- Asa Rodriguez -

Once there was a small boy named Shankar.  He belonged to a poor family.  And one day, he was crossing through the forest carrying some woods, when he saw an old man who was very hungry.  Shankar wanted to give him some food, but he did not have food even for his own; so, sad as he was, he continued on his path.  On his way then, later, he saw a deer who was very thirsty.  He wanted to give him some water, but he did not have water even for himself; so, sad as he was, he went on his way ahead…

Then he saw a man who wanted to make a camp but he did not have woods, so Shankar asked about his problem and then gave some woods to him.  In return, he gave him some food and water.  Now he went back to the old man and gave him some food and gave some water to the deer.  The old man and the deer were very happy.  Shankar then happily went on his way…

One day Shankar fell down the hill!  He was in pain and he couldn’t move; no one was there to help him.  But, the old man who he had helped before saw him, he quickly came and pulled him up the hill.  Shankar had many wounds on his legs.  The deer whom shankar had given water saw his wounds and quickly went to the forest and brought some herbs; it so happened then that after some time his wounds were covered.  All of them were very happy that they were able to help each other…

When we give a good example and help the ones in need, we are truly helping ourselves; not because we expect them to do the same for us, but because we are filling our conscience with truth, we are building a stronger and valuable persona in us, and because we are nourishing our own heart with pure and beautifying love–i.e., a love which brings glow and shine into our lives, and a love which brings bliss into all we do. 

We are all human beings, and as human beings we all have that inner light within us but also we have that terrible darkness; and so, each one of us must find a balance between our divine light and our terrible darkness.  Moments of bliss.  Moments of misery.  We all need to help each other, especially help the weaker and innocent among us, and see that we are truly the same; as we all feel joy and feel pain, as we all desire to feel loved and happy…  No matter how upset, how hurt you are, always remind yourself of this…

“You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”  ~ Matthew 5:14.