Invited to a grand reception Chang did not dress for the occasion. Arriving in his everyday clothes he was treated with disrespect and contempt. No-one paid him any attention and the servants did their utmost to ignore him, not even serving him dinner. Slipping out unnoticed, Chang went home and changed into the finest silk tunic, belt and robes adorned with breath-taking jewellery, a magnificent turban and an expensive overcoat.
Returning to the banquet he was received with open arms. Although all harboured their individual hidden agenda and a little envy, the hosts were delighted to see such a man of obvious importance and asked him to sit with them at the highest table, offering him a plate filled with the choicest delicacies.
Then, much to the bewilderment of the hosts and everyone present, Chang removed his coat and turban, placed them before the plate and said: ‘Eat, my master, eat.’
‘What are you doing?’ one of the astonished hosts enquired.
‘It is my apparel that you are honouring, not me,’ replied Chang...
For the rest of this story you have to read The Teachings of Billionaire Yen Tzu Volume I - Chapter 4.
These Chinese parables really stimulate my thinking. It is so true that people are influenced to judge you by your designer items and not your true colours. It is sad that we cannot be ourselves in certain situations but feel we have to impress our peer group with what we have. If you read the rest of this story you will see how Yen Tzu directs us away from Ego and towards inner harmony.
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