Humorous verse – I asked a clever girl

In this part of the talk, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks in a humorous and lighthearted way, using simple popular examples and short verses to bring joy and smiles to his listeners. His natural sense of humor, often present in his sermons, helps convey deep meanings in a relatable and warm style.
Through the joke about the “cheerful girl” who prefers marriage over wealth, the Pope highlights the value of sincere human relationships over material possessions. He shows that joy and simplicity are integral to faith, and that Christian happiness does not contradict spiritual dignity.
This passage teaches that Christian life is not void of joy and that even simple, everyday situations can carry spiritual lessons about contentment, love, and wise choices.
The overall message is that a Christian is called to live with both faith and joy, balancing seriousness with a cheerful spirit that gives life a beautiful spiritual flavor.