AMONG THE CHILDLIKE PEOPLE
Siddhartha went to see Kamaswami the businessman, he was shown into a house of opulence, servants led him past costly carpets into a chamber where he waited for the master of the house.
Kamaswami entered, a fast-moving, nimble man with very grey hair, with very clever and cautious eyes and an acquisitive-looking mouth. Master and guest offered friendly greetings to each other.
“I am told,” the businessman began, “that you are a brahmin, a man of learning, but you seek a position in the service of a businessman. Have you fallen into need then, brahman, is that why you seek a position of service?”
“No,” said Siddhartha, “I have not fallen into need and I never have had difficulties. You should be aware that I come from the samanas, among whom I lived for a long time.”
“How can you not be in need if you have come from the samanas? Do samanas not live completely without possessions?”
“I am without possessions,” said Siddhartha, “if that is what you mean. Certainly, I am without possessions. But I am without possessions by my own free will, so I am not in need.”
“What do you think you will live on if you have no possessions?”
“I have never thought about that, sir. I have been without possessions for more than three years, and have never given a thought to what I should live on.”
“You have lived on the possessions of others then, have you?”