The stories recounted by the Sage were often remarkable, and there was many a lesson to be grasped if the listener bestirred himself sufficiently.

“ ... A frail-looking beggar stretched out his hands to a well-dressed passer-by and begged for his daily meal.

His words were very touching:

‘Please have compassion on me. I’m very hungry!’

The passer-by was deeply stirred by these words and so he reached into the bag he was carrying and brought out a loaf of bread, which he cut in two before generously giving the beggar the bigger half.

Love glowed in his eyes as he handed over his mite and the beggar thanked him heartily.

There was a mutual feeling of bliss experienced.

One party deriving the joys of giving and the other the joys of receiving.

It was a pleasant parting!

In another region of the world, at approximately the same time, another beggar placed his withered fingers on the side window of a horse-driven wagon and begged the expensively attired prince seated within for his daily meal.

His words were equally touching:

‘In the name of the Most High, please give me anything. I’m famished!’

The prince seated in the wagon fumed and ranted. Harshly, he barked out to his rider:

‘I cannot bear the sight of those miserable fingers on the window of my new carriage!’

He hurriedly pulled out his pouch and counted out some gold coins, which he threw on the ground beside the beggar.

The beggar’s eyes lit up and his hands quivered as he picked up the money.

In a mad frenzy, he jumped up and down and thanked the prince before leaving.

It wasn’t a pleasant parting!”