A king, kind by nature, once gave a fruit to one of his slaves. The latter began to eat it with pleasure, saying that he had never tasted a more delicious fruit. These words made the king wish to eat some too, and he asked the slave to give him half of the fruit he found so excellent. The slave therefore handed that half to the king, and when the monarch had tasted it, he found the fruit bitter. He frowned and expressed his astonishment that his slave had found such bitterness sweet. But the slave, who had entered upon the path of spiritualism, replied: “Sire, I have received so many gifts from Thy hand that I could not refuse the bitter fruit Thou givest me. If at every moment a treasure comes to me from Thy hand, why should I grieve over a single bitterness? Since I am laden with Thy blessings, why should one bitterness drive me away from Thee?”
Likewise, O servant of God! if thou sufferest hardship in the spiritual path, be assured that it is a treasure for thee. The matter seems upside down; but then, shouldst thou not act like this slave? When have those experienced in the spiritual path, who walk with a firm foot upon this path, ever tasted a morsel of heavenly things without its being tinged with the blood of the heart? So long as one has not sat down to eat both bread and salt, one cannot break bread alone without great exertion.