The Value of Copper coin

CEBU, Philippines - Mahatma Gandhi, honored as the father of India, was a very special person. He was called “Mahatma,” meaning great soul, for many reasons.

Once, Gandhi was on an expedition to collect funds from various cities and villages for an organization to help the poor. He went to several places and finally reached the place called Orissa. He organized a meeting there.

He gave a public speech, requesting the local people to contribute funds for the organization. At the end of his speech, a very old woman with bent back, tattered clothing, white hair, and shrunken skin got up. She requested the volunteers to allow her to reach Gandhi.

However, the volunteers stopped her. The old woman did not give up. She insisted and forced her way through, and reached Gandhi.

She touched Gandhi’s feet. Then she took out a copper coin kept in the folds of her saree and placed it at his feet. The old lady then left the stage.

Gandhi very carefully took the coin. The treasurer of the organization for the poor approached Gandhi and asked for the copper coin to be put into the common collection box. Gandhi refused to give it.

“I keep contributions worth thousands of rupees,” said the treasurer. “Do you not trust me with a copper coin?”

Gandhi answered softly, “This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands. If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn’t mean much.”

But the coin might have been the only thing that the poor old woman possessed. She did not even have proper clothes and could not afford good food. Still she gave everything she had. Gandhi saw the pure generosity of the woman and her earnest intention to give. And so he regarded the coin as very precious.

Offering part of the many that we have is good – but that does not compare with giving all of the little that we have. It makes our giving more meaningful. (www.kidsworldfun.com)