How Valuable Are You?
How valuable are you?
What is the value of your life?
Do you let others determine your value?
Another story* of Grandfatherly advice
“A little boy went to his grandfather and asked him, “What is the value of life grandfather?”
The grandfather gave him a stone and said, “First I want you to find out the value of this stone, but don’t sell it.”
The boy took the stone to a fruit vendor and asked him what its value would be.
The vendor saw the shiny stone and said, “How about you can take a dozen apples and give me the stone.”
The boy apologized and said that his grandfather had asked him not to sell it.
He went ahead and found a vegetable vendor.
“What could be the value of this stone?” he asked the vegetable vendor.
He saw the shiny stone and said, “How about you take a sack of potatoes and give me that stone.”
The boy again apologized and said he couldn’t sell it.
Further ahead, he went into a jewelry shop and asked the value of the stone.
The jeweler saw the stone under a lens and said, “I will give you one million dollars for this stone.”
The boy was surprised, but explained that he couldn’t sell the stone.
Further ahead, the boy saw a large shop of precious stones and asked the value of this stone.
The precious stone shop owner was an expert in these matters. When he saw the stone, he lay down a cloth and put it on it.
Then he walked in circles around the stone and bent down and scratched his head in front of it. “From where did you bring this priceless uncut diamond from?” he asked.
“Even if I sell everything I own, my whole shop, I won’t be able to purchase this priceless diamond.”
Stunned and confused, the boy returned to his grandfather and told him what had happened.
His grandfather said,
“The answers you got from the fruit vendor, the vegetable vendor, the jeweler and the precious stone’s expert explain the value of your life.
You are a precious stone, even priceless, but, some people may value you based on their own limited perceptions, beliefs, motives and expectations.
For this reason it is important to value yourself. Respect yourself. No longer indulge in meaningless comparisons with others. For you are unique, original and the only one of your kind in this universe. This is the value of your life.”
May you value the diamond in yourself and recognize the diamond in others as well.”
Be Good Do Good Think Good
* I wish I knew the origin of this story so that I could give proper attribution
The Spinning Rabbi - Heart & Soul 
Thanks Fred! I agree beautiful story. I will share with my kids.
thank you. I think it’s a great story as well to share with kids and remind them
Very telling.
I like these words of wisdom. It is so true of the people that we encounter throughout our lives. It’s important for us to set up our own priceless value first.
Well said thank you
Very true and inspiring in a way. Thank you.
In what way?
Thank you for reading it
Thank you, Fred. What a great teaching story. I will keep this filed in my heart–along with Moishe and the other parables you’ve offered.
A few days ago, I caught a bit of an NPR story where the speaker opined that “stories” were more important than “rules” for people who were religious. I know that they are for me.
I’m impressed with the meaningful add-on at the ending where the child is also encouraged to “find the diamond in others as well.” If we like the story, we naturally understand.
Thank you as always Jocko
Throughout the ages Rabbis (real ones) taught using stories, metaphors, parables, etc. so it almost comes naturally for me:)
Beautiful Fred
I thought so too and that’s why I posted it for others to see