A pebble, precious or priceless!

Climbed up d’ hill slowly,

a step at a time

bowed head tells,

something bothering him

Life's deserted, 
wishes in vain,

needs little guidance,
from a wise man

He lived on d' hill top, 
deep in woods,

in outskirts, far from crowd

Got in to counselor’s abode,

busy in reading, 
           fully immersed

A courteous bow,

next a voice of desperation

spelled out words,
coated with hesitation

“Excuse me, sir, I seek your help”

  his eyes got, 
lifted for a moment

Again attention back to book,

just a gentle nod, 
and his head shook

“I can achieve a lot,

but my dreams shattered

People see no value in me,

my ability ignored”

Still gazing at d’ book,
 a curt reply,

“first do a favor to me, 
can U comply”

“Of course I’ll try, 
express your desire,

but my candid distress, 
don’t ignore sir”

“I need fund, 
to pay a large debt,

take my gold ring, 
sell it in market

Settle d’ deal for,
  at least five gold coins

Ride my horse, go,

find out how much,
 I can fetch in exchange

Ring in d’ fist, 
moved from stall to stall

from cloth merchants,
 to d' fruit sellers

a farmer selling chicken, 
bargaining with customer

each waved him away, all ignored

Finally a pig seller,
 surveyed in soiled hands,

told with a covetous smirk, 
only five bronze coins

I tried utmost, 
your assignment done,

five gold coins for d’ ring,
 offered by none

“That’s fine,” 
responded the wise man,

try with a jeweler in d' town then

Jeweler heedfully saw d’ ring,

got up and, 
held it with a silk handkerchief

Checked with a magnifying glass,
 under a luminous lamp,

“superb, a masterpiece!,” 
softly he proclaimed

“If owner in a hurry, 
I’ll pay ten gold coins,
 buy it for my purpose then”

“But if time granted,
 to bring out all its beauty,

I’ll find a wealthy customer,
in d’ city

To pay at least,
 20 gold coins for it”

a report,d’jubilant young man,
wanted to submit

The wise man heard d' story,
 with full attention

“ignorant can’t tell,
d’ value of a thing,

to them entirely unknown”

“Listen only to appraisal,
of a skilled specialist

who can judge true value,
 of a master artist”

 A brief smile and then,
put d’ ring back on his finger

 waved d' young man good-bye,
for ever

Wisdom only can assess,

ruby, emerald, sapphire,
or a customary pebble
 precious or priceless