AMMA SAYS - STORIES & JOKES

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OM AMRITESWARYAI NAMAH

 

AMMA SAYS - STORY

 

The Father's Box

 

A father was approached by his grown-up sons. "Father," they

said, "please divide your property amongst us. We will always look

after you."

 

Heeding the words of the children, the father agreed and divided all

his property amongst them. It was decided that he would live with

his sons, staying with each for two months at a time. So, when the

partitioning of the land was completed, the father went and stayed

with his eldest son. Hardly one week had passed when the attitude of

his son and daughter-in-law showed signs of change. They began to

neglect him. They treated him so badly that, long before the two

months were over, he left them and went to stay with his second son.

But there he fared no better. After only five days he had to leave

them as well because he couldn't bear the verbal abuse inflicted

upon him by his daughter-in-law. His experience in the house of his

third son was even worse. There, he was reduced to constant tears.

Finally he took refuge in an ashram.

 

The guru of the ashram gave him some advice. A month later, the

father returned to his sons carrying a locked box. They were eager

to know what he kept inside. When they insisted that he tell them,

he said, "I have some valuable jewellery in there. I will not give

it away until I die. After my death, anyone can have it."

 

When his sons heard this, their attitude towards him changed

drastically. There are no words to describe the love they suddenly

showed their father! Each son pleaded with him to come and stay at

his house. Thus the father once again began went to stay with his

sons, except that this time he was treated very well indeed!

 

Finally the father died. His sons didn't waste any time: they rushed

to the box and opened it. But what a surprise they got when they

found only a few stones inside the box!

 

"My Children, this story describes the nature of worldly love. There

is selfishness behind all forms of worldly love. If we spend our

lives seeking love in the world, we will do nothing but grieve."

::

AMMA SHARANAM