SOMETIMES

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious 


stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was 


hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The 


hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to 


give it to him. She did so without hesitation. 

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone 


was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. 

But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise 


woman. “I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I know how valuable this 


stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me 


something even more precious. Give me what you have within you 


that enabled you to give me this stone.” 



Sometimes it’s not the wealth you have but what’s inside you that 


others need.