An amazing story about three sisters and their help to a traveler, repaid with pearl jewelry.
The Parable of “The Three Sisters and the Pearl Jewelry”
Three sisters went to the well to draw water. The well was located not far from the gate of the city where they lived. While they were filling their pitchers, a traveler approached the well. After greeting the girls, he asked whether he could replenish his supply of water for himself and his camels, as he still had a long journey through the desert ahead of him. The girls gave him their rope and pitcher and agreed to help.
While he was drawing water, the girls asked him where he was from, whose son he was, what he did, and where he was traveling. The traveler told the sisters that he was the son of a pearl merchant and that he had now set out at his father’s request to find new pearls, and was carrying expensive oriental spices to trade for them.
The younger sister asked the traveler whether he could bring them pearl jewelry as well. He replied that he could. Then the middle sister took her aside and said, “How can you ask someone for jewelry when we have nothing to pay with, and our parents are too poor to help us?”
Hearing their conversation, the traveler said, “Do not worry about payment. I will bring each of you a piece of jewelry as a gift. My father and I are wealthy, and this is no hardship for us.” Then the older sister interrupted and said, “We do not need anything from you. My sisters were joking. We have everything we need, and in any case, we must return home now.”
After saying goodbye, the girls took their pitchers and began to leave. The traveler thanked them and called after them, “My promise still stands. Tomorrow, at this same time, I will be returning along this road, and I hope to see you here so I can give you your gifts.”
The sisters discussed it as they walked home. The younger sister said, “He is a kind man, and I believe he will do what he promised.” The middle sister replied, “I doubt it. If only we had given him something, then he would have kept his promise. We merely helped him draw water.”
The older sister said, “Believe me, that stranger was only joking so he could laugh at you. I do not believe what he said, so simply forget about it.”
The next day, the sisters went to the well again to fill their pitchers. When they had filled the pitchers with water, it was time to return. Then the younger sister said, “We cannot leave. Let us wait, because he will bring us the gifts.”
The middle sister said, “I doubt it, but we can wait and see whether he deceived us or not.” The oldest sister replied, “I don’t have time to waste. I’m going home; come with me.” The sisters answered, “You go ahead, and we’ll wait a little longer.”
Time passed, but the traveler did not appear. The middle sister said to the youngest, “You see, he hasn’t come, and I never doubted that this would happen. Now let’s go home.” The youngest replied, “You go ahead, and I’ll wait a little longer.” After the middle sister left, a traveler appeared on the horizon, followed by a caravan of camels. The youngest sister quickly approached the well and pretended to continue drawing water.
When he approached, he was very happy to see the sister at the well. After greeting her, the traveler asked, “Where are your sisters?” After thinking for a moment, she replied, “They wanted to see you, but they couldn’t.” Then the traveler took jewelry from his bag and held it out to the girl, saying, “Since your sisters aren’t here, I want to give all of this to you.”
A pearl headpiece, a pearl necklace, and pearl bracelets for her wrists. Embarrassed, the girl asked, “Why are you doing this for me?” He replied, “Because you asked me, and it is no trouble for me to do this.”
The girl thanked the traveler and told him that she would like to take the jewelry to her sisters so that they could rejoice as well. He replied, “I am giving these pieces of jewelry to you, and I will give them other gifts.” He took two pearl rings from his bag and said, “These are gifts for your sisters.” As they parted, the traveler said to her, “Until we meet again.”
Author: Dmitriy Leo
