The Wise Woman’s Stone

Value: Wisdom, Detachment

Sub-Value: Love

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A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream.

The next day she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveller saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him.

She did so without hesitation.

The traveller left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.

But, a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” He said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious- Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone!”

The woman had inner conviction, confidence, and faith in herself not in the possession of the precious stone. Therefore, she parted with it without batting an eyelid.

Learning

Materialistic gains do not last long. It’s the faith and courage in oneself that gives everlasting security, freedom, and joy. The money earned from the stone would have secured the traveller a comfortable external life, however, that wouldn’t have given him freedom from worries and fears.

Hence, the traveller desired the real wealth of these qualities- detachment, and fearlessness because he knew this treasure of qualities will not only aid in sailing through the uncertainties in life but also help in living life powerfully.