Rakesh Ambati rakesh_ambati@yahoo.com Sun Apr 4 22:14:23 IST 2004

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Dear Friends,

Peace reign at last on our list, I don't wish to alter that.But sometimes I wonder whether this the calm before the storm.

We are had our arguments over this issue and we shall many more.I wrote this story to show my view on this matter.Hope you'll enjoy it.

--arky

Of All Money's Worth ===================== Copyright (c) 2004 Rakesh "arky" Ambati.See end for copying conditions.

Preface ======= This story was written to portray what I feel separates OSI from FSF philosophy.It trys not to support either of schools, but I leaves it you as the reader to decide.

Am a wanderer. I have no home and nothing to call my own, I wonder what's the use for such things for the one who's seeks the essence.

My early years were spent in the land of my teachers, studying the mystical world of magic, now I wander where the essence leads me.

Through the golden sands of the desert I pass, to the the city of kaliya.

It is written by the wise of the old ages, that those who seek with find it here in this noble land. Through the ages men came here,in search of fortune and fame.

Upon this blessed soil I walk, mingling in the crowd of this thriving city. Walking through the street I savored upon the sights.

'Make way for the royal magician'.The palanquin bearer called.

Lost in thoughts,I found myself standing before a majestic palanquin.

'Has the royal magician's forgotten to walk or ' I asked 'they can't bear his weight any more'.

The palanquin bears stood silently, Wondering whether my time on this earth has come to end,thus I dare to speak so.

'No my brother' I magician said getting out of the palanquin.'the magician walks with his equal'

'Bless this day, we meet again' he said.

He dismissed the palanquin bearers who rushed to the magician house to make arrangements for guest.

'Walk with me, my brother for we have lot to talk'.The magician said

Leaving the bustling streets we came upon a path that took us to pond filled with lotus flowers.

'The royal magical has a great heart' I said.

'A great heart and wealth to match' he said.

'The patrons of this land are benevolent, my magic brings me fame and wealth' he said.

'Your wanderings has brought you to this great city.Your magic is great,here it will be measured in silver and gold'.

'The essence is for all who seek, its not for the pleasure of few' I said.

'Does the great essence diminish if you seek its worth in gold'.The magician asked.

'The essence can not be measured,none but the one who seek it know its worth' I said.

The magician was silent,I looked over the pond filled with lotus flowers.Few children came running down the path carrying small water pitchers,gleefully laughing. A little girl chased a boy who snatched her flower.

She came running and brushed against the royal magician. The pitcher slipped as the girl stumbled and broke into pieces.Seeing the royal magician and a stranger the children ran.

The royal magician raised the crying girl and said 'Cry not for what's broken.Here, take this silver and buy yourself a new one.'

The little girl threw the coins and broke into renewed sobs.

With the ends of my flowing rob I wiped the tears of the girl and said 'No Cry,My Princess.Tell me what you wish.'

The little girl turned her gaze to the shards of her lovely pitcher.

Smiling, I moved my palms over her eyes and said.

'My Princess, take your lovely pitcher and go home happy'.

The girl's face glowed with pleasure looking at her pitcher. She cradled the pitcher in her arms and went home smiling.

I looked at the silver lying in dust and thought

'Of all the money's worth, couldn't bring the smile on a child's face'.

Copying ======= Copyright (c) 2004 Rakesh "arky" Ambati. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.