An old story tells that one day, a countryman knocked hard
on a monastery door. When the monk tending the gates opened up, he was given a
magnificent bunch of grapes.
- Brother, these are the finest my vineyard has produced.
I’ve come to bear them as a gift.
- Thank you! I will take them to the Abbot immediately, he’ll
be delighted with this offering.
- No! I brought them for you. For whenever I knock on the
door, it is you opens it. When I needed help because the crop was destroyed by
drought, you gave me a piece of bread and a cup of wine every day.
The monk held the grapes and spent the entire morning
admiring it. And decided to deliver the gift to the Abbot, who had always
encouraged him with words of wisdom.
The Abbot was very pleased with the grapes, but he recalled
that there was a sick brother in the monastery, and thought:
“I’ll give him the grapes. Who knows, they may bring some
joy to his life.”
And that is what he did. But the grapes didn’t stay in the
sick monk’s room for long, for he reflected:
“The cook has looked after me for so long, feeding me only
the best meals. I’m sure he will enjoy these.”
The cook was amazed at the beauty of the grapes. So perfect
that no one would appreciate them more than the sexton; many at the monastery
considered him a holy man, he would be best qualified to value this marvel of
nature.
The sexton, in turn, gave the grapes as a gift to the
youngest novice, that he might understand that the work of God is in the
smallest details of Creation. When the novice received them, he remembered the
first time he came to the monastery, and of the person who had opened the gates
for him; it was that gesture which allowed him to be among this community of
people who knew how to value the wonders of life.
And so, just before nightfall, he took the grapes to the
monk at the gates.
- Eat and enjoy them – he said. – For you spend most of your
time alone here, and these grapes will make you very happy.
The monk understood that the gift had been truly destined
for him, and relished each of the grapes, before falling into a pleasant sleep.
Thus the circle was closed; the circle of happiness and joy,
which always shines brightly around generous people.
Unknown Author
