What The Old Man Said to The God of Prosperity.

I've had just enough time...   to say no to the God of Prosperity

Taken from the hotel lobby of Jesselton Hotel in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

The God of Prosperity approached the old man with the slumped shoulder walking in the street. “Pray to me and I will bestow you riches untold!”

The old man lifted his weary head and looked at the God of Prosperity. A hint of a smile curled up his lips, looked to the ground again and continued on his way.

The God of Prosperity let him walked pass and waited, confident he will turn back for who can refuse free gold. But when it appeared that the old man’s intention is only to continue on his way; the God of Prosperity ran after him; his oversized stomach bouncing up and down as he caught up. How undignified for a God to be running after a man, he thought angrily. Through panted breath, he exclaimed “Are you short of hearing? I offered you Gold! Real gold for free!”

The old man replied patiently, “Leo Tolstoy said - Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold.”

The old man continued, “I say - Gold, like Truth, cannot be obtained if you do not dig deep enough. Real gold cannot be recognized by its glitters for eyes are easily seduced. And once you are, you will sell your soul. I will tell Mr. Tolstoy one has to wash away the glitters too.” With that he gave another smile and a respectful bow and shuffled on his way.

The God of Prosperity was dumb struck. He recovered enough to ask “Have we met before?”

The old man replied without turning, “Yes, you were the one who sold me the false gold.”