There once was a man who heard about a place where diamonds grew in the streets. He wasn’t a rich man, but he wasn’t poor either, he just wanted more.
The man left his home and traveled far away to this magical diamond-filled place where he would gather the treasures and bring them back to sell at great profits.
Once he arrived, he marvelled that it was true. Enormous diamonds were growing everywhere as far as the eye could see. And so, he gathered up as many diamonds as his bags could hold to bring back home.
After a hard day’s work, the man was hungry. He went to an inn and ordered his meal. When it came time to pay, he offered the proprietor one of his diamonds.
“Diamonds?” he huffed. “We don’t accept worthless rocks for payment.”
“What is the currency?” the man asked.
“Onions,” said the innkeeper.
When the man realized that he couldn’t even afford a simple meal in this place of diamonds, he realized something else, too.
What one culture considers junk, another may regard as a priceless treasure. Understanding the needs and values of others should always come first before assuming you know what someone else holds dear.
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