I love stories. I believe everyone does. Stories have a unique power to shape our beliefs, challenge our perceptions, and touch our hearts in profound ways. Join me as we delve into the enchanting world of parables, fables, and folktales, where timeless lessons are woven into words. In the upcoming series of four posts, I'll be sharing with you ten remarkable parables that are close to my heart. From Rajasthan to Japan to Italy to things which my dad just brewed on the spot, these stories have the power to transcend time and culture, and I can't wait to embark on this journey with you.
Let’s get started.
The Parable of Two Brothers
Once upon a time, in a village, there were two brothers. The younger brother was 8 years old, and the elder brother was 11. They loved playing all the time, and their mother would often scold them for not studying.
One day, they heard that a new carnival had arrived in a nearby town. Excited to experience the thrilling rides, they asked their mother to take them there. But their mother refused and told them to focus on their studies instead.
The town wasn't far away, just a few miles through the woods. So, the brothers came up with a plan. They decided to sneak out in the evening without telling their parents and return before anyone noticed. They hoped their parents wouldn't become suspicious.
As they made their way towards the town, something unexpected happened. The elder brother accidentally fell into a deep hole on the road covered with grass. He couldn't climb out on his own. Luckily, they found a rope nearby, but now the younger brother had to figure out how to pull his elder brother out.
The sun was setting, and the brothers knew they had to hurry back home to avoid getting scolded. The younger brother tried his best to pull his elder brother, but it wasn't easy due to gravity working against them.
Suddenly, they heard a wolf howling in the distance, sending chills down the younger brother's spine. Filled with fear, he summoned all his strength and managed to pull his elder brother out. They rushed back home, where their mother saw the elder brother injured from the fall and the younger brother with cuts on his hands from the effort. She scolded them and asked where they had been, assuming they had been roughhousing and gotten hurt. The brothers then shared the whole story with her.
Instead of believing them, their mother laughed and scolded them again. She said, "If you had to lie, at least come up with a believable one. I could have believed you if you said the elder brother pulled the younger one up, but the younger brother pulling the elder one is just nonsense."
Later, when their father returned home, the brothers told him the story, but he reacted similarly. They decided to share their tale with the rest of the family, including their aunts and uncles. However, nobody believed them except their grandfather.
Their grandfather gathered everyone and asked if the brothers had told them the same story. Surprisingly, everyone confirmed that the story was the same. The grandfather then made a point, saying, "Look, they have told the same story to everyone, even though nobody believes them. Either they are both foolish or they are telling the truth."
Everyone agreed with his observation. The grandfather then looked at them and said, "It's a fact that the younger brother couldn't have pulled out the elder brother. You all know that it was impossible. However, they didn't know that. They only knew they had to come home to avoid getting scolded or chased by wolves. That's why they were able to accomplish it. Your abilities are limited by what your mind believes to be possible or impossible."
This story was first told to me by my Tauji(Paternal Uncle), and I had assumed it to be of his creation. However, upon asking him he has informed me that this is a folk tale quite prevalent in parts of Rajasthan.
The Stonecutter’s Parable
Once in a small village, there lived a diligent stone cutter. Day in and day out, he toiled away, cutting hard stones into the shapes his customers desired. His hands grew calloused, and his clothes became stained with dust.
One day, while working on a particularly large stone under the scorching sun, exhaustion overcame him. Seeking respite, he sat down in the cool shade and dozed off.
Suddenly, he was roused by the sound of approaching footsteps. Rubbing his eyes, he beheld a grand procession unfolding before him. Soldiers, attendants, and at the center, carried aloft in a palanquin, was the mighty king.
In that moment, the stone cutter's mind stirred with longing. Oh, how wondrous it must be to be the great king, he thought. How joyous would life be if I were a king instead of a lowly stone cutter.
As he spoke these words, something peculiar occurred. The stone cutter found himself garbed in silk robes, adorned with gleaming jewels. His hands turned soft, and he reclined in a comfortable palanquin.
Peering through the curtains, he mused, What ease it is to be a king. These people exist to serve me.
As the procession moved forward, the sun's heat intensified. The newly minted king grew increasingly uncomfortable. He implored the procession to halt, that he might rest for a while.
In response, the chief soldier bowed before the king and pleaded, "Your Majesty, this very morning you swore to have me hanged if we did not reach the palace before sunset."
A pang of sympathy welled up within the stone cutter, now a king, and he commanded the procession to resume its journey.
As the afternoon wore on, the sun's rays grew fiercer, and the king's discomfort mounted. "True, I possess great power," he pondered, "but the sun holds even greater might. I would rather be the sun than a king."
Abruptly, he transformed into the sun, shining brilliantly upon the earth. Yet, this newfound power proved difficult to control.
His radiance blazed too intensely, scorching the fields and evaporating the ocean's waters, forming an immense cloud that veiled the land. However brightly he shone, he could not pierce through the cloudy barrier.
"The clouds possess greater strength and power than the sun," realized the stone cutter, now the sun. "I yearn to be a cloud."
In an instant, he became an immense, dark cloud. Eagerly, he exercised his newfound authority, showering rain upon the fields and causing floods. Trees and houses were swept away, but a boulder—once the object of his labor as a stone cutter—remained steadfast and unyielding.
No matter how much rain he poured upon the stone, it remained unmoved.
"How formidable that rock is, more powerful than I," conceded the stone cutter, now a cloud. "Only a stone cutter possesses the skill to reshape it. How I yearn to be a stone cutter."
No sooner had the words left his lips than he found himself seated upon a stone, his hands coarse and weathered.
Gathering his tools, he embraced the boulder before him and happily resumed his work as a stone cutter.
This is a Japanese folktale sometimes mistaken as Buddhist or European.
The Wrestler who lacked a left arm
Once upon a time, there was a man who faced a unique challenge in life. He was handicapped and had lost his left hand, yet he possessed an unwavering determination to become a wrestler. Despite his disability, he sought to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the wrestling ring. He delved into books and observed countless matches, teaching himself the basics of the sport. However, he yearned for guidance from a seasoned coach to take his abilities to the next level.
Undeterred by numerous rejections from various coaches, the man refused to give up on his dream. Exhausting all other options, he made a bold decision. He set out on a journey to seek help from a former world champion, who had since become a revered zen monk. Scaling the rugged terrain of a towering mountain, he finally reached the sacred monastery and humbly approached the champion with his request for guidance.
The champion studied the burning desire in the man's eyes and empathized with his relentless pursuit. However, he explained that his duties as a monk would not permit him to coach the man full time. Nevertheless, he offered a solution: "I can teach you a single, formidable hold that will enable you to overcome the toughest opponents. My only condition is that you begin competing immediately after I impart this knowledge to you."
Eager and resolute, the wrestler readily agreed to the champion's terms. The master proceeded to teach him an incredibly intricate maneuver, pushing the limits of the man's physical and mental capabilities. With unwavering dedication, he tirelessly practiced and eventually mastered the technique.
Armed with his newfound skill, the wrestler reluctantly entered the competitive arena, initially unsure of his abilities. Yet, he remained true to his promise and stepped into the ring. Match after match, he surprised himself and everyone around him by emerging victorious. His tenacity and skill propelled him to the pinnacle of the wrestling world, earning him the esteemed title of world champion.
Brimming with pride and gratitude, the man returned to the monastery, clutching his championship belt. Overwhelmed by curiosity, he posed a question to his master: "Master, I noticed that while my opponents possessed a wide array of moves and combinations, I was able to defeat them all. How was this possible?"
The master chuckled, appreciating the wrestler's genuine inquiry, and replied, "You see, my student, everyone perceived your lack of a left hand as a weakness. However, little did they know that I had imparted upon you a maneuver which could only be countered by twisting the left hand of your opponent."
This story was created by my father on the spot while talking to one of my school teachers outside a drama auditorium before the play started. He is just natural at making great stories two of which you will read the next week, if you are subscribed off course.
If you enjoyed these pearls of wisdon maybe your local barista who is also a champion dog trainer and your cousin who collects vintage tea cups will also find them fascinating, Go ahead share it with them.
If you have a burning desire to know the meaning of life, leave a comment and I will respond as soon as possible unless I get abducted by aliens who want to know the meaning of life too.
Thanks for reading,
Warm regards,
Arjun Agarwal.