And old story tells that one day, a countryman knocked hard on a monastery door. When the monk tending the gates opened up, he was given a magnificent bunch of grapes.
– Brother, these are the finest my vineyard has produced. I’ve come to bear them as a gift.
– Thank you! I will take them to the Abbot immediately, he’ll be delighted with this offering.
– No! I brought them for you. For whenever I knock on the door, it is you opens it. When I needed help because the crop was destroyed by drought, you gave me a piece of bread and a cup of wine every day.
The monk held the grapes and spent the entire morning admiring it. And decided to deliver the gift to the Abbot, who had always encouraged him with words of wisdom.
The Abbot was very pleased with the grapes, but he recalled that there was a sick brother in the monastery, and thought:
“I’ll give him the grapes. Who knows, they may bring some joy to his life.”
And that is what he did. But the grapes didn’t stay in the sick monk’s room for long, for he reflected:
“The cook has looked after me for so long, feeding me only the best meals. I’m sure he will enjoy these.”
The cook was amazed at the beauty of the grapes. So perfect that no one would appreciate them more than the sexton; many at the monastery considered him a holy man, he would be best qualified to value this marvel of nature.
The sexton, in turn, gave the grapes as a gift to the youngest novice, that he might understand that the work of God is in the smallest details of Creation. When the novice received them, he remembered the first time he came to the monastery, and of the person who had opened the gates for him; it was that gesture which allowed him to be among this community of people who knew how to value the wonders of life.
And so, just before nightfall, he took the grapes to the monk at the gates.
– Eat and enjoy them – he said. – For you spend most of your time alone here, and these grapes will make you very happy.
The monk understood that the gift had been truly destined for him, and relished each of the grapes, before falling into a pleasant sleep.
Thus the circle was closed; the circle of happiness and joy, which always shines brightly around generous people.
Unknown Author
Submitted by Elizabeth
This story is fantastic, didactic and emphatic. I love the flow. wow… thanks for such a wonderful insight as this.
Amazing story Elizabeth. Simple and sweet 🙂
As the saying goes ‘A good favour deserves another good favour’ then you do good God rewards with good.
Great story …journey of joy through grapes…
Lovely story. If you serve yo community with integrity, you will always be remembered n appreciated.
Great. I do appreciate the stories here.
Wow ! This was truly a moving story. Of all the stories this site had, I liked it the most… so true indeed.
Yes, even I liked this story best, wonderful site.
Happiness given has a way of coming back to you.
A truly inspiring story…love it!
Very true, we will get what is destined to us by God.
We think of our needs first but there are some in our groups who are thinking of others’ needs and these people make the perfect circle.
Joy of giving !! If you give something good.. it will circulate and you will get same joy !!!
When you give happiness it will revert back to you surely in one or another way.