[Sophie]

In a small village nestled amidst the rolling hills there lived a humble Buddhist monk named Kavi. 

He was renowned not only for his deep wisdom but also for his kindness and compassion towards everyone regardless of their social status. 

People from far and wide would visit the village to seek his guidance and to bask in the light of his teachings. 

One day a curious young man named Arjun approached the monk.

Arjun was ambitious and craved respect and admiration from others. He asked Kavi: "Venerable Monk, how can I gain the respect of others? I long to be admired and revered by my peers."

Kavi smiled gently and motioned for Arjun to sit beside him.

"Respect, my dear friend, is not something that can be demanded or forced upon others. It is earned through genuine actions and sincere intentions." Kavi began. 

He then shared a story with Arjun. A tale that illustrated the essence of gaining respect through humility and kindness.

In a distant kingdom there lived a wise king named Rajendra. He was loved and respected by his subjects because he ruled with fairness and compassion. 

One day a young prince from a neighboring kingdom, Prince Ashwin, visited Rajendra's court. Ashwin was known for his arrogance and believed that respect could be commanded through power and wealth. Curious to understand the secret behind King Rajendra's respect, Prince Ashwin approached him boldly and asked: "How do you earn the respect of your people?" King Rajendra smiled warmly and replied: "Respect, dear Prince, is not a product of fear or authority. It is a result of understanding, empathy and kindness. Watch and learn." 

With that King Rajendra called a servant boy, Ravi, who was known for his humble nature and dedication. The king handed Ravi a golden tray with a glass of water and said: "Please carry this glass of water to the Prince." 

Ravi, trembling with nervousness due to the prince's imposing presence, carefully carried the tray and presented the water to Prince Ashwin. However, just as he was about to hand over the glass he stumbled and a few drops of water spilled onto the floor.

Prince Ashwin's face turned red with anger and he scolded Ravi harshly for his clumsiness. The entire court fell silent waiting to see how King Rajendra would react. 

Instead of reprimanding Ravi, King Rajendra calmly spoke: "Dear Prince, even the most careful hands can make mistakes. What defines us is not our ability to avoid mistakes but our ability to handle them with grace and understanding."

With those words King Rajendra picked up another glass of water and handed it to Ravi. Showing the prince that respect was not about demeaning others but uplifting them even in the face of mistakes. 

Kavi paused, allowing the wisdom of the story to sink in. "Respect, Arjun, is a reflection of your own character. Treat others with kindness, understanding and forgiveness. Be humble in your actions and respect will naturally flow towards you like a river finding its course."

Arjun looked deeply moved by the story and the monk's words. He thanked Kavi for the valuable lesson and left with a newfound understanding that true respect could only be earned through genuine compassion and humility and from that day on he dedicated himself to practicing these virtues not for the sake of gaining respect but because he understood the beauty of kindness and empathy in the journey of life.

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxQ-jb3ewFc"