Drink for the Thirsty
Once there lived a rich man who helped people as best he could. He considered himself a righteous man. One day, he decided to test his fate - to go out into the vast steppe to meet a wise saint who could bless him and fulfill his cherished dream.
He prepared for this meeting for a long time, fasting, making sacrifices, and giving gifts to the needy. On one of the favorable days, he went out into the steppe, holding a ladle of water in his hand. As soon as he had left the village, he encountered a poor man. Seeing the ladle of water, the poor man asked the rich man for a drink, but despite all his kindness, the rich man grumbled:
— I already do too much for you, poor people, sharing everything I have, and today I went out to meet the sage, to quench his thirst and tell him my cherished wish.
Having said this, he continued on his way. Suddenly, he heard an unfamiliar voice behind him:
— There is no need to seek the saint, for you simply refused to spare water for the thirsty traveler.
The rich man turned around, but there was no one around. Only then did it dawn on him that it was the sage himself!
Thus, one can test a person with just a ladle of water.
