Barlaam and Josaphat: A Christian Tale of the Buddha by Gui de Cambrai, Peggy McCracken

friend responded. ‘It is true that I used to love you, but I do not love you any longer. I am weary of your friendship. I have made many other friends and their company is more honest than yours. I am happy with them now and must go to join them. Because I used to love you, I will give you some old clothing, but I will not give you anything else or help you in any other way. I can be of little service to you.’
    â€œThe steward was saddened by this response. He went to his other friend and humbly asked for his help. He asked his friend to take pity on him in return for all he had done for him. ‘I must defend myself to the king, because of the crimes I committed for your sake,’ the steward explained. ‘I have put myself at risk for you many times! Now help me, I beg you, so I may remain in the king’s good graces.’
    â€œHis friend responded, ‘I cannot listen now. I am busy with other business. Go away and return later, for I have other things to attend to here.’
    â€œWhen the steward heard his friend’s excuse, he thought he had lost everything. He left, sad and filled with sorrow, and did not know where to turn since his two friends had failed him. He could not expect his third friend to help him when the first two would not. The steward was afraid. He sought counsel everywhere, and when he found none, he despaired. Finally he went to the third friend, to see whether he could hope for any help from him. He went with his head bowed in sorrow and his face turned away. Sad and anxious, the steward approached his friend. He asked him humbly for forgiveness and bowed before him without pride. His friend welcomed him and received him graciously. He put his arms around his neck and promised that he would use whatever influence he had to help him. ‘Friend,’ he said, ‘you have shown me little love. However, I will do what I can to reconcile you with the king, if he will receive me. I will go before you, and the king will have to arrest me before he can seize you. If the king does not arrest me, I will not allow any harm to come to you. Do not lose hope, for you can trust me. I will go before the court for you. Have confidence in me. I will protect you. I will act as a fortress to keep out your enemies and defend you against them.’
    â€œThe steward marveled that his friend had received him so well and promised to do as much for him. He remembered his own actions and regretted that he had done so little for this friend. ‘I did so much for the others,’ he thought, ‘and they did not care about me at all. I received no help from them. They would not give me anything, and they left me to suffer. I am surprised that this man for whom I did nothing is willing to sacrifice himself and everything he possesses for my sake. He gave me more than I asked for, and he has proven himself a true friend.’”
    The king’s son marveled at the wise man’s story and asked Barlaam to tell him its meaning.
    Barlaam said, “I will explain. Do you know who the first friend is? He represents wealth. Man spends his entire life trying to accumulate wealth, even though it is fatal to him. He runs many risks in order to gain wealth and power, but no matter how hard he works or how rich and powerful he becomes, when his soul leaves his body, his prestige and influence die with him. His heirs will quickly claim his possessions and all he has earned will be of little worth to him. His heirs will not care about his reputation—they will barely remember him. Of all the things he has acquired, he will keep only a shroud, and when he rots in his sepulchre, neither his wealth nor his power will matter.
    â€œI will tell you about the other friend. A man may be proud when he is rich and powerful in this world and has a wife and children and many friends. But when death takes him, those who shared his company will go with him to his gravesite, and their only act of