Value of Life

There was a farmer who grew superior quality and award-winning corn.

Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won honor and prizes. After the fair, the farmer used to come back to his village and share his seed corn with his neighbors.

One such year, a newspaper reporter came to interview the farmer after his win. During the interaction he learnt about the farmer’s habit of sharing his seed corn with his neighbors. He was perplexed. He felt very sorry about this innocent behavior of the poor farmer. So he decided to enrich the farmer with his knowledge of the so called definition of competitiveness in today’s Corporate World.

He began with asking the farmer; "How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors. Aren’t you aware that by giving them your seed corn you are jeopardizing your chances of winning next year?"

"Not at all Sir”, replied the farmer. Since I give them the seeds, we are at a level play on the quality of the Seed. So I am challenged by my fellow farmers on ideas and other efforts required in growing good quality corn. This challenge keeps me afresh and alive in my work and imparts a lot of learning. In fact this made me understand the interconnectedness that exists in the Universe.

He continued saying, “Further the wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior, sub-standard and poor quality corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."

The farmer had given a definite insight into the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improves. So it is in other dimensions! Those who choose to be at harmony must help their neighbors to be at peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well. Those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all. If we are to grow good quality corn, we must help our neighbors grow good quality corn too.

Moral: Value of a life is measured by the lives it has added value to….