YJ International Newsletter 2004 Vol 18 No 01

Author(s): Young Jains (UK)
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 23

THE WAY WE TREAT PEOPLE
Received Via Email 4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts. Path.
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the miraculously survived the same disease and had King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did developed the antibodies needed to combat the anything about getting the stone out of the way.
illness.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the
colour returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
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