Grains and Gold
In a quaint village stood a magnificent mansion owned by a certain landlord. Passersby often paused to admire its grandeur and elegant architecture. This landlord was well-known for his philanthropy and compassion towards others.
The Travelers’ Visit
One day, three travelers, captivated by the beauty of the mansion, approached it. To their surprise, they found the landlord bent over, gathering a handful of grains scattered on the ground.
A Misguided Observation
“Sir, you appear to value those grains as if they were gold!” exclaimed one of the travelers, with the others nodding in agreement. The landlord remained silent but invited the travelers to join him for lunch at his home. Gratefully, they accepted the offer.
A Glittering Surprise
Upon arriving at the mansion, the travelers were bewildered when the meal presented to them consisted not of food, but of shining pieces of gold! The landlord gently remarked, “My friends, I gathered from your earlier comment that you place much greater value on gold than on grains. Why not live on gold?”
Realization and Change
Suddenly, the travelers understood their misjudgment. They apologized for their prior remark, recognizing the true worth of grains over mere gold. Following this heartfelt exchange, they were finally served a delightful meal filled with delicious dishes.