I so wish that I could take credit for this one. As far as I know the author is unknown and after reading it I am not surprised. The humliliy of the story matches the humility of the author. Its wisdom and depth is glorious and since it is the season when we all think about gifts, I thought I would share it. I think that the one in the story with the real gift is……well, you can certainly determine that yourselves:
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 the stone is, but I gave 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 that stone”.
Enough said…….
Reflections on the Journey 
wow that is an awesome story!!!
Thanks!
You’re quite welcome. I love it as well. Have a great day…or is it night for you?
It was night, but now its day… yippee last day of school for my lads!!!
Hope your day/night and all to come are great!
What a good reminder of something really essential to remember. Such are the ways of grace.
Yes Fran, grace and detachment.
a very wise traveler as well …
So true, it must have been difficult to give the stone back but the traveler was willing to ‘sell everything for the pearl of great price’
A precious story, Andie. Thank you.
Thank you Claire, I like it very much as well. A great woman to aspire to.
That story made my heart tingle! Such wisdom…
Me too Jade, I’m not sure that I would have given the stone away…or brought it back.
What a rare traveler. How often would that happen? I know there are a lot of good and honest people who would return a lost object of value, but to return one that was given to them . . . . That goes far beyond.
Yes, I agree and to recognize what it took for the woman to give the stone – something precious and rare.
Powerful!
Yes, Glenda, the best gifts are those that can’t be purchased or sold
In the end, her giving him the stone did just that, didn’t it. A beautiful gift. Sometimes it just takes time to see what we’ve truly received.
Absolutely and to share our gifts with one another.
I teach high school religion and this is a story I tell my students. I keep a big diamond shape crystal paperweight
( http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Diamond-Paperweight-Inches-Handcrafted/dp/B0019IRJGKon ) on my desk for illustration. My first year one of my students asked if I would give it to him… 😉
Wow, I wonder if he would have given it back….I think your students are lucky to have you as a teacher.
Delighted to meet you today. I hope you don’t mind if I splash around a bit to get to know you. This looks like a refreshing place to dip my toes.
Splashin,
Sarah
Welcome Sarah, I’m so glad you stopped by…feel free to swim away. I hope you like the temp. of the water 🙂
very cool
Thanks Richard, glad you like it
Brought tears to my eyes Andie. Truly a story to make a person think long and hard about how they would react were they the wise woman.
I agree Kris. How I hope to become that type of woman, one who can recognize the one thing that is really needed.
Wow, Andie — so much depth and wisdom in such a seemingly simple story. I love it. Thanks for sharing it here today.