How we misjudge people and situations...
"The Stingy Artist"
Gessen was an artist monk.
Before he would start a drawing or painting he always insisted upon being paid in advance, and his fees were very high.
He was known as the "Stingy Artist."
A rich female patron once tried to commission a painting.
"How much can you pay?" inquired Gessen.
"Whatever you charge," replied the girl, "but I want you to do the work in front of me."
So on a certain day, Gessen was called by the lady.
She was having a feast for her visiting lover.
Gessen did the painting with a fine brush.
When it was completed he asked the highest sum of money, for the work and for his time.
He received his pay.
The lady turned to her lover, saying:
"All this artist wants is money.
His paintings are fine, but his mind is dirty; money has caused it to become muddy.
Drawn by such a filthy mind, his work is not fit to exhibit.
It is just about good enough for one of my petticoats."
Removing her skirt, she then asked Gessen to do another picture on the back of her petticoat.
"How much will you pay?" asked Gessen.
"Oh, any amount," answered the girl.
Gessen named a fancy price, painted the painting and went away.
It was found later, that Gessen had these reasons for desiring money:
1- A ravaging famine often happened in his province.
The rich would not help the poor, so Gessen had a secret warehouse, unknown to anyone, which he kept filled with grain, prepared for those emergencies.
2- The road from his village to the National Shrine, was in a very poor condition, and many travelers suffered while traversing it.
He desired to improve the road's condition.
3- His beloved teacher, intended to build a temple, but had passed away without realizing his dream.
Gessen wished to complete this temple to honor his teacher and as a show of love for him.
After Gessen had accomplished his three wishes, he threw away his brushes and artist's materials and never painted again.
He retired to the mountains, and lived a quiet and meditative life, for the rest of his days
Gessen was an artist monk.
Before he would start a drawing or painting he always insisted upon being paid in advance, and his fees were very high.
He was known as the "Stingy Artist."
A rich female patron once tried to commission a painting.
"How much can you pay?" inquired Gessen.
"Whatever you charge," replied the girl, "but I want you to do the work in front of me."
So on a certain day, Gessen was called by the lady.
She was having a feast for her visiting lover.
Gessen did the painting with a fine brush.
When it was completed he asked the highest sum of money, for the work and for his time.
He received his pay.
The lady turned to her lover, saying:
"All this artist wants is money.
His paintings are fine, but his mind is dirty; money has caused it to become muddy.
Drawn by such a filthy mind, his work is not fit to exhibit.
It is just about good enough for one of my petticoats."
Removing her skirt, she then asked Gessen to do another picture on the back of her petticoat.
"How much will you pay?" asked Gessen.
"Oh, any amount," answered the girl.
Gessen named a fancy price, painted the painting and went away.
It was found later, that Gessen had these reasons for desiring money:
1- A ravaging famine often happened in his province.
The rich would not help the poor, so Gessen had a secret warehouse, unknown to anyone, which he kept filled with grain, prepared for those emergencies.
2- The road from his village to the National Shrine, was in a very poor condition, and many travelers suffered while traversing it.
He desired to improve the road's condition.
3- His beloved teacher, intended to build a temple, but had passed away without realizing his dream.
Gessen wished to complete this temple to honor his teacher and as a show of love for him.
After Gessen had accomplished his three wishes, he threw away his brushes and artist's materials and never painted again.
He retired to the mountains, and lived a quiet and meditative life, for the rest of his days
