Being but a mouse, he nevertheless desired greatness. At first, it was enough to be an exceptional mouse. But eventually, his inward drive led him to hate who and what he was.

His aspiration to rise to the heights of possibility led him to an impossibility. Viewing man with his apparent limitless power and resources drove the mouse to near madness in envy and rage. He forgot what it meant to truly be a mouse, and descended into a hole of apathy, self-pity, and neglect. He stared at the rat poison piled in the corner, and contemplated his end.

He pulled himself up and walked toward the poison. Halfway there, something bright and shimmering caught his eye. He turned in response to look at it. There among the accumulated dust was a shard of a broken mirror, just large enough to reflect his face. He lifted a tiny paw to rub his chin, as if making sure the face was really him.

At that moment, the voice of God spoke to his heart. He fell to his knobby mouse knees, such as they were. He stayed there, in quiet submission for some time. Later, he would write the word "greatness" on the stack of poison.

Don't ask. I have no clue why this story popped into my mind.

The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matt 23:10-12

But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. Mark 9:34