The Real Pot of Gold

As a child back home I had often heard of the wee folk that lived in th

e glade

Leprechauns they were called and though rarely seen, were the stuff of

which

folklore was made.

It had been my quest for many a year to find one, for it had been told,



That if you did, he could never deny, passing over his prized pot of go

ld.

Leaving my home I set off alone, to see what my fortunes would bring,

And along the way and over the years I experienced some glorious things

.

I saw sunsets and snow, and even enjoyed the sounds that came with the

showers, I saw trees change color twice a year, I even noticed the purp

le in flowers.

Most of all I found love and love in return and pondered how lucky I go

t,

That despite all of my imperfections, someone loved me, no matter what.



I looked at it all, the love, the life, the flowers and all that I'd ga

ined,

But try as I might, the pot of gold, was the one thought that always re

mained.

So with travels over, I did return to that glorious land of green,

This time in earnest to hunt for those folk so very rarely seen.

The days dragged on without any luck, but I scoured the sky for a sign,



For I knew that at least a rainbow, would lead to the gold so rightfull

y mine.

At last, the rain came and a rainbow was left, with colors that called

out

to me, here indeed was the clue, that I anxiously sought, if over my qu

est was to be.

Around the campfires for many a year, the same story had always been to

ld,

That, if you can find the end of the rainbow, you will find your own po

t of gold.

To that point I had traveled the length of the land and always to no av

ail,

But with failing effort and weary heart I decided to trek one more trai

l.

On rounding the bend as I came to the end, I could hear a joyful sound,



Someone was happily singing, was the leprechaun finally found?

Could this be it, I thought to myself, could my search be finally over?



Then, there he was the man himself, sitting, surrounded by shamrocks an

d

clover. We looked at each other for quite a while, but mostly he was lo

oking at me,

He knew what I wanted, for I'd finally found, the one I had searched lo

ng to see.

Then way behind and off to his left, I saw the pot, which I knew would

hold,

All that I had searched for, all of my life, a treasure, my own pot of

gold.

"Hand it over" I said to this tiny man, "for you know that's what you m

ust do"

"Just take a wee minute", he said in reply, "at least let me say this t

o you",

"You've looked for me always and now that you're here, what did you exp

ect

ect

to find, treasure, gold, riches, jewels just what did you think in your

mind?

Look at what you already have, you have health, you have love, and much

more",

You see colors, hear sounds, you walk and you talk, so if you're ready

lets

tally the score".

"Tell me what did you pay for all that you have and what would it cost

to

replace? Could all the money I have in my pot, take one less lined year

from your face?

Sure, people fight to possess my gold and suffer all manner of strife,

But, I'll tell you now all the gold in the world, wont add one more day

to your life".

"It wont buy you health, a true measure of wealth and here's something

else to know, neither will it buy love, whatever you think and it certa

inly wont make love grow.

And that's the real treasure of life to be sure and you can quote me on

that this day,

For love is the only investment you'll know, that will grow when you gi

ve it away".

"You may think that gold will buy a helping hand, in all that you seek

to achieve,

But I'll tell you now that the hand you seek, is at the end of your ver

y own sleeve.

So look in my pot and see what I've got", I did and there was nothing t

here.

"What's this" I demanded feeling confused, did it vanish into thin air?



"Surely you know," he replied with a grin " I've said, what you needed

to hear",

Then, tipping over the empty pot, added, "The gold it never was here.

Most people seek it and yet overlook, that which they most need to know

,

That they come to this world with all that they need, to help them to p

rosper and grow."

"You see sir" he said "you didn't need riches to help you in all that y

ou do,

Don't look to me for the pot of gold, for the gold you seek is in you".



With that he was gone and I was alone, to sort out my thoughts on life'

s wealth,

He was right, I had all that I needed, my love, the flowers, my health.



So I give you this story whatever it's worth, believing that it should

be told,

Don't search outside for the treasures of life, for you are your own po

t of gold.

-Gerry Hennessey
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