Once, there were two sisters who married and lived in towns distant from each other. As often happens with siblings, one sister found herself quite wealthy, while the other was very poor. Because of the great distance that separated them, they could see each other only once every several years. When that happened, each one would tell the other everything that had happened since the previous encounter.
Once when the poor sister went to visit the wealthy one, she was stunned at her wealthy sister’s appearance. “Why do you look so run down?” she inquired. “You are prosperous, with nothing to worry about. You always have everything you want. So why do you look so terrible?”
The wealthy sister opened her heart to her poor sister and told the bitter story of her life, the one she had hidden for so many years. The poor sister was aghast. She could hardly believe what she was being told. But her wealthy sister assured her that the entire story was true, that she had never found happiness in her life.
“What is the use of all this money” she wept, “if it does not help me find happiness? ‘Wakefulness over wealth wastes away one’s flesh, and anxiety about it drives away sleep.’ (Sirach 31:1) l can tell only you, my sister, the truth. My wealthy husband treats me horribly. He makes my life miserable. He treats me with no respect, humiliating me at every opportunity. Sometimes I don’t even know how I go on living this way. You ask me why I look so terrible. It is from living this lie. You may have a hard life, always worried about household expenses. Yet you look calm and serene. It is you who are really wealthy.”
“Well, you are right, my dear sister,” said the other. “It is all the result of my husband. We work hard, but we work together. He has a wonderful disposition, far better than mine. It is he who makes my life so peaceful-even with all of our financial worries. My husband and I are blessed as it is written, ‘You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you.’ (Psalm 128:2)
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)
Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us
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