It happened once upon a time that two merchants met at an oasis in the middle of a wide desert. One was from a land by the sea and carried with him a collection of pearls of different sizes and grades, while the other was from a mountainous land, and brought with him a supply of gems of varying quality.. Although they did not speak the same language, each one had the instinct for trade, and they soon began to inspect each other’s merchandise.
The man with the pearls saw value in the jewels of the other, and the gem merchant saw value in the pearls. By gestures, it was the work of only a few moments to agree to exchange the one stock for the other – so that the pearl merchant received the stones, and the gem seller received the pearls. However, the gem merchant was quick with his hands, and managed to conceal the best stone of his collection in his sleeve.
That night, the seller of pearls slept well, contented that he had made a good profit. The other merchant, though, slept badly, tormented by the thought that the pearl merchant must also have hidden his best piece, and wondering how much he had lost as a result.
Dear Pir Nawab,
How coincidental… today this was read in the Catholic Church (the origin of the term catholic, means ‘universal’…).
Matthew 13.4 –46:
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
With Love, Alīm
Dear Alim, thank you, it seems that we are blessed with many pearls and other treasure!
With love and gratitude, Nawab