How much is the little monk's big stone worth?

?(A story written long time ago, and ?I didn’t know who wrote it…)

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Outside the big city, there is an ancient temple surrounded by mountains, lush bamboos, and lush pines and cypresses. One day, a young monk came to ask the old monk: "Master, what is the greatest value of my life?"

The old monk said, "Go to the back garden and carry a big stone. Take it to the market at downhill to sell. If someone asks you how much it costs, don't say anything. Just raise index finger. If he bargains with you, don't sell it. Take it back immediately. Then I will tell you what the greatest value of your life is."

******

Early morning on the first day, little monk picked up a big stone and excitedly ran to market. The vegetable market is bustling , and people are very curious, who would buy a stone? ?After a while, a housewife came over and asked the monk, "How much do you want for this stone?"

The monk held up a finger, and the housewife said, "10 ?"

The monk shakes his head. The housewife said, "So 100 dollar? ?Fine, fine! I'll just use it to make pickled cabbage." The monk think "Oh my god! someone is willing to pay 100 bulks for a worthless stone! We have plenty on the mountain!"

So little monk followed the master's instructions and did not sell it. He was overjoyed and took it back. ??"Master, today a housewife is willing to pay 100 dollar to buy my stone. Master, can you tell me now what is the greatest value of my life?"

The old monk said, "Well, no hurry! Tomorrow morning, take this stone to the museum area. If someone asks you for the price, you can still raise one finger. If he asks you for the price, don't sell it. Bring it back and we can talk again."

******

The next morning, the little monk happily carried the big stone to the museum.

Outside the museum, a group of curious people gathered around, whispering, "What value does an ordinary piece of stone have? Is it something rare and we just don't know yet."

At this moment, a man jumped out of the crowd and talk loudly to little monk, "Little monk, how much do you want to sell this stone for?" The little monk didn't say anything, but raised the finger. The man said, "1,000 dollar? 1,000 dollar is fine. I just want to use it to carving a statue."

When little monk heard this, he took a step back, too scared to speak! But the little monk still followed the master's instructions and did not sell it. He quickly took it back. When he saw the master, he said, "Master, today someone wants to buy my stone for 1,000 dollar. This time you must tell me what the greatest value of my life is, right?"

The old monk laughed and said, "Take this stone to the antique shop tomorrow to sell it. As usual, people will bargain for it, but don't sell it. Just take it back. This time, the master will definitely tell you what the greatest value of your life is."

******

After hearing this, the young monk couldn't sleep all night, and only hated that the dawn came too slowly. Finally, morning comes, and he hurriedly ran to the door of the antique shop with stone. Suddenly, an auctioneer appeared and told him that this was a rare gem that only appears once in a thousand years. He asked him how much he wanted to sell it for. Little monk didn't say anything, but stretched out index finger. The auctioneer said, "10,000 dollars?" The little monk shook his head. Auctioneer offered again, "Okey, 100,000 , then just 100,000 dollars. I will treasure it well !" ?The young monk almost fainted on the spot after hearing this, and hurriedly took it back to temple. When he saw the master, he said, "Master, someone wants to buy my stone for 100,000 dollar today. This time, you must tell me what the greatest value of my life is, right?"

The old monk interrupted him by pointing to the stone and said, “In fact, we don't intend to sell it, but now you should understand why the shape and appearance of the stone have not changed, while your thoughts and practices have changed again and again. The reason why I asked you to do this is that I want to cultivate and train your ability. To fully recognize your own value and your ability to understand things. If you are living in a vegetable market, then you only have the understanding of that market, you will never recognize the higher value.

It doesn't matter where you are, the same you, some lift you up and some put you down. It is only valuable to those who know what it is worth. Don't worry about what others think, the key is how you think of yourself. In short, you are in control of your own destiny and determine your own value!

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If you can't break through the fear of price

You can't create imagination of value!

~Margaret Huang~