The secret of Happiness

Sham S. Misri

A certain shopkeeper sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness from the wisest man in the world. The lad wandered through the desert through forty days, and finally came to a fine castle high atop a mountain. It was there that the wise man lived.

“Rather than finding a saintly man the man on entering the main room of the castle saw a hive of activity: Tradesmen came and went, people were conversing in the corners. A small soft music was playing, and there was a table covered with platters of most delicious food. The wise man conversed with everyone, and the boy had to wait for three hours, before it was his turn to be given the man’s attention”

“The wise man listened attentively to the boy’s explanation of why he had come, but told him that he had not time then to explain the secrets of happiness. He suggested that, the boy look around the palace and return in three hours.”

“Meanwhile I want to ask you to do something,” said the wise man, handing the boy a teaspoon that held two drops of oil; as you wander around carry this spoon with you without allowing this oil to spill.

“The boy began climbing and descending the many stairways of the palace keeping his eyes on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the room where the wise man was.”

Well, asked the wise man,

Did you see the Persian carpets that were hanging in the dining room?

Did you see the garden that the gardener took ten years to make?

Did you go to my Library?

The boy was embarrassed and confessed that he had observed nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil that the wise man had entrusted to him.

“Then go back and see the marvels of the world,” said the wise man.

“You cannot trust a man if you don’t know his house.”

Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace, this time observing all the works of art on the ceiling and the walls.

He saw the gardens and mountains around him.

Upon returning to the wise man he related in detail everything he had seen.

“But where are the drops of oil I entrusted to you?” asked the wise man.

Looking down at the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone.

“Well there is only one piece of advice I can give you,” said the wisest of wise man.

The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon”

The boy understood the story.