– I come, teacher, because I feel so little that I don't have the strength to do anything. They tell me that I'm useless, that I don't do anything right, that I'm clumsy, quite stupid. How can I improve? What can I do to be appreciated more?
The teacher without looking at him said:
– I'm so sorry boy, I can't help you, I have to solve my own problem first. Maybe later... -and after a long pause he added- if you wanted to help me, I could resolve this issue more quickly and then maybe I can help you.
"I... delighted, master," the young man hesitated, but he felt that he was once again undervalued and his needs postponed.
"Well," the teacher agreed. He took off the ring he was wearing on the little finger of his left hand and giving it to the boy he added – take the horse that is out there and ride to the market. I have to sell this ring because I have a debt to pay. You need to get as much as possible for it, but don't accept less than one gold coin. Go ahead and come back with that coin as fast as you can.
The young man took the ring and left.
As soon as he arrived, he began to offer the ring to the merchants.
They looked at him with some interest until the young man said what he intended for the ring.
When the young man mentioned the gold coin, some laughed, others turned their faces away, and only one old man was kind enough to take the trouble to explain that a gold coin was too valuable to exchange for a ring. In an effort to help, someone offered him a silver coin and a copper pot, but the young man had instructions not to accept less than a gold coin and refused the offer.
After offering his jewel to everyone who passed through the market – more than a hundred people – and dejected by his failure, he mounted his horse and returned.
How the young man would have liked to have that gold coin himself! He could then have given it to the master to free him from his concern and then receive his advice and help.
Entered the room.
– Master – he said – I'm sorry, it's not possible to get what you asked for. Perhaps I could get two or three silver coins, but I don't think I can fool anyone about the true value of the ring.
- How important what you said, young friend - replied the teacher smiling - we must first know the true value of the ring. Remount and go to the jeweler. Who better than him to know it? Tell him that you would like to sell the ring and ask him how much he gives you for it. But no matter what he offers, don't sell it to him. Come back here with my ring.
The young man resumed riding.
The jeweler examined the ring in the light of the lamp, looked at it with his magnifying glass, weighed it and then said:
– Tell the boy teacher, if he wants to sell it now, I can't give him more than 58 gold coins for his ring.
– 58 coins??! – exclaimed the young man.
- Yes - replied the jeweler - I know that with time we could get about 70 coins for him, but I don't know... If the sale is urgent...
The young man ran excitedly to the teacher's house to tell him what had happened.
– Sit down – the teacher said after listening to him – . You are like this ring: a valuable and unique jewel. And as such, only an expert can truly evaluate you.
what do you do for life pretending that anyone discovers your true value?
And saying this, he put the ring back on the little finger of his left hand.