Where Lakshmi Loves to Stay

Lakshmi, the gentle goddess of good fortune, was once asked where she most loves to dwell. People expected her to name palaces of gold and rooms full of jewels.

But she answered, “I love to stay where people are honest and hard-working, where the home is clean and kind, where guests are welcomed and elders are cared for, and where there is no quarrelling.”

“I leave,” she added softly, “wherever there is pride, laziness, or unkindness — no matter how much gold is piled up there.”