Kubera's lesson

Let me tell you a story,

a lesson of valuing wealth,

from a version of Mahabharata, 

that spoke a lesson from Kubera. 

A drought, in the kingdom of Yudisthira,

and Bheema went to the god Kubera,

requesting for cart load of paddy,

to feed the needy, famished subjects. 

Bheema reached God's abode,

hopeful of bags of paddy loans,

yet, encountered with rustic person,

bending low, collecting grains from the ground. 

Thinking of him as God's servant,

Bheema went to ask for Kubera,

that servant smiled and answered,

grain gatherer was lord Kubera himself. 

Too shocked of the realization, 

God of wealth lived like a pauper,

to part with so much of paddy,

seemed impossible from a miser. 

Yet, he disclosed his purpose of visit,

requested loan of paddy for his country,

Lord Kubera accepted, happily agreed,

gave Bheema cartload of paddy as gift. 

Soon, they faced another problem,

passing rain made the road slushy, 

making it difficult for the cart to proceed,

disappointed, Bheema returned to Kubera. 

God Kubera again smiled,

asked Bheema to throw grains,

to make the roads hard and dry,

more paddy were given to compensate. 

Bheema felt the shame and guilt,

so, he folded hands and apologized, 

thinking of Kubera as a poor miser,

but was humbled with his generosity. 

Lord Kubera smiled and spoke,

gave Bheema lesson of wealth,

be very particular of every single pie,

but never hesitate to spend...

As much as is necessary. 

** Story inspiration from "Sarala Mahabharata."