Beggars

Trey Smith

The boy followed the Master, who made his way toward one of the huts. They brought out their bowls and asked for a donation.

"I am ashamed, Master," wailed the boy, "at always having to beg."

The Master laughed: "You are not begging; just the opposite. In allowing someone to give you something, you help him perform a good deed."

"And what of those who do not have enough to feed themselves?" retorted the boy. "Should they also give something to us?"

"We have to give these people something," answered the Master.

"But how can we give if we have nothing ourselves?"

"By going begging for them."
~ from The Master: Teachings for Enlightenment by Chao-Hsiu Chen ~

What an eloquent way to express the idea of giving as the most important characteristic that we humans can have!