I found this little story on another blog and I've been thinking about it for many days.
Which would you rather have?
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A wise, but poor, woman who was crossing the mountains on foot came upon a precious stone and placed it in her pack. The next day she met another traveler who begged her for something to eat.
The wise woman opened her bag to reach for some bread, and as she did so, the sun's rays caught the gemstone, and the hungry traveler gasped with delight, saying, "I'm very poor. Won't you give me that stone?
The wise women did so without hesitation.
The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the jewel could provide him security for the rest of his life. But after a few days in the mountains, he reversed his trail, and went back in search of the wise woman.
Finally, he found her. He handed her back the stone. "I know this gemstone is terribly valuable," he said. "But I return it in the hope that you can give me something much more precious. Let me have whatever it is within you that enabled you to give me that stone."
This is a great post, very thought provoking!
ReplyDeleteKat :)
Very thought provoking indeed! It is profound that the woman gave him the stone. But it is also profound that the man recognized the virtue in what she did and that he was open to seeking his own wisdom.
ReplyDeleteOmigod, what a beautiful story. A parable.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great story, in fact I find it doubly powerful. it reminds us to be willing to give but also to be looking for what others have to teach us. Every day we can be the hungry man and the wise woman. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteQuinn, you are so correct.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly Quinn!
ReplyDelete