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Book Name: The Sword and the LotusPrevious     Next
 

and the people of intelligence are devoid of power.

I will tell you a small story to make it clear....

A great mystic heard that one of his friends, a childhood friend -- they had played together, studied together -- had become the prime minister of the country. Just to congratulate him, the mystic came down from the mountains. It was a long journey, tiring. By the time he reached the prime minister's palace, the prime minister was getting ready to go somewhere.

He recognized the mystic, but he said, "I'm sorry, I have some appointments. I have to go to three places, and I would love it if you can come with me. On the way we can talk and remember the golden old days."

The mystic said, "I would love to come with you, but you can see my rags are full of dust. It would not look right to sit by your side on a golden chariot."

The prime minister said, "Don't be worried. The king has presented me with a very costly overcoat. I have never used it; I have been keeping it for some special occasion. I will give you the coat. You just put it on; it will cover your clothes, the dust and everything."

The coat was given to him. They reached the first house. They entered the house. The prime minister introduced his friend: "He is a great mystic. He lives in the mountains. Everything that he has is his own, except the coat -- that is mine."

The mystic could not believe it: "What kind of stupidity is this?"

Even the family was shocked, to insult the mystic in such a way.

Outside the house the mystic said, "It is better I do not accompany you. You insulted me. What was the need to say that it is your coat? They were not asking."

He said, "I am sorry, forgive me. And if you don't come with me to the next appointment, I will think you have not forgiven me."

The mystic was a simple-hearted man. He said, "Then it is okay, I am coming."

Entering the second house, the prime minister introduced him: "He is a great mystic who lives in the mountains. Everything is his -- even the coat is his!"

The mystic could not believe that this man had any intelligence at all. Outside he simply refused: "I cannot

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