Long ago, there lived a man who was crushed under heavy debts.Every door had closed to him. Creditors pressed him, and shame filled his heart.At last, unable to endure it anymore, he left his home, his family, and everything he knew, and began wandering from city to city without direction, driven only by despair.
Days passed. Hunger weakened him. His feet ached. His clothes were worn.
At last, he reached a mighty city, strong with high walls and grand gates.He entered it hopeless and exhausted, not knowing where to go.
As he walked through one of the main streets, he noticed a group of noblemen moving together.Out of instinct, he followed them.
They reached a house that looked more like a royal palace than a private home.The doors were wide, and servants stood everywhere.The poor man, though terrified, walked in with the crowd.
Inside, at the far end of a great hall, sat a man of powerful and dignified appearance, surrounded by attendants, pages, and eunuchs.He welcomed the guests with respect and honor.
But the poor wanderer, seeing such wealth and splendor, felt overwhelmed and afraid.He quietly stepped aside and sat far away in a corner, hoping no one would notice him.
While he sat there, something very strange happened.
A man entered leading four large hunting dogs.They wore collars of gold with chains of silver.On their backs were coverings made of silk and brocade.
The man tied each dog in a special place prepared for them.
Then he returned carrying four large dishes made of pure gold, filled with rich, delicious meat.He placed one dish before each dog and left the room.
The poor man stared.
He had not eaten for days.The smell of the food tortured him.
His heart burned with hunger, and he longed to crawl over and eat from one of the dishes.But fear held him back — fear of the dogs, fear of the people, fear of being beaten or killed.
Then something miraculous happened.
One of the dogs looked at him.
God put understanding into the dog's heart.
The dog stepped back from its golden dish and gestured toward the starving man.
Slowly, trembling, the man approached.The dog did not growl or resist.The man ate until he was full.
When he tried to move away, the dog again gestured — this time pushing the golden dish toward him with its paw.
The meaning was clear:
"Take it."
With shaking hands, the man took the golden dish and left the palace.No one stopped him.No one followed him.
He traveled to another city and sold the golden dish.With the money, he bought goods and began trading.
God blessed his efforts.
He made profit.Then more profit.He paid off his debts.He returned home.
In time, he became wealthy and respected.
Years passed.
One day he said to himself:
"I must return to that city and repay the owner of the dish. That dog saved my life."
So he gathered the value of the dish and added a generous gift.Then he traveled back.
But when he reached the city…
The palace was gone.The streets were empty.The houses were in ruins.
Only broken walls remained.
His heart trembled.
He saw a miserable man sitting among the ruins and asked:
"What happened to the lord of this place? Where is the man who lived here in glory?"
The ragged man answered:
"I am that man."
He explained how fortune had turned against him.Wealth, servants, luxury — all gone.
The traveler told him the story of the dog and the golden dish and offered him the money.
But the ruined man refused.
"How can I take payment for what a dog freely gave?" he said."Even in my misery, I would never accept it."
They parted in peace.