more precious than a gem

More Precious Than A GemMore Precious Than A Gem

A Story From The HeartA Story From The Heart

A wise woman was traveling happily.A wise woman was traveling happily.

Over mountains she treaded so steadily.Over mountains she treaded so steadily.

One day she One day she found a found a

precious stone precious stone in a stream. in a stream.

The stone was The stone was a gem with a a gem with a

beautiful beautiful gleam.gleam.

The next day she met a man who was hungry.The next day she met a man who was hungry.

The wise woman shared her food so readily. The wise woman shared her food so readily.

The man saw the precious stone and he The man saw the precious stone and he was filled with greed.was filled with greed.

To the woman he said, “Give me the To the woman he said, “Give me the stone – I’m in need.”stone – I’m in need.”

The woman The woman gave him gave him without without

hesitation.hesitation.

This was This was really beyond really beyond

his his expectation.expectation.

The man left rejoicing greatly at what he got.The man left rejoicing greatly at what he got.

““I’ll be forever happy and secured,” he thought.I’ll be forever happy and secured,” he thought.

Not long later the man came back.Not long later the man came back.

He took out the gem from his bag.He took out the gem from his bag.

““I want to return this gem,” the man said.I want to return this gem,” the man said.

““I have learnt something more preciousI have learnt something more precious

and great.”and great.”

The woman said, “I’m happy to hear that.The woman said, “I’m happy to hear that.

Are you certain you will never regret?”Are you certain you will never regret?”

““Your compassion and great generosity make Your compassion and great generosity make me seeme see

Far beyond the ordinary,” the man said happily. Far beyond the ordinary,” the man said happily.

The EndThe End

May we grow in compassion and wisdom!With Metta,With Metta,

Bro. Oh Teik BinBro. Oh Teik Bin