Buddha saw his father’s worry
And told him a boy’s story,
Saying, the gem was hidden
Within himself, but not known.
There lived a poor man.
His friend was a rich man.
For help the poor went.
To the rich as a guest.
The rich gave him nice food
Which was tasty and good,
And then led him to a silk bed,
On which he slept like a wood.
Next day, he didn’t find,
At home, his rich friend,
And heard from the servant
On two days work, out he went.
He got disappointed
As no gift, he received
From his rich friend
What he expected.
Years passed, but the poor
Remained still as poor.
His silken robe became torn
Which he threw in the dust bin.
Suddenly, one day, he met
His rich friend in the street,
Who enquired, “This dress
You’re wearing is useless.”
“I gave you a silken dress
When you were in my house.
What happened to it?
Why you’re not wearing it? ”
The poor said, “I have thrown
Your silken dress in the dust bin
When it was torn into pieces
Now, I’m wearing this old dress.”
The rich replied, “Oh my friend,
A costly gem was sewed
In that silken dress I gave
Which you now don’t have.”
The poor never knew this
And he suffered a loss
Due to his own ignorance
Of his friend’s kindness.
Rajaram Ramachandran
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buddha-23-the-story-of-gem/
