Delightful deception
One day a certain gentleman woke up and thought to himself, “I’m going to exchange my gift of peace for something better!” So, he went down to the local gifts store and said to the owner, “I’m curious, what can I get in exchange for my gift of peace?”
The owner asked him,
“How long have you had your gift of peace?”
The gentleman replied,
“Oh! I’d say maybe … 12 years.”
The owner said,
“Wow! That is rare. So, why do you want to exchange such a valuable gift?”
The gentleman replied,
“It’s not that I want to get rid of my gift.
I guess I’m more curious about what it’s worth.”
The owner said,
“Well, I can tell you right now that your gift is priceless, but since most people don’t believe me, I’ll offer you the same thing I offer them.”
The gentleman replied,
“Really? Thanks. What’s your offer?”
The owner said,
“I’ll give you two gifts for your one gift.
The first gift is the very thing that many are continually chasing, and the second gift will follow you everywhere you go. So, would you like to trade?”
Since the gentleman was more curious than he was wise, he agreed to the exchange.
The owner then told the gentleman,
“Go to the back of the store, and behind the silk curtain, you’ll see my beautiful assistant who is waiting for you. She will give you the first gift – it’s the very thing so many are chasing. You’ll only spend an hour with her, and then your gift of peace will disappear. As you leave the store, the second gift will immediately follow you the rest of your days, and you’ll never forget the value of your previous gift.”