By Paulo Coelho
Nixivan had invited his friends to supper and was cooking a succulent piece of meat for them. Suddenly, he realised that he had run out of salt.
So Nixivan called to his son.
‘Go to the village and buy some salt, but pay a fair price for it: neither too much nor too little.’
His son was surprised.
‘I can understand why I shouldn’t pay too much for it, Father, but if I can bargain them down, why not save a bit of money?’
‘That would be the sensible thing to do in a big city, but it could destroy a small village like ours.’
When Nixivan’s guests, who had overheard their conversation, wanted to know why they should not buy salt more cheaply if they could, Nixivan replied:
‘The only reason a man would sell salt more cheaply than usual would be because he was desperate for money. And anyone who took advantage of that situation would be showing a lack of respect for the sweat and struggle of the man who laboured to produce it.’
‘But such a small thing couldn’t possibly destroy a village.’
‘In the beginning, there was only a small amount of injustice abroad in the world, but everyone who came afterwards added their portion, always thinking that it was only very small and unimportant, and look where we have ended up today.’
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Bonjour monsieur Coelho,
I’ve added your blog to my daily reads today. Hope you don’t mind if I write a little review on it in my own blog. Short and sweet should do the trick. Very inspiring, and you’ve no idea how close to home this message is for me today. Oui, très touchant I’ll be sure to get my hands on your latest novel as well.
Best regards,
ilana aka “Smiler”
One of the greatest story I’ve ever read. A Great reminder too.
Sorry this is off topic, but I have heard that Paulo is coming to Jordan to sign his book next june.
I am so excited for that. Paulo, you are my favourite writer.
I can’t wait to attend that event!
Welcoem to Amman :)
i like all ur books. very inspiring…
sorry, my english is not good at all..
i have some murmuring, and i really want to know ur idea..
sometimes, (could i say always?) God may does some injustice for us. the only justice He does is let we all born in naked. we bring nothing to our world. but God prepares everything different for you and me and them. different family, different way of life, different talents, different luck..
we used to hate someone who kills people sadistically. but may we angry to God coz He’s take the many lifes we love in second? we may not. coz what we have today is from God, we just borrowed it from Him. but sometimes it makes some people too afraid to love. coz we dont know when God takes away the loves and leave us in cry,,
can you tell in your way, in which part God does something in justice??
mm,..i m from Indonesia..do you have plan to visit my country?
really wish u would be here someday..