Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it...

Almost two and a half millenia before today, the great master Confucius said that everything has its beauty. More importantly, he added that not everyone sees it. Simple words. But, the effect has not been lost over all these years. How often do we categorize everything..every person..every moment around us into "beautiful" and "not so.." ?? Consider it. A rose is beautiful. Yes. What about the thorns? They too are beautiful. Their beauty lies in the fact that they are never scared of withering. The sunset is beautiful. Yes. But, what about the sky? It is beautiful too because it can show different designs to different people. Again, we find some people beautiful. And the reference is usually based on their exterior looks. Same is the case with relationships, friendships, situations, moments and memories.

Let me tell you now a tale of another age...Long ago..when everyone could speak to each other. Including man. Birds. Animals. Mountains. Rivers. The sun, the wind and even the stars.

Once there was an argument between two little house sparrows...The female house sparrow was quite upset with her lover. She felt that no one cared about her. Including him. He tried to convince her of his love. But she would not listen. She kept sobbing. He asked her what would make her happy. Wiping her tears, she told him to find out the most beautiful thing in the world. And bring it to her. Then she would be happy..Her lover was shocked. He did not know what to do. He went and spoke to his friends..the pigeon and the crow. Both told him that it would be very difficult.

But the sparrow did not lose hope. For he loved her. More than anything else in the world. So, the sparrow went to the tree and asked him about it. The tree said its fruits were the most beautiful. The sparrow smiled..but did not believe this. The tree told him to go to the mountains...for they can see from such great heights..The sparrow flew..and flew..Was very tired. But, he did reach the mountains. They told him that their snow covered peaks were the most beautiful. The sparrow was not convinced. He was asked to go and talk to the all knowing wind. So, the sparrow decided to go and talk to the wind. The wind was surprised when the tiny sparrow asked him about the most beautiful thing in the world. The wind said that its ability to change forms made it beautiful. The sparrow laughed. This made the wind angry. It blew like it had never blown before. The sparrow could barely hold on. The force of the wind blew him towards the sun. But, he was determined. So, he asked the sun the same question.The sun told him that his sunset was the most beautiful. The sparrow was not one to believe this. He told the sun about what the others claimed to be the most beautiful. The sun got irritated. How could this little one speak like that? So he shone like never before..The sparrow then was feeling very hot. Fortunately, it was evening soon..The sparrow was relieved. And then there was darkness..the stars twinkled..The sparrow thought this was his last hope..For the stars spanned across different worlds. Surely they would tell him correctly.

So, he went up to the North Star. Shining very bright. The star was puzzled. How did this little one make it upto here? Nevertheless..the star was calm..He thought for a moment..Then he asked the sparrow..."Why did you come all this way?" The sparrow replied, "My lover wants me to bring her the most beautiful thing in the world..But, I dont know what it is.." And then he told the star about all the experiences that day. The star smiled. In a knowing manner..he said, "My dear sparrow..Love is the most beautiful thing in the world..Go back to your lover..and give her all of it." The sparrow was happy. He went back to his lover. And told her that she was the most beautiful thing in the world. And he dearly loved her. And she was finally happy.

Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it...Everyone has love....but not everyone sees it.