The Four Philanthropists

[Guest guest]

Story from the web ....

 

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There is a story about a village which was overtaken by enemy

forces. All of the warriors who inhabited the village were gathered

together and imprisoned by the conquerors.

 

Amidst the villagers were four philanthropists who became aware of

the prison conditions that their compatriots were enduring. The

first philanthropist went to the prison and said to the captors, "I

understand that my brothers are without clean water. I want to take

all my riches, and use them to purify the water, so that my brothers

will have clean water, that they will not get sick." The captors

agreed and granted the man this right. He walked away, feeling that

he had fulfilled his destiny in doing this act of charity for his

brothers.

 

The second philanthropist went to the prison, and approached the

captors, saying "I understand my brothers are sleeping on rocks. I

want to take all my riches, and provide bedding for the men, so they

may rest comfortably in prison." The captors agreed, and the man

left, feeling that he had fulfilled his purpose in aiding his

brothers' plight.

 

The third philanthropist went to the prison, and spoke to the

captors, saying "I have heard that my brothers have no food. They

have only bread and water. I have a large farm, and want to harvest

all my crops to see that the men have good food to eat while they

are in prison." The captors agreed, and the philanthropist left,

knowing he had done much good in helping his brothers in prison.

 

The fourth philanthropist ~ a wise man of higher awareness ~ found

the keys to the prison. One night, he slipped into the prison and

freed all his brothers from their captivity

 

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