Association

A rain drop from the sky: if it is caught by clean hands,
is pure enough for drinking.
If it falls in the gutter, its value drops so much that it canโ€™t be used
even for washing your feet.
If it falls on a hot surface, it will evaporate…
If it falls on a lotus leaf, it shines like a pearl and finally,
if it falls on an oyster, it becomes a pearl…
The drop is the same, but its existence and worth
depends on whom it is associated with.

Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi