Story of the Golden Squirrel

Yudishtara was the eldest son of Kunti. His other name was Dharmaputhra. He was famous for charity. 

Yudishtara was very religious and generous. He gave ample money in charity and it is said that no one ever returned empty handed seeing him. 

One day Yudisthara organised a grand feast for the poor and neestarving ten thousand people were fed in the event. After the feast was over, Lord Krishna and Dharmaputhra saw a beautiful little rolling into the water which was used by the people for washing their hands. They were surprised.

Lord Krishna sent towards the squirrel and asked, "What are you doing here little squirrel?Why are rolling in this discarded water?"

The little squirrel stood up and bowed respectfully before Krishna and Yudishtara. It replied, "O Great Krishna! My back is half black and half golden. I rolling in this water so that my entire back becomes golden".

Krishna was all the more surprised now. He asked the squirrel, "How can this water turn your back golden?" 

The squirrel narrated, "Krishna, I live in the vicinity of a tree near the hut of a poor Brahmin. The place is not far from here. The brahmin is very hard working, but he earns only to make the ends meet. Everyday, the little that he earns is divided into three parts - one himself, and other two for his wife and son. One day, before they began their meal a poor starving man visited them. He asked for food, saying that he was quite hungry. So the family divided the food into four parts and gave one portion to the man. However, the man was too hunger and asked for more. So the the Brahmin gave him his share of food. But the man's hunger did not lasted. So the Brahmin wife offered him her share of food. But the man asked for more food, so the Brahmin's son who was a young boy followed his parents and generously offered the man his share of food. After this, thd man washed his hands. Some parts of the water fell on my back and gave it the beautiful golden sheen. 

I have heard a lot about Dharmaputra, who lives by religious virtues. He is famous far and wide for his generosity. So I came here, thinking that his charity can help me turn my entire back golden. But it won't just happen!

Saying this the squirrel ran away. Lord Krishna turned to Dharmaputhra and said, "Brother, do you understand the message the little squirrel has left ?"

Yudishtara was perplexed. He said, "Krishna, enlighten me!"

Krishna turned to him and said, "Today was a grand day. You once again substantiated that you are virteous and generous. But you give because you have, while the brahmin gave even when he did not have - this is the difference in your respective charities. He humble, as you are giving only because you have. Therefore the water from your charity was unable to lend the golden luster to the squirrel's back".

Dharmaputra was humbled. He bowed beforeKrushna and asked for forgiveness.