Parables are metaphorical stories told by Jesus.  They are meant to convey meaning by comparing spiritual concepts with everyday life.  They were also intended to be riddles.  The effort of trying to understand was part of the value in learning their meaning.  If you were not willing to even try, then the meaning of the story would always be hidden from you.  This is a parable told by Jesus.

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field.  In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.  Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.  When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!

-Mathew 13:44,45

God is the man who discovered the treasure in the field.  You are the treasure.  God is the merchant.  You are the pearl.

~Sisyphus