Once upon a baba time -

[Guest guest]

there was a King who owned the most perfect diamonds in the

world. His diamonds were perfect and flawless in every way. Each

diamond was priceless. Each was the size of a man's fist, and would

sparkle a rainbow of shimmering hues from just the glow of a candle.

Each of the King's diamonds were identical to every other diamond,

yet were precious and sought after, for they were life.

 

If the King gave a diamond to one of his subjects, he or she was

free

to travel where ever they wanted without fear. The diamonds were

magical and could never be lost or stolen. When his subjects were

done with their travels, they were to bring their diamond back to

the

King and tell him of their travels and what they had learned.

 

The King gave two brothers each a diamond, and gave them leave of

his

palace to travel as far and as wide as their hearts desired. Each

brother took leave of the King and went their separate ways. One

brother went to the north and one went to the south. The brother who

went to the north cared for his diamond every day and made sure it

was washed in pure water every night before bed. He protected the

diamond and didn't let even a speck of dust linger on the King's

precious gift for more than a moment. He traveled far and wide and

shared the story of the King's gift and brought the light of truth

to

all he met.

 

His brother went south and was proud of his gift of the diamond yet

cared for it not. He traveled far and wide and let the dust of his

travels coat the diamond. His sweat dried on the diamond and mixed

with the dust to form a haze that blocked the beauty of the gift. He

was a violent man and the blood of those he killed stained the

diamond further. He stole from others and had to hide in caves. Mud

from the wet dark caves covered the diamond further until it was a

black rock of dried mud and blood. He grew afraid. Even though he

could not lose the diamond, he hid it from others for he was ashamed

of its appearance.

 

One day the word went out throughout the Kingdom that the King was

bringing all of the diamonds back to the palace for an accounting.

Both brothers obeyed their King and returned as instructed. The

first

brother who went north gave the diamond to the King and told him of

his travels. The King blessed him for the wise and special care he

took of the King's gift and gave him a position of authority and

power over many more diamonds.

 

The brother who went south handed the king the diamond that was

caked

with dried blood and the filth of his travels. The King was angry

and

threw the evil brother into a deep dungeon and he was not allowed

out

until he could deliver the diamond back to him in its pristine form.

The evil brother only had his tears to wash the diamond with, and he

suffered for many, many years. Finally he was able to bring the

diamond back to the King in its original form. The King forgave his

servant but never trusted him again with another of his diamonds."