The story of The Rich Man and the Needle of Heaven is about a very rich man named Duni Chand. Duni was able to persuade Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, to attend a feast in honor of him. Once everyone had eaten, Duni assured Guru Nanak that, being the richest man in the city, he could and would do anything for the Guru. Duni was given a thin, silver needle by Guru Nanak. The Guru said to keep it safe until they meet in the afterlife, where Duni Chand will return the needle. Duni was honored. When he told his wife about this arrangement, she just laughed! She told her husband to go back to the Guru and clarify how the task would be done. Guru Nanak asked Duni in return, how will you manage to take your abundant valuables to heaven if you can’t take this small needle? Duni Chand understood that his materialistic possessions really had no value. He then helped and cared for the poor. These good actions were the only things Duni Chand could take to heaven. (Ganeri, 6-8).
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The Milk and the Jasmine Flower is a story about Guru Nanak, his friend Mardana, and the people of a city named Multan. The priests and holy men of Multan had come to love and desire money. When they found out that the Guru was approaching their city, they agreed to shun him. They thought that he would ruin all they had accomplished. The priests and holy men sent a messenger to him and Mardana with a bowl of milk filled to the rim. The messenger asked if they had anything to say to the priests and holy men. Guru Nanak plucked a jasmine flower and placed it on the milk. The Guru said that even though the bowl seemed to have met its maximum capacity, it could still hold the flower, like the world will always have room for more sacredness and righteousness. When the priests and holy men heard this message, they hurriedly said sorry and graciously took the Guru and his companion into their city. (Ganeri, 9-11).
The Emperor and the Langar is about the Guru Amar Das, the third Guru. He resided in a village called Goindwal, along the River Beas. Not only did he pray, meditate and teach others, but he made a langar, or more commonly known as a kitchen. This langar is where all kinds of people could come to eat and be treated as an equal by everyone else there. Guru Amar Das believed that God created everyone equal. When word was spread that the Emperor Akbar was coming to the langar, the Guru did not do anything elaborate. The Emperor loved his visit and tried to give land to the Guru so he could grow food for the langar, but the Guru refused. He said that it is the obligation of the people who come to the langar to give back. (Ganeri, 14-16).
The Story of Guru Ram Das is a man named Jetha. He followed the teaching of Guru Amar Das and was a very meek man. He eventually took Guru’s daughter as his wife. The Guru himself knew he was going to die soon, due to his old age, and didn’t know who to appoint as his successor. He had two sons-in-law – who shall it be? He had each build him a platform just the way he wanted. When they were finished, the Guru decided he didn’t like them. He had them build another platform each. Again and again this cycle was repeated until the older son-in-law gave up. Jetha, after the Guru passed away, became the next Guru for his hard-work and perseverance. (Ganeri, 17-18).
The Princes and the Guru’s Cloak is a story about Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru. He had prevented a tiger from killing Emperor Jahangir. Naturally, they became close friends after the incident. Chandu, a court man, didn’t like that arrangement. Suddenly, Emperor became deathly sick. He asked Chandu to bring astrologers so the Emperor can ask them what to do. Chandu bribed the astrologers into telling the Emperor to send Guru Hargobind away to Gwalior. There, the Guru can pray for the Emperor. Guru Hargobind liked it there, but was saddened to see 52 Hindu princes held as prisoners there, under fed and in filthy clothes. He provided for them. A couple years later, the Emperor became healthy and asked the Guru to come back. He did not want to leave the princes there, and asked to have them freed. The Emperor thought this a bit unrealistic, and said that the Guru can take whoever is able to hold onto his cloak. Knowing that taking all of the prisoners with his cloak was impossible, the Guru asked for a new cloak, with 52 tassels attached to it. Needless to say, 52 princes were liberated that day. (Ganeri, 19-21).
The Merchant and the 500 Gold Coins is about a merchant called Makhan Shah who was at sea with very expensive products, when a storm hit. He prayed to God and promised Him that if He saved his ship, he would give 500 gold coins to the Guru. Makhan Shah’s ship was saved! He went to a village named Bakala, where he found 22 people saying they were the new Guru. He decided that he would give each guru two gold coins, and the real one would know that Makhan promised 50. So he went to all of the 22, and each of them was a fake. An old man pointed out to a man named Tegh Bahadur who never spoke much, but was a hallowed man and never said he was the Guru. The merchant went to him and gave him two gold coins. Tegh Bahadur, who was meditating, opened his eyes and asked for the rest of the 500 gold coins! The ninth Guru had been found. (Ganeri, 22-25).
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