A beggar had been sitting by the side of a road for over 30 years. One day a stranger walked by. “Spare some change”, asked the beggar, holding out his cap. “I have nothing to give you”, said the stranger. Then he asked: “What’s that you are sitting on?” “Nothing”, replied the beggar. “Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember”. “Ever looked inside?” asked the stranger passing by. “No”, said the beggar. “What’s the point? There’s nothing in there”. “Have a look inside”, insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw the box was filled with gold.
This Story urges us to first look inside, inside ourselves. Does our true wealth lie in the joy of self-love and just being ourselves and the small pleasures that life offers us every day? Or, are we looking outside for peace, wealth, security, pleasure, acceptance or love without once thinking that all these are found within ourselves far more than anything the world can offer.
