The boy Solomon saw the palace goldsmith distraught because the king demanded he engrave a ring with a message to help the king remain balanced during times of happiness and hardship. Solomon advised writing "This too shall pass" to reflect how all things are impermanent and one should accept life's uncertainties. The goldsmith was relieved to find a solution to please the king.

1. “The Ring”
Story by Unknown Author
One morning, the boy Solomon saw the goldsmith who worked
for King David's Palace walk out of the palace very desperate and
sad.
Salomon asked the goldsmith with curiosity, what made him feel
so sad and desperate. The goldsmith answered, “I have to provide
a solution to a problem to the King within seven days. If not I will
be taken out of my job. I am really confused because there is no
solution for what the King has asked.”
“What is the problem the King posed to you?” Solomon was
curious.
The goldsmith told Solomon, “I need to make a gold ring for the
king with an inscription on it. The inscription should help the
king not to be very happy and forget the divine truth at his happy
moments. At the same time the inscription on it should help him
not to lose
his heart when he is facing failures and desperations.”
Immediately Solomon told the goldsmith that he should
inscribe the following on the ring :
“This too shall pass”
Reflection
“Impermanence” and “Uncertainties” are facts of life.
Realizing this, one can cope better with the tribulations and
‘ups and downs’ of life. Training one’s mind to be more and
more with the NOW, one attains an inner spiritual peace.

2. STORY TO
REFLECT
UPON 24
Ten Million Dollars
Spiritual Story by Unknown Author
A reporter was attempting to get a human interest story out
of a very, very old man in a government-run home
for the aged.
"Grandpa," said the young reporter, "how would you feel if
you suddenly got a letter telling you that a distant relative
had left you ten million dollars?"
"Son," said the old man slowly, "I would still be ninety-five
years old, wouldn't I?"
Reflection
Nothing can change the facts of life: Once we are born, we
are subjected to growth, old age, sicknesses and eventually
death. Reflecting on this, wouldn't we be spurred to live a
worthy life of righteousness, virtues, service to others,
training the mind to be peaceful and happy, a spiritual mind
the rises above worldly suffering? On our transition, we
cannot bring along our material wealth and possessions,
our power and fame, our loved ones…even our bodies
have to be left behind. What really matters ultimately is how
developed and purified our minds have grown. This is what
goes on from life to life…