King Solomon and The Two Harps🔊

In an age-old kingdom, there lived a wise old monarch named King Solomon. King Solomon was known for his fairness and wisdom all over the kingdom and even across the borderlines.

However, as the king grew older, he was gripped by a new worry. How well would his kingdom fare after his time? To find out if his people were capable enough to take on roles of responsibility and make wise decisions for the kingdom, he set a test.

One morning, King Solomon declared to his court, 'By the power vested in me, I offer you all a challenge. There are two harps before you. One harp is made of gold, richly embedded with jewels - sparkling diamonds, vibrant emeralds, and radiant rubies. This harp holds within itself the riches of our kingdom. On the other hand, the second harp is plain, made of the simplest wood, as humble as the boy who plays it at the market. This holds within itself the heart of our kingdom. I task you with deciding which harp is more valuable.'

The court was thrown into a chaos of whispers and debates. Some saw no sense in questioning the value of gold and jewels, hence siding with the golden harp. Yet, others valued the simple wooden harp for the music it made, reaching straight to the heart.

Days passed and the debate raged on, yet not one man or woman could convince the king of their stance decisively. Finally, the day came when the king's most trusted advisor, an old man named Joseph stepped up. 'Your Majesty,' he began, 'I believe the most valuable harp is not the gold one.'

A murmur ran through the court. ‘How can you disregard the immense monetary value of the golden harp, Joseph?’ one of the courtiers questioned.

Joseph calmly responded, 'The golden harp, no doubt, holds material riches, but its true purpose, which is to produce melodious music, has been lost in its extravagant adornment. The simple wooden harp, on the contrary, is pure in serving its purpose. It creates the most beautiful melodies that can touch hearts and lift spirits. Its value, although not monetary, is priceless because it fulfills its purpose and it holds the soul of the kingdom within its simplicity.'

With these words, silence fell over the court. King Solomon, breaking the silence, clapped his hands in awe and appreciation. 'Very well said Joseph,' he said, 'your wisdom has once again brought light to this room. The true value of anything lies not in its outward beauty or wealth, but in its ability to fulfill its purpose.'

Thus, the kingdom learned that wisdom was not simply knowing a lot but understanding the value of things. The story also instilled in the people the importance of service and purpose over material wealth. And King Solomon, with newfound satisfaction, looked forward to the kingdom’s future, confident in its people’s wisdom.

So, the story of the two harps has been passed down through the generations, serving as a reminder that in life, what is often perceived as valuable might not be truly valuable, and the real riches lie in the simplest of things, in their purpose, and their ability to touch hearts and souls.