Returning Gifts

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

There was once a great scholar, who taught us how to deal with people who upset us.  One day the scholar was walking through a village.  A very angry and rude young man came up and began insulting him.  “You have no right teaching others,” he shouted.  “You are as stupid as everyone else.  You are nothing but a fake.” 

The scholar was not upset by these insults.  Instead, he asked the young man “Tell me, if you buy a gift for someone, and that person does not take it, to who does the gift belongs?” 

The man was surprised to be asked such a strange question and answered, “It would belong to me, because I bought the gift.” 

The scholar smiled and said, “That is correct.  And it is exactly the same with your anger.  If you become angry with me and I do not get insulted, then the anger falls back on you.  You are then the only one who becomes unhappy, not I.  All you have done is hurt yourself.  If you want to stop hurting yourself, you must get rid of your anger and become loving instead.  When you hate others, you yourself become unhappy.  But when you love others, everyone is happy.” 

The young man listened closely to these wise words of the Scholar. “You are right, O Righteous one,” he said.  “Please teach me the path of love.  I wish to become your follower.” 

The scholar answered kindly, “Knowledge is for anyone who truly wants to learn.  Come with me.”