A HINDU LEGEND
In the courtyard of a famous temple in the city of Benares, in India, a strange thing happened. A plate of gold fell from no man knew where, and on it were found the words: "To him who loveth best, a gift from heaven. "Then the priests of the temple sent a crier through the city to let everybody know of this wonder, and to ask that those who thought themselves worthy to own the plate should come to the temple and state their claims. The priests would listen to the tales of their good deeds, and give the prize to him who seemed best fitted to have it.
The news spread far and wide. From every quarter came nobles and commoners, scholars and holy men, many of them famed for splendid acts of kindness. The priests of the temple heard each man"s story; and so, for a year, the case went on.
At last, after careful thought, the judges made up their minds to give the plate of gold to a certain man who seemed to have shown himself the best lover of his race, a man who, during the year, had shared his rich estate among the poor.
Trembling with joy, he came forward to take the heavenlygift, and, behold! as soon as his finger-tips touched it, the gold changed to lead. But, when in dismay he let the plate fall on the floor of the courtyard, the baser metal changed at once to gold.
For another year the priests sat and judged. Three times did they make awards, and three times did the metal change. Meanwhile a host of poor, maimed beggars lay, day and night, before the temple gate, hoping to move that love by which alone men could win the gift. Money was freely given to them by those who hoped for the reward; but none of the givers so much as turned to look into the sad eyes of them that begged.
The second year had almost passed, but still the plate was turned to lead at every touch. At last, from a distance, there came to the temple a poor, simple peasant, who had not heard of the gift. His only purpose was to pray. As he passed through the crowd of beggars, and saw their maimed limbs and their faces all awry with pain, his soul was moved to pity, and tears trembled in his eyes.
Nearest to the gate lay a poor creature, blind, and shunned by all. And, when the peasant saw him, he could not pass him by, but knelt beside him, and took both hands in his, and said softly, "O my poor brother, bear your trouble bravely. God is good! " Then he rose, and walked across the court, and came to the place where men were boasting to the priests of their deeds of love.
He listened sadly for a while, then turned away. At this instant, something moved the priest who held the plate of gold to beckon to the peasant. Not knowing what the sign meant,the latter drew near, stretched out his hand, and took the sacred dish. Then it blazed with thrice its former brightness, till all the dim court shone. "My son, " said the priest, " rejoice ! The gift of God is thine. Thou lovest best! " And every one made answer, "It is well. "Then each went homeward his own way; but the peasant knelt and prayed, bowing his head over the golden plate, and, like morning light, the love of God streamed into his soul.
Author.-There are innumerable interesting Hindu legends, most of them from the ancient religions of Brahmanism and Buddhism. Many English writers and poets have taken their themes from these legends. One of the best known is Sir Edwin Arnold"s Light of Asia.
General.-Is it true that love (otherwise charity, altruism) is thegreatest thing in the world? Why? How does it manifest itself in actions? Charity seeketh not her own, suffereth long, vaunteth not, never faileth. Think of stories that illustrate this. Compare Leigh Hunt"s "Abou ben Adhem. "