Parable of The
Tailor’s Needle
A tailor was at work. He took a piece of cloth and with a pair of
shining, costly, scissors, he cut the cloth into various bits. Then he put the
pair of scissors at his feet. Then he took a small needle and thread and
started to sew the bits of cloth, into a fine shirt. When the spell of sewing
was over, he stuck the needle on to his turban. The tailor's son who was
watching it asked him: "Father, the scissors are costly and look so
beautiful. But you throw them down at your feet. This needle is worth almost
nothing; you can get a dozen for an anna (cents). Yet, you place it carefully
on your head itself. Is there any reason for this illogical behavior?"
"Yes, my son. The scissors have their function, no doubt; but
they only cut the cloth into bits. The needle, on the contrary, unites the bits
and enhances the value of the cloth. Therefore, the needle to me is more
precious and valuable. The value of a thing depends on its utility, son, not on
its cost-price or appearance."
Similarly, there are two classes of people in the world-those who
create dissensions and disharmony, who separate man from man; and those who
bring about peace and harmony, who unite people. The former are generally the
rich people, powerful politicians and kings; the latter are generally the poor
devotees of God, the penniless wandering monks, and mendicants. The Lord makes
use of both to carry on his function of providing the field for the evolution
of individual souls. He throws down on the dust the mighty kings and
millionaires who create wars and disharmony; and He keeps the poor, pious
devotee over His own head. In His eyes the scale of values is entirely
different!
Excerpts from:
If you would like to
purchase the print edition, visit:
http://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?
http://www.dlshq.org/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?
If you would like to contribute to the dissemination of
spiritual knowledge please contact the General Secretary at: generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org
No comments:
Post a Comment