The Forgotten Pearl
Once upon a time there was a merchant who had to travel a long way to visit his brother. He had to travel over land and sea for a long while in order to reach his brother’s homeland. Many preparations were made before leaving his wife and family but each were given a present to keep while he was gone- to his wife he gave a jewelled necklace to wear that she might be reminded of him. It was made of gold and rubies as red as blood. To the eldest son the merchant handed three gold coins, his second son received two gold coins. Yet to the annoyance of the elder brothers the youngest son was given a priceless pearl that shimmered so brightly you could only look at it for a short while. Once the gifts were given the merchant set off to see his brother. It had been some time since the merchant and his brother had met as they had quarrelled and not sorted their differences. With reconciliation in mind he mounted his donkey and set his face to the East. There was such a long way to go and thus the merchant was accompanied by several servants carrying provisions for the journey. In their bags were included several valuable cups which could be exchanged for safe passage into foreign lands these were carefully hidden amongst clothing for fear of robbers. It was such a night for villainy for in the bushes some men were waiting ready for some unexpected traveller to be off guard weary with the hours spent on the road, slowly meandering on donkeys heavily laden with goods. Their daggers glinted in the moonlight like silver- on the travellers came to their fate. Now the merchant was not a foolish man nor was he an inexperienced traveller, and being a man of some wealth had servants trained for ambush and combat.
Thus he was equipped for most eventualities. However what occurred next he had not foreseen, greedily three bandits burst in front of the caravan and demanded their goods. The merchant refused their demands and fell behind his servants to allow them to fight as they had been trained to do. Swords clashed – steel on steel brandished coldly in the moonlit night air. Weather by bad luck or persistence on the part of the robbers, the servants fell one by one until the last; who fleeing fearfully into the night, left the merchant undefended. He begged for mercy as the bandits jeered at him and toyed with the bags on the donkeys. One man slit a bag open with his dagger, revealing the hidden treasures within the provisions and without another word the men seized the bags and slunk away into the darkness.
The merchant tore at his clothes in desperation knowing he was at the mercy of God, to keep his life, having been abandoned by his servants in a foreign land. What was he to do? Return home in shame disgracing his entire family? Or continue with his journey? As he pondered these things the servant who had run away in fear returned, saying, “Master, have pity on me for being such a faithless servant.” The man threw himself at the feet of his master and wept.
“Simon,” the merchant said gently “I am glad you have returned to me will you accompany me to my brother’s house?”
The servant was overjoyed to hear his master welcome him regardless of his dishonourable actions. He gathered the remaining donkeys that had not escaped and led them by a rope.
Many days passed thus; neither servant nor master speaking save on when to rest, when to water the donkeys and when to travel onwards. The sun beat down upon them giving little rest from its rays as they travelled side by side, leaving footprints and hoof marks in the sand. The journey was wearisome and filled with long hours often with precious little water as it had to be filled from certain wells along the way. The water was cool and refreshing when poured over their heads, washing away the sand and sweat of the day as each village was reached. It was one such village that looked much the same as all the others that a curious incident occurred; a man sat at the wayside asked the servant if he would draw water for him as his hand was withered and he did not have the strength to do it. The merchant nodded his agreement and the servant drew water from the well for the crippled man. The merchant, feeling sorry for the man, instructed his servant to take out some money to give to the stranger. The servant did as he were asked but pondered why the Master might do such a thing as most of their valuables had been stolen. Yet he said nothing as he gave the man with the withered hand the money, who was most astonished the stranger would take pity on him. The merchant merely waved the man on his way and found somewhere for his donkeys to be cared for while he and his servant were housed. A maid brought them victuals and water for washing, after cleaning the dirt from their feet and refreshing themselves they sat down to eat. The master said the blessing and broke the bread which they shared hungrily.
“Master, forgive me for asking; but most of your money is gone. Is there enough to give strangers or will it all be spent on this journey? I am afraid you will be left with nothing.”
“How can I be left with nothing as my youngest son holds my most precious possession, my wife is adorned with jewels and my elder sons are entrusted with gold coins? When I come home I will not come empty handed,” the merchant smiled. “No my heart shall be filled with joy and my brother will share his riches with me.”
Simon was not so sure; he knew how greedy the merchant’s elder boys could be and doubted the sincerity of the merchant’s brother. Many weeks passed and sure enough all the merchant’s money was gone for several other people had been given from the seemingly endless bags of riches. Beggars, the blind and the undeserving had money lavished upon them and also the servant and master were occasionally spoiled at various inns.
“Simon, we have eaten our fill and made many friends along the journey, now we are nearly at my brother’s house and have nothing left not even a gift for my brother’s hospitality,” The Merchant said neither regretfully nor bitterly. He was a changed man since the robbery and had lost his cunning and vitriol during the journey. The servant knew there was nothing left but did not leave his mater’s side he would follow him to the end.
