What Do You Give Your Attention To?

Send us Fan MailRemember a while back when I shared the story about the greedy King, who never smiled? He learned that there was a magical quiltmaker living in the mountains. He asked one of his soldiers why he had never received a quilt from the quiltmaker. The soldier replied, "Because she only gives her quilts to the poor." When the king demanded she give him a quilt, she refused. He became obsessed with having one, but no matter what he said to the old woman, she refused. Finally, she said, "Alright, make a gift of everything you own, give everything away, and then I will make you a quilt." It was most difficult for the king, but soon, he complied with the old woman's demand and slowly began giving away his treasures. A strange thing began to happen. the more he gave away, the happier he became. He began smiling. While he gave, the old woman worked on his quilt. Finally, it was finished, and she went down the mountain to search for the king. She found him in tattered clothes with holes in his boots. She handed him the quilt. He asked what it was for, and she reminded him that she promised to give him one of her quilts when the day came that he had given all he had to the poor. He told the old woman that he may look poor now, but his heart was bursting with happiness, and he felt he was the richest man around. (The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau)Ah, interesting how when he gave his attention to giving and helping the poor, he became the happier, truly rich in spirit. Thanks for listening.