A Story of Hospitality and Honor, Inspired by Albanian Fable
In ancient times, in the heart of Dibra, where majestic mountains stood tall and rivers wound through fertile fields, there lived a family renowned for its hospitality. Their house, built from white stones and with a hearth that never went cold, was known far and wide as Dibra’s House with the Open Door.
The head of the household, a wise and honorable old man, had a sacred tradition passed down through generations: he never locked his door. Anyone caught by the night on the road could enter and call out: “O master of the house!” And the answer always came warmly: “O, bujrum!”
One cold winter night, when snow had covered every path and the wind howled fiercely over the mountain peaks, a traveler knocked on the door of this house. He was exhausted, his feet frozen, and his stomach rumbling with hunger. In a weak voice, he called out:
— O master of the house!
The old Dibran man rose from his seat by the hearth, opened the door, and welcomed the traveler with a smile:
— Come in, my friend! In this house, bread is not bought with money but given with heart!
The traveler sat by the fire, while the old man handed him a warm bowl of porridge with milk and a glass of buttermilk.
— I do not have much bread, but we will share what God has given us, — the old man said humbly.
The traveler lifted his head, his eyes shining with gratitude. He was not an ordinary man but a wandering dervish, traveling to understand the hearts of people. He saw the hospitality of the Dibran family and thought, “This house is blessed because it is filled with love and generosity.”
When morning came, the traveler stood up, thanked the old man, and before leaving, placed a small white stone on the doorstep. The old man looked at it curiously.
— What is this stone, my friend?
The traveler smiled and said:
— This stone is a blessing! As long as it stays on your doorstep, the door of this house will never close, and no traveler will ever be left outside at night!
And so it happened. Years passed, but Dibra’s House with the Open Door remained a sacred place for every traveler. And if a house in Dibra ever dared to close its door to a guest, people would say in shame: “They have forgotten the old man’s oath!”
Because in Dibra, hospitality was not just a custom, but the honor of a family. And as the elders said:
“Open the door, and honor will grow.”
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