The Parable Of Self-restraint

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

Parable "The Road of Life"

A traveler walked along the dusty road. He walked slowly, carefully looking at his feet. Noticing a boulder, small pebbles, or roots sticking out of the ground on his way, he stopped and cleared the road. A sage walked behind at some distance. He watched the traveler for a long time, and when he once again bent down to remove small stones and roots from the road, he came up and asked what he was doing? The traveler answered him that for many years he had been walking around the world and clearing the way. The sage asked him why he was doing this? He replied that when he was little he liked to run fast. Once, having stumbled on a stone on the road, he badly injured his leg. He was ill for a long time, and the doctors refused to treat him, and there was no chance of recovery. Parents - peasants could not feed all the children, and decided to abandon him, because he will never be able to work anyway. He was sent to an orphanage. In the end, he managed to recover, and since then he wanders, walks slowly so as not to get hurt, and clears the way again and again to ensure the safety of himself and others. The sage suggested that the traveler hide in a cave. The traveler wondered why this was necessary. The sage said: “Looking at your feet, you did not notice that a hurricane was coming. By protecting yourself from falling, you can lose your life. " The traveler thought about it and followed the sage into the cave. They safely waited out the hurricane, and when the wind died down, they began to get out of the cave. The entire road was blocked by fallen trees and stones flying from the mountains. The traveler looked thoughtful. He turned with gratitude to the sage and said: “Thank you, kind person, you saved my life. I have never looked around and this is my mistake. Protecting myself from a trifling injury, I could not save the most precious thing - my life."

The clouds cleared, the sun shone so brightly, the air became clear and transparent and smelled fresh. The traveler took a deep breath and saw a landscape worthy of a creator's brush. Involuntarily, an enthusiastic cry escaped from his chest, he beamed and said: “O kind man, look at this beautiful landscape, these mountains and forests, rivers and valleys are so beautiful that it is impossible to take your eyes off. Where did this beauty come from? " The sage replied that the world has always been so beautiful and diverse, it's just that someone who constantly looks in one direction is not able to see it. The traveler became thoughtful, his face became sad. He said: “Oh, Supreme, have I really missed so much joy in my life? I will not spend more than a single day without enjoying the beauty of the surrounding world. " The traveler began to clear the road, the sage helped him. Other travelers, passing and passing by, also joined the common cause, and the road was clear until sunset. The traveler thought again and asked the sage, where did all these people come from, after all, he had traveled alone for so many years? The sage replied that looking at his feet he had almost no opportunity to see those around him, meet their eyes, greet and do something together. The traveler again thought about how much he had missed in life. Tired, but cheerful people got out of their knapsacks, who could, cooked supper and all evening told stories around the fire. It was so warm and pleasant with them. That evening the traveler realized how diverse life is, how full of adventures and surprises it is.

In the morning everyone set off. Some went earlier, some later. Our traveler found himself in a small company with a sage and several pilgrims. They walked unhurriedly, enjoying the surrounding landscape, warm day and pleasant conversation. When on the way they encountered large stones or logs blocking the road, they all removed them together. Our traveler suddenly realized that they had been walking for a long time and did not notice all these small stones and roots on the road, and no one fell or injured, although they did not look carefully at their feet. And he continues to see the road, despite the fact that he manages to notice the rest of the world around him and talks with his companions. He felt terribly upset again that he had spent so many years and efforts on unnecessary work for anyone.

Half a day later, the travelers found themselves at a fork. Our traveler hesitated, he stopped, he looked puzzled. He said that he never thought that roads could run to the sides like this, and now he does not know which one to take. The sage replied that he never had the opportunity to notice this, as he was always focused on the road under his feet, trying to make it safe, and that was the whole meaning of his life. He did not notice that there are many roads and directions, and you can choose the direction that is more to your heart. And then he asked the question: "Will you choose the road with the most stones?" The traveler laughed and said that he had already understood that each person is able to take care of his own safety, and there will always be someone who will help him if the work is too hard for one. From now on, he will choose the road according to his heart, and along the way, clear it when there really is a need for it. And he will live life to the fullest, because he spent many years on his safety, and must make up for everything that he missed. He liked the road along the gorge and said he wanted to follow it. One of his companions was heading there, and both of them were happy to think about a joint journey, and new adventures and meetings that might await them along the way.

Saying goodbye, happy and inspired, the travelers each went their own way, but the joy of the joint path and the pleasure of communication remained with them forever.