A young man, while traveling through a desert, came across a spring of clear water. ___46___water was sweet. He filled his leather container so that he could bring some back to the elder ___47___had been his teacher. After a four-day journey, the young man ___48___(present) the water to the old man. His teacher took a deep drink, smiled ___49___(warm), and thanked his student very much for the sweet water. The young man went home ___50___ a happy heart.
After the student left, the teacher let ___51___ student taste the water. He spit it out, ___52___(say) it was awful. Apparently, it was no longer fresh because of the old leather container. He asked his teacher, “Sir, the water was awful. Why did you pretend to like ___53___?”
The teacher replied, “You tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for an act of kindness and love. Nothing could be ___54___ (sweet).”
We understand this lesson best ___55___ we receive gifts of love from children. Whether it is a cheap pipe on a diamond necklace, the proper response is appreciation. We love the idea within the gift rather than the thing.