True value of life!

I was at an event recently, the head of academics spoke about how each child was unique and how it was unfair to compare any two. The second part of the program was to award the best performers, the categories being best turned out, punctual, most caring, most disciplined, most helpful etc. I was so confused, was it in any way supporting the gyan that was delivered a few minutes earlier! On the other hand can these qualities be judged just in a couple of hours? Certain qualities can only be felt and not explained or judged. Reminds me of a story, the true value of life.

The value of life

A little boy  went to his grandfather and asked, “What’s the value of life Grandpa?”

Grandpa gave him one stone and said, “Find out the value of this stone, but don’t sell it.”

The boy took the stone to an Orange seller and asked him what would be the cost of the stone. The Orange seller saw the shiny stone and said, “You can take 12 oranges and give me the stone.” The boy apologized and said that his Grandpa had asked him not to sell it.

He went ahead and found a vegetable seller. “What could be the value of this stone?” he asked the vegetable seller. The seller saw the stone and said, “Take one sack of potatoes and give me the stone.”

The boy again apologized and said he that couldn't sell it.

Further ahead, he went into a jewelry shop and asked the jeweller the value of the stone. The jeweller saw the stone under a lens and said, “I’ll give you 30 Lakhs for this stone.” When the boy shook his head, the jeweller said, “Lets call it a deal for 1 crore, but give me the stone.” The boy explained that he couldn't it. The little boy then saw a shop dealing in precious stones and asked the seller the value of his stone.

When the precious stone seller saw the big ruby, he lay down a red cloth and put the ruby on it. Then he walked in circles around the ruby examining it closely. He bent down and touched his head in front of the ruby asking the boy, "From where did you bring this priceless ruby ? Even if I sell my life and all my belongings , I won’t be able to purchase this beauty".

Stunned and confused, the boy returned to his grandfather and told him what had happened.

“Now tell me what is the value of life, Grandpa? He asked his grandfather.

Grandpa said, “The answers you got from the orange seller, the vegetables seller, the jeweler and the precious stones seller explain the value of our life. You may be a precious stone, even priceless one for that matter but people may value you based on their own level of information, their belief in you, their motive behind entertaining you, their ambition, and their risk taking ability. But don’t fear, you will surely find someone who will discern your true value.”

In the eyes of God you are very precious, you are unique. Respect yourself and remember that no one can replace you ever. 

Life is extremely valuable, one needs to have a wholesome balanced one rather than on a single tangent. Life creates its own rainbow - colours of happiness, love, caring of family and friends, bonding with others over common interests, respect for diversity and difference of opinion completing it. Living in a healthy environment, being strong both mentally and emotionally these score well over, just the physical strength. People who are capable of handling loss just the way they handle winning, handling sorrow just like they engage in happiness. The tough times are like little pebbles on the pathway, they can be crossed easily. These little wars are won mentally or emotionally rather than with any other might such as physical strength or the power of money. So value what you are worth and be proud of who you are. Always strive to make you a better version of yourself- ever so balanced, happy and full of cheer & hope!

P.S Pictures are taken from google with due credits for representational purpose only.