A tailor was at work. He took a piece of cloth and with a pair of
shining, costly, scissors, he cut the cloth into various bits.

Then he put the pair of scissors at his feet. Then he took a small
needle and thread and started to sew the bits of cloth, into a fine
shirt. When the spell of sewing was over, he stuck the needle on to
his turban.

The tailor's son who was watching it asked him: "Father, the scissors
are costly and look so beautiful. But you throw them down at your
feet. This needle is worth almost nothing; you can get a dozen for an
anna. Yet, you place it carefully on your head itself. Is there any
reason for this illogical behaviour?"

"Yes, my son. The scissors have their function, no doubt; but they
only cut the cloth into bits. The needle, on the contrary, unites the
bits and enhances the value of the cloth. Therefore, the needle to me
is more precious and valuable. The value of a thing depends on its
utility, son, not on its cost-price or appearance."

Similarly, there are two classes of people in the world-those who
create dissensions and disharmony, who separate man from man; and
those who bring about peace and harmony, who unite people.

*******
The former are generally the rich people, powerful politicians and
kings; the latter are generally the poor devotees of God, the
penniless wandering monks, and mendicants. The Lord makes use of both
to carry on his function of providing the field for the evolution of
individual souls. He throws down on the dust the mighty kings and
millionaires who create wars and disharmony; and He keeps the poor,
pious devotee over His own head. In His eyes the scale of values is
entirely different!