Asteya – Sharing
The Joy of Sharing
Rama never accepted expensive gifts from anyone. He was blessed with the wealth of contentment. He adjusted to every circumstance with a smile of contentment. He was never unhappy.
Once, King Asoka sent Rama some expensive utensils. Rama was not present in his cottage so his mother received them. When he came back, his mother told him that King Asoka had sent some very beautiful utensils. She also said that she had kept them in the cottage and distributed the old earthenware ones.
Rama said. “That is all right. Now we shall distribute the new utensils as well.”
And, carrying the basket of utensils on his head, he went out to distribute them. He was very happy after distributing them. The people of his village came to know that Rama had distributed all his utensils so they gave him new earthenwares.
The moral of the story is:
Whatever we have, belongs to everyone. How nice if everybody can use it! That was the way Rama thought.
Dear children, try to think like him and translate his thoughts into your behaviour and actions. Feel happy, like Rama, to find your things are being utilised by others. May you understand what the joy of sharing is!
More examples of sharing:
- Sometimes it’s letting your little brother sleep in bed with you.
- Sharing half your cookie with your friend – even if it’s your favourite, chocolate chips.
- Sharing is telling your dad and mum about your school trip to the petting zoo.
- Your friend forgot to bring his pencil case, you may share some of your pencils with him.
- When your classmate doesn’t understand how to solve a math problem, you share with him the method to solve it.
Sharing makes others feel good, and it makes you feel good too.
Sharing is the giving of yourself to others. Sharing is a good thing to do!
Can you think of other ways to share?
This article was featured in YogaMail Jan-Mac 2010 issue.
