I’m recounting the following story the source if which I cannot remember. If you know where it is from, please let me know through comments or a private message.
A pauper has been walking around for a long time, and enters a kingdom. There he meets some men with whom he starts talking about the weather and who he is. Those men, quite proud of their culture and their heritage, and hence of their king, say that their king is the richest of them all, in wealth and wisdom.
The pauper laughs. He says that he is much richer than the king. Naturally, with their pride hurt, they take him to the king.
“I hear you believe that you are richer than me” proclaims the king
“Yes, Indeed!” replies the pauper with a mischievous grin. This enrages the king, and he stands up and thumps his fist on his armrest, shouting: “I demand an explanation for your disrespect!”
Coolly, the pauper says, “Your majesty, you have this kingdom, and the wealth, and yet you fear to even step outside for a minute, to enjoy the rest of this world. I, on the other hand, roam free and as I like. All of the world is mine. Does that not make me richer? You are dependent on your servants to bring you food and wine, while I am at liberty to bring it myself! I can make my food the way I want it, while your orders will be required for them, and heaven knows, one can never understand another man fully! Does that not make me richer?”
“Yes! But you own none of it!”
“Neither do you, sire! I, a mere commoner, walk into your kingdom, and tell you something that enrages you so! While nothing can be taken away from me but my life! I have not yet even taken away anything from you – your possessions, your wealth, or even your wisdom – but the mere idea makes you so angry! When you leave this plain and simple world of ours, you may own nothing either, but instead leave the same pain for your children, and they will leave it for their children! It matters not that I don’t own it, because none may be ever taken away from me!”
What do you say to that?
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TRB
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