Earn an Honest Living

One day Guru Nanak and his followers arrived at a village called Emnabad. The Guru stopped outside a hut and knocked on the door. A poor but honest man called Lallo answered the door and invited them in.

He hurriedly spread a mat on the floor and apologised for having no table and chairs. "That is no problem we feel comfortable sitting on the floor, thank you" replied the Guru. Lallo offered them simple refreshments as he was very poor, which his guests enjoyed.

In the same village lived a rich banker named Malik Bhago. He was a mean and a proud person. He was holding a feast to show others how rich he was. Knowing Nanak was in the village, he invited him too. At first Guru refused but when Malik asked again and the Guru accepted. On the Guru's arrival, Malik asked rudely "what was so good about that poor man's hut that you refused to come to my mansion". "I believe that we are all children of God therefore I love every one equally" replied the Guru. “Huh, empty words” replied Malik Bhago.

When everyone started to eat, the Guru took a peace of bread from the poor man’s house in one hand and another piece of bread from Malik Bhago’s table in his other hand.Then the Guru squeezed both his hands. Drops of milk came out of the poor man's bread and blood oozed out of the rich man's bread. “What is this magic?” cried Malik Bhago. “This is no magic, Malik Bhago. This is the truth,” Guru Nanak announced. “The poor man has earned his food by honest means, but you have used harsh methods to get your food. You have been very cruel to your servants and tenants. That is why milk came from the humble man’s bread and why, due to your wickedness and greed, blood dripped from your bread.”

Malik Bhago understood the message and begged for forgiveness.

"Be kind to your workers. The blessings of the needy help you to go to heaven.” Malik Bhago agreed and changed his ways and earned the love and respect of all the villagers.