English
The Beggar and the Merchant Who Fell
A beggar, weak and worn, poured out his misery to a hard driving man of wealth.
That black hearted man gave him neither a coin nor the smallest scrap; instead he raised his voice and drove the poor man off like a scarecrow scattering birds.
The beggar's heart turned to blood at such cruelty; he lifted his head from grief and said, How strange.
Why is a rich man so sour of face? Does he not fear the bitterness of one day having to beg?
The shortsighted man ordered his servant to drive the beggar away with contempt and harsh abuse.
Because he failed to thank his Lord, I heard, fortune turned its back on him.
His greatness slid toward ruin; the pen of fate wrote his fortune in black ink.
Misfortune stripped him bare and sat him down empty handed, leaving him neither his goods nor a beast to carry them.
Fate poured the dust of poverty over his head; like a conjurer's trick, both purse and hand were left clean and empty.
His whole condition was turned upside down, and some time passed over this affair.
His former servant, meanwhile, came into the hands of a generous master, rich in heart, open of hand, bright in nature.
At the sight of a poor and troubled soul, that master rejoiced as a poor man rejoices at wealth.
One night a man came to his door begging for a morsel, his steps unsteady from hardship.
The discerning master ordered his servant to satisfy the wretched man's need.
When the servant brought him a portion from the table, the beggar, beside himself, let out a cry.
The servant returned to his master, broken hearted, his tears laying bare a hidden story.
The kind natured master asked, Whose cruelty has brought these tears to your face?
He said, My whole being was shaken to its depths at the state of this old man of shattered fortune.
For I was once his slave, when he was lord of estates, of property and silver.
Now that his hand has fallen from glory and comfort, he stretches it out begging at people's doors.
The master smiled and said, My son, this is no injustice; no one is wronged by the turning of the wheel of time.
Was he not that hard driving merchant who once lifted his head to the sky in arrogance?
I am the very one he drove from his door that day; and now time has cast him down into my former place.
Then heaven looked kindly on me again and washed the dust of sorrow from my face.
If God in His wisdom closes one door, He opens another through His grace and generosity.
How many a penniless wretch has been filled to satisfaction; how many a rich man's affairs have been turned upside down.