Osho once shared a memorable story—his books often being transcripts of his talks—about how the giver should be grateful. He told of a rich man who brought a bag of money to a guru. The guru accepted the bag silently. The rich man, a bit offended, said, “I brought you a bag of money, and you didn’t even say thank you?” The guru calmly replied, “It’s you, the fool, who should thank me for even accepting your money.” The message was clear: the giver should be grateful.
On one level, I agree. The giver should indeed be grateful that their gift is accepted, because few things sting more than having what you offer rejected. It’s not just about hurt feelings. It’s something deeper. It’s painful and lonely when something you give is not wanted.
Sure, you can tell yourself, “Screw it. Don’t want it, don’t need it. I’m fine as I am. I never expected you to feel grateful.” But beneath that, it still hurts. When gifts are refused, it wounds.
Why? Because gifts—unless given with calculation—are extensions of the soul, pieces of ourselves we want to share with others. Gifts come from the heart, carrying a fragment of it. That’s why we give: to share our love.
And when this love is rejected—that’s what truly hurts. When your gift, your love, is not received, it cuts deep. So yes, I agree the giver should be grateful.
But the receiver should be even more grateful.
Because it is incredibly rare and precious when someone wants to give you love—in any form at all.
