A king used to travel in disguise to
learn directly about the conditions of his countrymen. He was accompanied by a
personal guard in disguise. They met three beggars seated by the side of a busy
street. Seeing the two strangers, they raised their bowls and begged for alms.
The king wanted to test them. He extended his hands to them and said, “We are
in a poor, hungry and miserable state. Kindly give us something to sustain our
life.”
One of the beggars did not
respond to their request. He moved away in search of a wealthy donor. The
second beggar gave a handful of rice from his bowl. But the third beggar felt
pity and offered them his large bowl with its complete contents – all the
grains and coins he could collect during the day.
The king received the two gifts
and sent his guard to the treasurer of the palace with a written order to weigh
the gifts and send through the guard, gold coins weighing as much as the two gifts.
The guard returned with the gold coins which he happily presented to the second
and third beggars.
The first beggar was very sorry for refusing a
gift. The second beggar was sorry for limiting his gift. The third beggar was
overjoyed to receive the unexpected treasure. The king appointed the kind and
compassionate beggar as his personal assistant.
God wants our participation to perform a
miracle in our life. That is a prerequisite for an answer to our prayers.
When we give to others with love, God will
give us generously what we require. We must help the weak, sick and the poor
treating them as our brothers and sisters. We must find more happiness in
giving than in receiving. God loves the one who gives gladly. His kindness
never ends.
………………………………………………………………….
© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip,
Darsana Academy, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India ( Former Professor, Cochin
University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala,
India), Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's
College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's
Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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