Exploring the value of generosity through the story of The Rich Man and the Needle.
The video
OMAR: Hello, I'm Omar and this is the amazing story of The Rich Man and the Needle.
A long time ago, there was a man called Duni Chand. Duni Chand was very rich.
He had more money than he knew what to do with.
STORY NARRATOR: These people were hungry and pleaded for some of Duni's money.
OMAR: But he wasn't generous with it at all.
Duni Chand didn't share his money with people, he just kept it all for himself. But one day, he had a very special visitor – a man called Guru Nanak.
STORY NARRATOR: Guru Nanak was a very good teacher, giving his wise words, care, and time to those who needed them.
DUNI: Oh, Namaste. You're very welcome here, Guru Nanak. Please—oh, sorry. Sit. NERVOUS LAUGH I am honoured by your visit here today.
OMAR: Guru Nanak noticed all the flags that were outside the house and he wondered why they were there. Duni proudly replied…
DUNI: There are a lot of flags as I have a lot of money. LAUGHS
OMAR: Guru Nanak didn't say anything. He was thinking of a clever way to explain to Duni that it's more important to be generous than to be rich.
Guru Nanak pulled out a small wooden needle and gave it to Duni Chand. Guru Nanak asked Duni Chand if he believed he would go to heaven after he died. Duni replied, "Well, yes, of course, Guru Nanak, I hope."
Guru Nanak asked him to take the needle, to look after it for all his life, and then to give it back to him when they'd both died and gone to heaven.
Duni agreed.
Duni felt very puzzled. Why was this needle so important to Guru Nanak? How could you take a needle with you after you die? Duni told his wife about it. She was very wise and told him that there's only one answer: it was impossible. He wouldn't be able to take the needle with him to heaven after he died. He must give it back to Guru Nanak.
DUNI: Please, take this needle back. I now realise that I can't take the needle with me and I also know that I can't take any money with me either. All I can take with me are my good deeds.
OMAR: From that day, Duni Chand decided to be really generous and give lots to people who really needed it. Who wants some fruit?
That is an old Sikh story from the life of Guru Nanak. Thank you so much for helping tell today's story. See you soon, bye!
The story is called The Rich Man and The Needle and is a story from the Sikh faith. The story tells how Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion, meets Duni Chand, a very wealthy man, and how Guru Nanak teaches him to be generous.
Guru Nanak gives Duni Chand a needle to keep with him all his life and to return to Guru Nanak after they have both died. Duni Chand seeks the counsel of his wife and realises that this is not possible - he cannot take the needle with him when he dies. He realises he cannot take his money with him when he dies either and this leads to him becoming more generous.
This can help us to reflect on the value of generosity and what can happen if we share what we have.
Duration: 3' 50"
Final words: 'See you again soon! Bye!'
Video questions
- Who is Guru Nanak? (The founder of the Sikh religion)
- What does Guru Nanak give Duni Chand? (A needle)
- What does Guru Nanak ask Duni Chand to do? (He asks him to give him the needle back when he and his wife die)
- What does Duni Chand realise? (He cannot take anything with him when he dies)
- What does Duni Chand decide to do? (He decides to be more generous)
Teacher Notes
Questions to help children apply the learning from the story:
- What things might you give or receive for free? (Make a list of them).
- How might you feel if you received one of these things?
- How might you feel if you gave one of these things to someone else?
Act out the story of ‘The Rich Man and The Needle’. Choose children to be Duni Chand and also the children outside and the voice of Guru Nanak. Stop the children at key points and ask them how the different characters feel, what Duni Chand could have done with his money, and what effect that might have had on those around him.
After the drama activity, invite the children to make some coins, like the ones Duni Chand had in the story with gifts written on them. Explain that they are making coins to represent non-material gifts that they, or Duni Chand, could give to people by sharing what they have - eg when we give someone something, we might bring them joy, hope, excitement, relief, happiness, security, etc.
Act out the story again and this time at the end those acting can give the other children one of their coins. How does the child feel to receive the coin and the gift written on it?
Curriculum Notes
This short film will be relevant for teaching KS1 Religious Education in England and Northern Ireland, the Curriculum for Wales (particularly RVE as part of Humanities), and Early and 1st Level Religious and Moral Education in Scotland.
Further resources
Related BBC Teach content
The story of Duni Chand - the story of Duni Chand is animated for KS1, alongside other Sikh stories
Assembly: Sikhism - Values for living - the story of Duni Chand features in this assembly, most suitable for KS1, about Sikh values
