Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Father and His Two Daughters

I happened upon a collection of Aesop's Fables today and here is one that I don't think I've heard or read before:
A man had two daughters, the one married to a gardener, and the other to a tile-maker. After a time he went to the daughter who had married the gardener, and inquired how she was and how all things went with her. She said, All things are prospering with me, and I have only one wish, that there may be a heavy fall of rain, in order that the plants may be well watered. Not long after, he went to the daughter who had married the tilemaker, and likewise inquired of her how she fared; she replied, I want for nothing, and have only one wish, that the dry weather may continue, and the sun shine hot and bright, so that the bricks might be dried. He said to her, If your sister wishes for rain, and you for dry weather, with which of the two am I to join my wishes?'
This is a wonderful story. It teaches us that something that is in one person's best interests may well be truly detrimental to another. It also teaches us that context is everything!

1 comment:

  1. It reminds me of the work I do. I may have my own agenda and think I have the 'right' view and then something (Spirit) calms me down so I can meet another person where they are at and learn that my view isn't anymore right than the view of the other person and that in essence, we are all trying to get to the same place--where life is a little easier and we can find a little peace, maybe even a little joy.

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