I once heard a story that completely shifted how I view my own worth – and where I choose to invest my energy. It’s a tale of a wise master, a young disciple, and a simple, unassuming stone. 🪨

The master handed his disciple this smooth, ordinary-looking stone and gave him a curious instruction: “Take this to the market. If anyone asks its price, just hold up two fingers.” ✌️

The disciple, a bit bewildered, did as he was told. He sat at a busy stall. Soon, a chicken farmer 🐔 walked by, noticed the stone, and asked its value. The disciple, silent, held up two fingers. “Two hundred rupees?” the farmer chirped. “I’ll take it!” 💰

The disciple, shocked, ran back to his master. “Master! A farmer offered 200 rupees for the stone!” 🤯

The master just smiled. “Now, go to the gem market. Do the same.” ✨

_ _ _ _

Again, the disciple went. This time, a distinguished diamond merchant 💎 saw the stone. His eyes widened! He examined it with a magnifying glass, awe clear on his face. “How much for this gem?” he asked, mesmerised. The disciple held up two fingers. “Two hundred thousand rupees?!” the merchant gasped. 😮

The disciple, now utterly stunned, rushed back.

The master, serene, gave his final, most profound instruction: “Go to the museum’s 🏛️ treasure trove. Show the stone.”

_ _ _ _

At the museum, the curator handled the stone with reverence, almost trembling. “We’ve searched for the legendary Stone of Truth for years! What is its value?” The disciple, heart pounding, held up two fingers. “Two hundred million rupees?” the curator whispered. “We will pay anything! You will be the richest man alive!”
The disciple returned, speechless. 💫

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The Powerful Lesson for Us All 💡
The master placed a hand on his shoulder. “Now you know. The value of a thing is not the same everywhere. Your value, like the stone’s, is defined by the one who truly recognises your worth.” ❤️
We all have unique talents, experiences, and a unique light we bring to the world. And not everyone is equipped to see it.

You might be in an environment (a job, a relationship, a community) where your “price” is undervalued – like the stone in the chicken market. 🐔

You might be among those who recognise your skill but don’t grasp your full potential – like the gem merchant. 🤔

Or, you might find yourself among those who truly see, celebrate, and need your brilliance – like the museum curator. 🤩

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The Moral For Us?

Stop trying to convince the chicken farmers of your diamond value.

Seek out the environments and the people who truly recognise, appreciate, and cherish who you are.

That’s where you’ll not only thrive but where your true value will be seen and shine brightest. 🌟

💎 💎 💎

What did this story make you think about? 🤔
Have you ever had an experience where your value was truly recognised, or perhaps undervalued?