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