I heard a story of a rich and powerful businessman who travelled to a third world country. There he checked into a 7-star hotel—the best in the country. In the morning, he would go for a stroll outside the hotel with his sidekicks in tow. When they reached some busy street his sidekicks would overtake him and make way for him telling the local people that he is one of the richest and most powerful men on earth.
Many would bow respectfully to the tycoon and make way for him. But there was a beggar who sat with his begging bowl, on his regular route. When the business tycoon passed him, he would simply open his eyes and close it and go back into a trance. This irked the business tycoon and he made it known to his sidekicks. He told them that he wants to be treated with respect by the beggar who was ignoring him all the time.
So, the sidekicks accosted the beggar the next day and explained to him that the business tycoon was a very rich and powerful man. They tried to convince the beggar that he should stand up and bow to the tycoon when he passed him. The beggar told them that he would be happy to sort this out with the business tycoon. They went away satisfied and informed the business tycoon accordingly.
The next day, when the business tycoon passed him, the beggar kept sitting as usual. Enraged by this, the sidekicks started shouting at him. The beggar motioned them to silence and told them that he was willing to speak to the business tycoon.
The tycoon bent down to the beggar and asked him: What is your problem? Why are you insulting me?
‘How am I insulting you?’ asked the beggar with a curious look on his face.
‘Well, you don’t bow to me like everyone else,” explained the tycoon.
‘And, why should I bow down to you?’ queried the beggar.
‘Because, I am a powerful businessman. I own five mansions and beach houses. I own a yacht. I own several hotels. I own several factories…”
“All right, now that you own all those things, what else do you want to do in future?” asked the beggar.
“I want to buy more mansions; I want to buy aircrafts; I want to buy more hotels; I want to buy more factories; I want to be the richest businessman on earth…”
“And, after you become the richest businessman, what would you want to do…”
“Well, I would look for a calm hideout where I can live my life in absolute peace…”
“Okay, now listen carefully: I am already in that state of peace…do you understand?” retorted the beggar.And, then, he went back into his trance.
