In a humble village nestled amidst rolling hills, a saint embarked on a journey, seeking alms to sustain his modest existence. Knocking on each door with a gentle call of "Bhiksham Dehi," he humbly sought the generosity of the villagers.
One such door opened to reveal a modest abode, where a little girl emerged, her eyes filled with a mixture of innocence and sorrow. "Baba," she uttered softly, "we are poor, we have nothing to give you."
Undeterred by her words, the saint smiled warmly and offered a gentle reassurance. "Do not refuse, daughter," he said kindly. "If you don't have anything else, you can give me some mud from your house courtyard."
Curious yet compliant, the girl obediently scooped up a handful of earth and placed it into the saint's alms-pot. With a nod of gratitude, the saint continued on his journey, leaving behind a seed of wisdom in the young girl's heart.
Observing this exchange was a disciple, puzzled by the saint's unconventional request. "Guruji," he inquired, "why did you ask her to give you mud in alms? We could have sought alms elsewhere."
With a serene smile, the saint imparted a profound lesson to his disciple. "Son," he began, "if she had refused today, she may never have learned the joy of giving. By accepting her humble offering, we have planted the seeds of generosity within her young heart."
As they journeyed onward, the saint envisioned a future where the simple act of giving, sparked by a handful of mud, would blossom into a bountiful harvest of kindness and compassion. For in the innocence of childhood lies the potential to cultivate a spirit of generosity that transcends material wealth.
And so, the saint's wisdom echoed through the village, reminding all who heard his tale of the transformative power of giving, especially when it begins with the pure and untainted hearts of children.