Words Of Wisdom

Only after the semester comes to an end, I have excess time to spare for my personal hobbies. Just like now. Making use of this excess time, I wrote down a story, based on an old adage, of course with some modification. Hope, readers enjoy reading it and learn from it too.

Long ago, in a village, a man was walking past his friend, who was climbing up a cocoanut tree. When he asked his friend about the reason for him to climb up the cocoanut tree, his friend said, “My cat has high fever and hence I’m climbing up the cocoanut tree to pluck some special grass, which will cure my cat”. Though each word from his friend appeared to be a lie, the man just gave an acknowledging smile and moved away.

Few days later, again while he was going past the same area, he again saw the same friend climbing up the cocoanut tree. Again he asked for the reason and got the same answer from his friend. This time he got furious and said, “Do you think, I’m a fool to take such words. I know the only reason you were climbing up the cocoanut tree was to steal some tender cocoanuts. Please don’t do it. It will harm you. You are stealing as well as lying. Shame on you!” To this his friend started making an illogical argument and started an emotional drama. Controlling his anger, the man left the place, with a smile.

Months later, again the same situation occurred. On enquiry this time around, his friend replied, “This time, it’s my goat which is suffering from high fever. I am climbing up to pluck the special grass which will cure my goat” Without uttering a word, the man left the place.

The friend was surprised by this action and went to a sage and asked him for an explanation for the man’s behavior on all three instances. The sage replied, “First time when you lied, your friend realized you were lying but ignored it, thinking there might be some reason behind your lies. When you lied to him for the second time, he felt you were mistaking his kindness with stupidity and he made it clear that he understood your lies. This time, he expected a lie from you and just ignored your words, and concluded you as a worthless person. When life gives you a chance to improve, use it wisely. But if you repeat your mistakes, you will lose your value. There is no way that your friend is ever going to trust you. Make sure you don’t repeat this kind of behavior with others.”

The moral of this story is obvious. I hope each one of follows the sage’s words in our lives, if we are not following them, before reading this story!