This story of listening and wisdom lingers in my heart like an old whisper. The three statues remind me that not all who hear truly listen, and not all who speak carry depth. The real treasure lies with the one who listens silently, absorbs, and transforms within. Just as marble gains worth not from its shine but from the meaning it carries, so too does a person gain value through patience, reflection, and inner growth. This tale shows me that listening is not a passive act — it is the beginning of wisdom.
Once upon a time, in a kingdom celebrated for its art and intellect, there lived a master sculptor whose hands carried the gift of the divine. From a single block of marble, he carved three statues so perfectly alike that no eye, however trained, could find a difference.
He placed them before the king and said,
“Your Majesty, these three statues look the same, yet their value is not the same. One is priceless, one is ordinary, and the third is worth the least.”
The king, curious and puzzled, turned to his court of scholars. Learned men examined the statues, measured them, tapped their surfaces, and studied every curve. Still, the mystery stayed unsolved.
Just then, a humble saint entered the court. Carrying nothing but a thin silver wire, he requested permission to try.
He gently inserted the wire into the ear of the first statue. To everyone’s surprise, it came out from the other ear. The saint smiled and explained,
“This statue represents the kind of person who hears but never listens. Words go in one ear and out the other. They may appear attentive, but their heart remains untouched.”
He then tried the second statue. This time, the wire went in through the ear and came out through the mouth. The saint said,
“This is the one who listens only to repeat. They may speak with ease, but their words are empty echoes. They pass on what they hear without reflection or true understanding.”
Finally, he placed the wire into the third statue. The wire entered the ear and stayed there, stuck within. It emerged from nowhere. The saint bowed and said,
“Here lies true worth. This statue represents those who listen deeply, reflect silently, and let wisdom settle within. They neither gossip nor ignore. They learn, they transform, and they grow.”
The court fell silent. The king rose from his throne and bowed to the saint. He understood the lesson: value is not in appearances but in depth, not in hearing or speaking, but in listening with the heart.
And so, the most precious statue was not costly for its marble. It was priceless for what it symbolized — the rare ability to absorb, reflect, and transform through listening.
In life, people may look alike and speak the same words, yet their true value is revealed in how they listen. Some ignore, some echo, but a rare few absorb wisdom and transform it into growth.
If this story touched you, you may also like The Wisdom in a Jug and discover more inspiring thoughts on our quotes page Uplifting Vibes.
A great story indeed!
Three types of listeners have been defined well and meticulously. The world is full of the first two types of listeners only. The third type of listeners is a rarity and this type refers to an enlightened person.
The story has always been a powerful weapon to define, explain, illustrate, and examine the ultimate truth of life. This story is a great testimony of this fact.
Thanks a billion for bringing this story to the notice of readers.
Amrendra Sharma, Dr
I’m thankful you took the time to read and connect with the story. Grateful for your encouragement—it means a lot.