The Gift Refused – By Niranjan Selvadurai
At an assembly the sage sat tall
His wisdom’s light embracing all
When storming forth with fire in breath,
A stranger seethed, consumed by wrath.
As fiery words like arrows split the air
From an intruding, hissing misled snake.
The great sage heeded calmly in his chair
As tranquil as silver moonlight on a lake.
After the mighty tempest blew away,
This is what the wise one had to say:
“A gift once given but turned away—
Tell me, who then holds its sway?”
“Is that a question put to me?
When a gift is offered and then refused
The giver keeps it, that we all see.”
Barked the stranger quite unamused
The awaken one spoke with calm clarity
“As the gift refused stays with thee,
So would declined insults offered free.”
Let this be a wisdom for all to see!
When the world casts words of ire,
Anger tempts us to return the fire.
Wear not the cruel pain or shame,
Let it just return to whence it came.
