Once Prince Ajatashatru sent
Oil drums for lamps at night.
An old woman, who saw this
Wished to give oil for lamps.

But she was too poor to buy
Still she didn’t give up her try.
She cut off her long hair,
And for oil, she sold her hair.”

She gave that oil, with a lamp,
To Buddha for lighting up,
He received the oil cup
And used it for her lamp.

Her lamp lasted thro’ the night
And was spreading steady light.
The lamps, with the oil sent
By the prince, blew off by midnight.

Buddha said, “The woman
Was sincere in her intention.
While the royal prince
Exhibited his arrogance.”

“This is the difference
Found in their performance.
One who’s always humble
Shines in their life well.”

“In no way her small offer
Can be taken as inferior,
While the prince’s bulk offer
Cannot be taken as superior.”

“The sincerity, not the size,
The humility, not the price,
These values only count
To accept any asset.”

Buddha was a conqueror
Of the spiritual world,
And was a reformer
Of the material world.

Rajaram Ramachandran

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/buddha-33-oil-lamp-of-the-poor/