The Value of a Life

A young man once asked of God, “What is the value of a life?” God answered him, “Take this shiny stone, Determine its value without ever giving it up, And you will get your answer.” The young man took the stone to a grocer. “What will you give me for this shiny stone?” The grocer replied, “A dozen oranges. Now give me your shiny stone.” “I cannot give you my stone”, the young man replied. “No oranges for you”, said the grocer. The young man took the stone to a clothing store. “What will you give me for this shiny stone?” “A fine suit of clothes and this tie”, said the store owner. “Now give me your shiny stone.” “God said that I cannot give you my stone” replied the young man. “Please leave my shop”, said the store owner. The young man took his shiny stone to a banker. “What will you loan me against this stone?” “Ten thousand dollars”, said the banker, “But you must leave me the stone for collateral.” “God said that I cannot give you my stone” replied the young man. “Then I cannot loan you any money”, said the banker. The young man took his stone to a jeweler. “What will you give me for this shiny stone?” The jeweler looked carefully at the stone. He examined it from many angles. He asked “Do you know what this stone is?” “It’s a rough diamond, bigger than any I have ever seen!” “I have nothing in my jewelry store to match its worth.” The young man took his shiny stone back home again And grasped the value of a thing that cannot be traded away.