Once Wealth and Povertyapproached a merchant and introduced themselves as Goddesses. The merchantoffered his salutations to both of them and said: "May I know what bringsyou to my humble tenement?" The Goddess of Wealth said: "We want youto judge and tell us as to who is more beautiful between us two?"

The merchant was in afix. He knew he was between the devil and the deep sea. If he were to declarewealth as more beautiful than poverty, poverty would curse him. If he were todeclare poverty as more beautiful, than wealth, wealth would forsake him.However, he regained his composure and said: "I have great respect for youboth. Would you please act according to my instructions? Then only I can judgeproperly." The Goddesses agreed. He said: "Mother wealth, would youplease go to the entrance (gates) and walk into the house? Mother, poverty!Would you please walk from here towards the gates? I can have a good look atyou both, from near and far." The two Goddesses did walk as the merchantwished them to. Then the merchant happily declared: "Mother wealth! Youappear very beautiful when you enter the house. Mother poverty! You look verybeautiful when you leave the house!" The Goddesses appreciated the wit andwisdom of the merchant. The Goddess of wealth happily stayed in his house whilethe Goddess of poverty cheerfully walked away.

When a serious problemconfronts us, if we look within and think calmly, a ray of hope and light willbeam forth and show us the way.

— Sri Sathya Sai Baba