There was a very pious and rich man who spent a lot of time in praying
and doing good deeds. He would donate money to charitable organizations and to
orphanages. He led a simple and organized life that focused majorly on God. One
day he was traveling to another town by car. It was late in the night and the
driver was driving very fast. The highway was quite deserted and as the car
sped forward on its route. The owner dozed off.
Perhaps the driver was drowsy or destiny was to play its role, the car
had a head-on collision with a speeding truck. The driver and the master both
died on the spot.
Both of them were brought before God. God smiled kindly at the driver
but did not even glance towards the master. God said to his attendant, "Take
them both to heaven."
The master was extremely upset and resisted the guiding hand of the
attendant saying, "God, please listen to me. I have never done anything bad in
my life. I spent hours and hours in meditation. Why did you not even look my
way? My driver spent all his time in work. He never took out time to go to the
temple or to pray. He didn't even spare a penny for a beggar. And yet, you
order both of us to Heaven together!"
God replied, "My child, I am not oblivious of all the good deeds you
have performed while you were alive. That is why I am sending you to Heaven."
The man said, "But Lord, my driver. What did he do to accord such a VIP
treatment and such a warm welcome?"
Then God smiled and said, "You my son, always beheld me in awe. You
prayed to me as if I were just a guardian and a trouble shooter. You never
loved me, you never felt me in your heart. Your driver felt that I was always
with him, through happy times as well as sad. He shared his best and worst
moments with me. He loved me, so I have to love him in return! He treated me
like a friend so I have to treat him like one too!"
