This story typically involves a man seeking the value of life from God or a wise entity, who hands him a stone and instructs him to figure out its value without selling it. Here's how the story may continue:
The man, puzzled by the task, takes the stone and decides to seek answers from others. He approaches an orange seller, showing him the stone and asking about its value.
The orange seller examines the stone, turning it around in his hand, and after a moment of thought, offers the man some oranges in exchange for the stone. However, he doesn't provide a direct monetary value for the stone.
The man continues his quest, approaching various individuals—craftsmen, merchants, and even scholars—but none of them can assign a clear value to the stone without selling it.
Frustrated and perplexed, the man returns to God or the wise entity and explains his experiences, admitting his inability to determine the stone's value without selling it.
God or the wise entity then reveals the lesson: "The true value of life cannot be determined by mere observation or transactions. Just as you couldn't ascertain the worth of the stone without selling it, the true value of life is not in material possessions or external measures. It lies in experiences, relationships, kindness, love, and the impact one makes on others."
The story serves as a metaphor, illustrating that the true value of life is immeasurable and extends beyond material possessions. It emphasizes the significance of intangible aspects—such as relationships, experiences, and the impact we have on others—in defining the worth of our existence.
