There was once a generous king. Every day, he would bring a large vessel of grain to distribute to those in need. People would line up, holding out their jholis (a cloth stretched out to receive alms). The king would scoop up fistfuls of grain and fill them, but he never looked at the faces of those he helped. Without meeting their eyes, he simply filled their jholis as they passed by.
One day, a dervish (a wandering holy man) noticed the king’s generosity. The king served many people, giving tirelessly. But the dervish also noticed something unusual—the king never lifted his eyes to meet the gaze of those he was helping.
The next day, the dervish stood in line with the others. When it was his turn, the king stretched out his hand to give, but the dervish didn’t hold out his jholi. Instead, he gently caught the king’s hand. Surprised, the king looked up for the first time and asked, “Where should I pour the grain? I don’t see your jholi.”
The dervish replied, “I haven’t come for alms. I’ve come to ask you a question.”
Curious, the king said, “Ask.”
The dervish asked, “Why do you lower your eyes every time you give? Why don’t you look at the people who come to you for help?”
The king sighed and replied, “If I look into their eyes while giving, they will think I am the giver. But that’s not true. I am not the one giving. What I offer is not mine—it’s what He has given me. I’m simply passing it along.”
This thought is beautifully captured in a verse:
Jiu jiu kar uche uthe, tiu tiu niche nain
Denhaar koi aur hai, jo bhejat hai din rain
Lok bharam mujh pe kare, ta te niche nain
As my hand rises to give, my eyes lower.
The true Giver is someone else, giving day and night.
People may think it’s me, that’s why I lower my eyes.
In Persian, the word Abishar refers to a waterfall that flows with water from rain or melting ice. Bhai Vir Singh, a renowned poet and theologian captures this thought beautifully in his poem Abishar, where the waterfall speaks when someone thanks it for providing water:
Abishar akhe sun bhole
Main ta vast na kaai
Arshon lena te farshi dena
Reet asadi ahi
The waterfall replied, “Listen, my innocent friend,
I have nothing of my own.
I take from the heavens and give to the earth.
That is my only role.”
Giving is an essential practice on the journey to becoming a better human being. However, the act of giving can sometimes become intertwined with pride and the desire to display generosity. The story above serves as a beautiful reminder to keep ourselves grounded. Just like the waterfall, we must remember that we are not the true givers; we are simply passing on what we have received.
Source: Story adapted from a katha by Giani Pinderpal Singh Ji.
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Reflection Question:
What has been your lesson in humility? How do you keep yourself grounded when you receive praise or success?
The Sabad Project - Wisdom stories 
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