"The Tailor's Needle"
A tailor was at work. He took a piece of cloth and with a pair of
shining, costly, scissors, he cut the cloth into various bits. Then
he put the pair of scissors at his feet. Then he took a small
needle and thread and started to sew the bits of cloth, into a
fine shirt. When the spell of sewing was over, he stuck the
needle on to his turban.
The tailor's son who was watching it asked him: "Father, the
scissors are costly and look so beautiful. But you throw them
down at your feet. This needle is worth almost nothing; you can
get a dozen for an anna. Yet, you place it carefully on your head
itself. Is there any reason for this illogical behaviour?"
"Yes, my son. The scissors have their function, no doubt; but
they only cut the cloth into bits. The needle, on the contrary,
unites the bits and enhances the value of the cloth. Therefore,
the needle to me is more precious and valuable. The value of a
thing depends on its utility, son, not on its cost-price or
appearance". Similarly, there are two classes of people in the
world-those who create dissensions and disharmony, who
separate man from man; and those who bring about peace and
harmony, who unite people.
The former are generally the rich people, powerful politicians
and kings; the latter are generally the poor devotees of God,
the penniless wandering monks, and mendicants. The Lord
makes use of both to carry on his function of providing the field
for the evolution of individual souls. He throws down on the dust
the mighty kings and millionaires who create wars and
disharmony; and He keeps the poor, pious devotee over His own
head. In His eyes the scale of values is entirely different!
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