.

Among the monastery’s guests that day was a wealthy nobleman named Łętowski.

Amused by the boy’s determination to study despite his poverty, he handed him a gold ducat.

„Work hard,” he said with a smile. „And when you become Bishop of Kraków someday, remember me and lease me one of your estates.”

The nobleman laughed, treating the remark as a joke.

The boy did not laugh.

„Agreed,” he replied.

Then life carried them in very different directions.

More than three decades passed.

Wars swept through the country. Fortunes were lost. Estates disappeared.

Łętowski, once wealthy and influential, found himself nearly ruined. Searching for a way to rebuild his life, he traveled to Kraków and once again sought lodging with the Reformati monks.

Soon after his arrival, an unexpected message came from the bishop’s palace.

The Bishop wished to see him.

Confused, Łętowski accepted the invitation.

When he arrived, the Bishop himself greeted him at the door.

It was none other than Felicjan Konstanty Szaniawski.

The poor student had indeed become Bishop of Kraków.

„I have not forgotten your kindness,” the bishop said. „Years ago, you gave me a ducat when I needed help. Today I intend to keep the promise I made in return.”

The bishop offered Łętowski the opportunity to manage church lands and restore his livelihood.

But first he wished to show him something.

Throughout the banquet, a covered silver vessel stood in the center of the table.

At the end of the meal, the bishop lifted the lid.

Inside lay an old clay bowl.

The same bowl he had carried as a poor student.

The bishop looked at his guest and said:

„This bowl reminds me that no one succeeds alone. Good people helped me when I had nothing. Because of that, I have dedicated the wealth entrusted to me to schools, seminaries, and students who cannot afford an education.”

Then he added:

„And now, my friend, I ask you to help me continue that work.”

According to the story, Łętowski accepted.

And the lesson of the clay bowl was remembered long after both men were gone:

A small act of kindness may take decades to bear fruit, but it is never forgotten.

Original source: Jadwiga Strokowa „Polaków ród. Gawędy dziejowe Jadwigi z Sas Zubrzyckich Strokowej,” Kraków, 1914–1916. Tale concerning the founder of the Szaniawski boarding school in Łuków.

Translated into English by Karolina Zabielska