A captain traveled with a special unit of trained soldiers at the command of the king to accomplish an important task. The road was long, and the sun was setting on the tired soldiers after two days journey. The captain spotted an inn and ordered his unit to stop there.
The innkeeper was delighted to merit the honor to host the captain on the king’s mission. He therefore tried his best to make his valued guests’ stay a pleasant one. In their honor, he set a table filled with good food, and when they had eaten their fill, he prepared comfortable beds that would provide them with a good night’s sleep.
Upon rising in the morning, the captain asked the innkeeper how much he owed for all the services, and the innkeeper requested a great deal of money.
The captain paid the full amount and thanked the innkeeper. He then took his place at the head of his unit and continued his journey, quickly forgetting all about the inn and the innkeeper.
Several days later, he arrived at another inn, and this time as well, was showered with extraordinary hospitality as the innkeeper went well beyond the call of duty. Wanting to please his guests, the innkeeper served them delicious food, fine drink, and provided them with comfortable sleeping arrangements as well.
The next day, the captain approached the innkeeper and requested to pay for his stay. The innkeeper, however, would not hear of it.
“Absolutely not” the innkeeper said to the captain. “It is both a pleasure and an honor that a great individual such as yourself would choose to stay at my inn. The honor you have accorded me will be my full compensation!”
Upon hearing the innkeeper’s heartfelt words, the captain was filled with tremendous affection for the simple man. He then commanded one of his soldiers to go and bring a particularly heavy chest from one of the wagons. Opening the chest, he removed beautiful jewelry and gems and presented them to the innkeeper.
“Here you go, my dear sir,” said the captain. “This is a small portion of the reward that you shall receive for the respect and loyalty that you have shown me. In addition, if you ever need anything from the king, do not hesitate to contact to me”
The captain went on his way, but never forgot the innkeeper and his kindness.
There are two types of servants of the Holy One, blessed be He. The first one serves in order to receive a reward. the Holy One, blessed be He certainly looks upon his Divine service favorably, but he receives only his due reward.
This is not the case, however, with one who serves the Holy One, blessed be He with joy over having merited to serve the King Above All Kings. His reward is many times greater and brings the Holy One, blessed be He much gratification.
The sages taught, “Be not as servants who serve the master for the sake of receiving of reward, but rather, be like servants who serve the master not for the sake of receiving a reward” (Pirkei Avos 1:3)
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)