Long long ago in a small village lived a poor man named Haridas. He earned his living by toiling daily in the fields or households of the wealthy.
But there were not many wealthy people in the locality and they had no enough work to offer him every day.
For three days he had no work. He, his wife and children were almost starving. Let me go into the forest. Maybe I will find some edible fruits or roots, he thought and he walked into the forest.
After some searching he found some ripe juicy guavas hanging from a tree. He was delighted. He climbed the tree and plucked them. This should carry us through this day, he thought as he climbed down.
He had just started on his return journey when he saw an old hermit seated under a tree. The old man looked so emaci- ated that Haridas was sure he had not eaten for many days. I can give him my share of the guavas. I can pull on for yet another day without any food, he thought and he quietly left a few guavas before the hermit.
The hermit opened his eyes and smiled. Haridas prostrated himself to the hermit. This is my humble offering to you, Sir, he said. I wish I could give you something more worthy. But I m so poor! The hermit smiled again, but said nothing.
Sir, give me a word of advice before I leave. I ll like to hear your voice, said Haridas.
Go forward, my boy! said the hermit and he closed his eyes.