Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A GENEROUS GIRL



                                             A girl stayed with her parents and elder sister in a cottage near a forest. She used to collect water in a pot from a neighbouring stream and carry it home every day. One day in a severe summer, while returning from the stream with a pot filled with water, she noticed an old tree on the way. It was badly affected by the severe heat and drought. It was shedding its withered leaves and many of its branches had already dried up. Its withered roots were exposed above the ground and seemed to beg for a drop of water. The girl had a very kind, generous and compassionate nature and she felt pity for the dying tree. She lovingly poured the water in her pot over the drying roots of the dying tree.
                               To her surprise she noticed that as the soil moved along the flowing water, a brightly coloured jewel box became visible  under a root. She eagerly collected the box using a stick and opened it. It had a rich collection of gold coins, expensive jewels and exquisite ornaments. She carried it home and her parents were glad to get such a valuable treasure. They told her, it was a gift of God - a reward for the kindness she showed to the dying tree.
                               Her elder sister was envious of her sister's fortune and she wanted to own a similar treasure. She ran to the tree carrying a stick in her hand. She madly thrust the stick  into every hole under the tree  in search of a treasure. Suddenly a poisonous snake  emerged from a hole as she poked at it.  The snake sprang upon her, biting her to death. Her jealousy, envy and greed led to her tragic death.
                               Envy or jealousy is a serious sin. Let us be of help to any one in need, especially the poor, the sick and the needy. Jesus taught, “Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!"
                               Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. Whoever does not love, does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE.


-'Rime Of The Ancient Mariner' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)
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© By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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