The Gift of Understanding

It's time for Thursday Tale Time (TTT 23/2024).

Today, I am sharing a story that was shared by Dr. Vageesh Aarchya.

Once upon a time, in a prosperous kingdom, there lived a wise king. The people adored him for his fairness and wisdom. In the midst of the ministers, there was a particularly perceptive and wise general secretary, who consistently provided the king with valuable guidance.

On a particular day, the king, along with his minister and the army, paid a visit to the capital of the emperor to evaluate the well-being of the city's residents. The king was mounted on an elephant, while the army was mounted on horses and some soldiers were on foot. The general secretary was positioned behind the king, riding on an elephant. The king's troops marched through the capital's street, which had a sandalwood gift shop. The shopkeeper was an expert in crafting beautiful sandalwood gifts.

The king looked at the sandalwood gift shopkeeper and suddenly asked his general secretary why he felt an internal urge to punish the shopkeeper. I want to hang the shopkeeper of the sandal store. The general secretary pointed out to the King that he was on his elephant and the shopkeeper was in his shop. The shopkeeper didn't make any mistakes, so why should you punish him? I'm wondering why you have such a strong desire to hang him. The king responded, I've already informed you, unsure why I'm experiencing these emotions. The King’s troop moved on from the location and returned back to the royal palace.

In the evening, the general secretary paid a visit to the sandalwood shopkeeper. He sought information on his welfare and asked for an update on your business. The general secretary refrained from introducing himself. The shopkeeper requested not to inquire about business. Despite the exceptional quality of his products, the business experienced a slowdown. Despite his hard work and skillful craftsmanship, he frequently pondered why his luck was always so bad. He had no success in selling any sandalwood items in the past six months. Surviving in the current market is tough, so he had a hard time making enough money. The only remaining hope he has is for our king to pass away someday, requiring a large amount of sandalwood for his funeral pyre. That would generate a handsome amount of money.

The general secretary stated that, based on the current circumstances, our king is in excellent health and is expected to live for a considerable amount of time, indicating that his demise is not imminent. He then inquired about the cost of a sandalwood sculpture of goddess Saraswati. Upon disclosing the price, the shopkeeper was asked by the general secretary to create a gift pack for the idol. After paying the price, the general secretary left the shop. ?

The following day, in the king's court, the general secretary informed the king that the sandalwood shopkeeper, whom you wanted to hang, has sent a gift for you, your majesty. He conveyed that he was unable to greet and welcome you during your visit to the street yesterday. You received a gift from the shopkeeper - an idol of Goddess Saraswati made of sandalwood. The king wanted to know why you went to that specific shopkeeper. In reply, the general secretary mentioned, "My wife made a specific request for an incense stick holder made from sandalwood, to add a soothing aroma to our home." When the king opened the present, he was completely mesmerized. He couldn't get enough of the sandalwood's fragrance, its calming properties, the beautiful handmade idol, and the spiritual meaning behind it all. The king made a request to place the idol in the queen's room and expressed his interest in obtaining more sandalwood items for his palace.

In response to this newfound interest, the general secretary proposed that the king pay a visit to the kingdom's finest sandalwood craftsman. After agreeing, the king wasted no time in making an unexpected visit to the shopkeeper's store. Overwhelmed by the king's presence, the shopkeeper showcased his top products.

The king was so impressed by the craftsmanship and quality of the products that he bought several sandalwood items and ordered more for his palace. The news of the king's visit and his admiration for the shopkeeper's goods quickly spread across the kingdom. The shop was flooded with people from every part of the kingdom who wanted to buy the items selected by the king.

The shopkeeper's business prospered, and he swiftly became one of the kingdom's most affluent merchants. Filled with gratitude for the wisdom of the general secretary and the support of the king, he tirelessly crafted stunning sandalwood objects, playing a vital role in preserving the cultural heritage of the kingdom.

There are two significant learnings in this story.

1.?????What feeling we have for another person, the same feeling would arise in another person’s mind as well. The mind has the ability to connect with others through waves of thoughts.

2.?????When someone exhibits intelligence and performs acts of kindness, it has the potential to change the feelings of someone who thinks differently.

a.??????When the general secretary buys and presents the sandalwood idol as a gift from the shopkeeper, it causes a shift in the king's perspective. It demonstrates the power of good intentions and kind actions to change perceptions and outcomes.

b.?????The way the general secretary dealt with the situation demonstrates wisdom, which is in contrast to the king's initial impulsive response and the shopkeeper's initial thoughts. It emphasizes the value of wisdom and careful consideration in decision-making, rather than making hasty choices.