WHEN I BRING to you coloured toys, my child, I understand why there is such a play of colours on clouds, on water, and why flowers are painted in tints-when I give coloured toys to you, my child. When I sing to make you dance I truly know why there is music in leaves, and why waves send their chorus of voices to the heart of the listening earth-when I sing to make you dance. When I bring sweet things to your greedy hands I know why there is honey in the cup of the flower and why fruits are secretly filled with sweet juice-when I bring sweet things to your greedy hands. When I kiss your face to make you smile, my darling, I surely understand what the pleasure is that streams from the sky in morning light, and what delight that is which the summer breeze brings to my body-when I kiss you to make you smile.
'WHO AMONG you will take up the duty of feeding the hungry?' Lord Buddha asked his followers when famine raged at Shravasti. Ratnakar, the banker, hung his head and said, 'Much more is needed than all my wealth to feed the hungry.' Jaysen, the chief of the King's army, said, I would gladly give my life's blood, but there is not enough food in my house.' Dharmapal, who owned broad acres of land, said with a sigh, 'The drought demon has sucked my fields dry. I know not how to pay King's dues.' Then rose Supriya, the mendicant's daughter. She bowed to all and meekly said, 1 will feed the hungry.' 'How!' they cried in surprise. 'How can you hope to fulfil that vow?' I am the poorest of you all,' said Supriya, 'that is my strength. I have my coffer and my store at each of your houses.'
