'Chinna Katha' stories,

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'Chinna Katha' stories,

 

Once Wealth and Poverty approached a merchant and introduced

themselves as Goddesses. The merchant offered his salutations to both

of them and said: " May I know what brings you to my humble tenement? "

The Goddess of Wealth said: " We want you to judge and tell us as to

who is more beautiful between the two of us? "

 

The merchant was in a fix. He knew he was between the devil and the

deep sea. If he were to declare wealth as more beautiful than

poverty, poverty would curse him. If he were to declare poverty as

more beautiful than wealth, then wealth would forsake him. But, very

soon he regained his composure and said: " I have great respect for

you both. Would you please act according to my instructions? Only

then I can judge you two properly. "

 

The Goddesses agreed. He then said: " Mother Wealth, would you please

go to the entrance (gates) and walk into the house? Mother, Poverty!

Would you please walk from here towards the gates? I can then have a

good look at you both, from near and far. "

 

The two Goddesses walked as the merchant had wished them to. After

seeing them walk, the merchant happily declared: " Mother Wealth! You

appear very beautiful when you enter the house. Mother Poverty! You

look very beautiful when you leave the house! "

 

The merchant had very beautifully circumvented the predicament that

had befallen him and in doing so had also not hurt the goddesses¢

sentiments. The Goddesses immensely appreciated the wit and wisdom of

the merchant. So, while the Goddess of Wealth happily stayed in his

house, the Goddess of Poverty cheerfully walked away.

 

When a serious problem confronts us, if we look within and think

calmly, a ray of hope and light will beam forth and show us the way.

 

- Baba