Eighth Pitcher

Eighth Pitcher

A very rich man was not content. He wanted more without knowing why. Vaguely, there was a notion in his mind that it would be nice if he was the richest man in town. But if that would really make him happier he did not know. In fact he did not think much of anything. All he knew was he wanted more. So he engaged in rash, risky business deals; but this did not improve his condition significantly. In addition to other things he also began to visit the local temple mornings and evenings and prayed hard.

Hard to say if it was due to his prayers, and difficult even to call it good or bad luck, but on digging under one of his properties he found seven old pots full to the brim with gold coins. He was overjoyed. Surprisingly, however, he noticed that his desire for a lot more became even stronger than before and he began to ask more diviners to see if there were more gold pots to be found.

Again, due to his bad or good luck he struck another ancient pot with a lot of gold in it. But, the pot was a little more than half full. The wealthy man began to think why. ‘Who had stolen the missing gold? He must have got the idea from his first dig. How can I find him? In any case, he thought, ‘I must fill this eighth pot like the other seven as quickly as possible.’

He asked for a pot of gold full to the brim. He was given seven. To be even more generous the gods gave him a half full eighth pitcher. The man forgot about the seven pitchers and gave all his thoughts to the eighth pitcher. Why isn’t it full? How can I fill it?

He worked day and night; even neglected his family and health. In the end he died quite young in the ICU room of an expensive hospital. Truly his greed was ever lasting but his health and body were not. He never learned that a half full purse is okay, but not an empty heart.

It does not cost a paisa to fill ones heart with love, joy, and contentment. Then it does not matter if the eighth pitcher is full or empty.

March 12, 2005