STORY OF THE WALLET

agrasen

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Story of the Wallet

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Ajeya Mehta Sat, May 23, 2009 at 7:28 AM

Story of the Wallet
Posted by: "srinandan@aol.com" srinandan@aol.com srinanda108
Fri May 22, 2009 8:05 am (PDT)


Once an old man was traveling by train on a pilgrimage to Brindavan. At
night, whilst he was asleep, his wallet fell from his pocket. A co-passenger
found it the next morning and enquired as to whom the wallet belonged. The
old man said it was his. A picture of Sri Krishna inside the wallet was
proof that the wallet really belonged to him.

The old man then began to relate the story of the wallet. He soon had a
group of eager listeners around him. Lifting up the purse for all to see, the
old man said: This purse has a long history behind it. My father gave it
to me years ago when I was a mere schoolboy. I kept my little pocket money
in it and also a photograph of my parents.

Years passed. I grew up and began studying at university. Like every
youth, I became conscious of my appearance. I replaced my parents' photograph
with that of my own and I would look at it often. I had become my own admirer.

Then came marriage. Self-admiration gave way to the consciousness of a
family. Out went my own picture and I replaced it with that of my wife's.
During the day I would open the wallet many times and gaze at the picture. All
tiredness vanished and I would resume my work with enthusiasm.

Then came the birth of my first child. What a joy I experienced when I
became a father! I would eagerly rush home after work to play with my little
baby. Needless to say, my wife's picture had already made way for the
child's.

The old man paused. Wiping his tearful eyes, he looked around and said in
a sad voice: Friends, my parents passed away long ago. My wife too died
five years ago. My son- my only son- is now married. He is too busy with his
career and his family. He has no time for me. I now stand on the brink of
death. I do not know what awaits me in future. Everything I loved, everything
I considered my own, has left me.

A picture of the Lord now occupies the place in my wallet. I know He will
never leave me. I wish now that I had kept HIS picture with me right from
the beginning (and HIS thought in my mind)! He alone is true (whom you call
Shiva or Krishna or Rama or Christ or Allah…); all others are just passing
shadows….


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