The Precious Pearl

Once there was a Persian ruler who owned the most precious pearl. One day, he ordered the pearl to be brought to him and then he summoned his three sons. “My sons,” he said. “I have decided to give away my most precious possession, the most beautiful jewel in all my treasure. However, there are three of you and only one pearl, so I have decided to give it to the most deserving of you.

The Test

“I have decided to put you to a test to find out which of you is the most deserving. I shall send you away from my court for a year and a day. You will each travel alone. You may go wherever you like and do what you wish. When you return, you must tell me what you think has been your most noble action. From what you say, I shall judge who is most fit to receive my priceless pearl. Go, and may God be with you, my sons.”

The Journey

The three sons left their father’s palace and, each choosing a different road, set out to see what fortune had in store for them. Time passed and at the end of the year and a day, the three princes returned to their father’s court.

The Revelations

He sat waiting to receive them and ordered the first son to begin his story. The first son spoke of his honesty in dealing with a rich merchant’s valuable jewels. The second son told of his courageous act of saving a little boy from drowning in a lake.

The Noblest Deed

Then it was the third son’s turn. He narrated an incident where he had saved the life of a sleeping man who was unknowingly lying on the edge of a cliff. The man turned out to be an old enemy of his, who instead of expressing gratitude, had responded with hostility.

The Priceless Pearl

Looking thoughtfully at his third son, the ruler declared, “Truly, my son, you deserve the precious pearl, the most priceless jewel in my treasure.” He explained, “While my first son proved his honesty and my second son his courage, my third son went beyond. He did a good deed without expecting any reward or gratitude, reflecting his true purity of heart.”