Story 18: The Generous Prince

A prince inherited vast treasure from his father. He opened his hand in generosity, gave freely, and poured his wealth without stint on soldiers and common people alike. A box of aloeswood gives no scent to the nose; put it on the fire, and it smells like amber. If you want to be great, be generous; for a seed will not grow until you scatter it. One of his shortsighted courtiers began to advise him: 'The kings before you gathered this wealth with great effort and set it aside for a purpose. Stop this behavior, for troubles lie ahead and enemies lie behind; you must not be caught empty-handed when you are in need.' If you give away a treasure among the common folk, only a trifle reaches each household head. Why not take a single grain of silver from each, so that in time a treasure gathers back to you? The king turned his face away in disgust at these words, rebuked him, and said: 'God Most High has made me the owner of this kingdom so that I may enjoy it and give it away, not to be a watchman who merely guards it.' Korah, who had forty houses full of treasure, perished; Noushirvan did not die, for he left behind a good name.