The Story of the Stone

I just heard a story I want to always remember. It's about a woman who lived a Tao-centered life. She came upon a precious stone while sitting by the banks of a running stream. She placed the highly valued stone in her bag.

The next day, a hungry traveler approached the woman and asked for something to eat. As she reached into her bag for a crust of bread, the traveler saw the precious stone and imagine how it would provide him with financial security for the remainder of his life. He asked the woman to give the treasure to him, and she did, along with some food. He left, ecstatic over his good fortune and the knowledge that he was now secure.

A few days later the traveler returned and handed back the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he told her. "Although I know how valuable this is, I'm returning it to you in the hopes that you could give me something even more precious."

"What would that be?" the woman inquired.

"Please give me what you have within yourself that enabled you to give me that stone."

I think it goes without saying, I want to always be like this woman--unattached and compassionate.

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