LESSONS LEARNT FROM BEING KIND (a short story)

LESSONS LEARNT FROM BEING KIND

A wise man once set off on a long journey through a dangerous forest to a distant land. He had to meet an old friend for an urgent favor. The journey will last for about a week on foot and he was on foot. On his way, he met a couple of people traveling the woods. He was later on joined by another lone traveler going to a village close to where he was heading. This man has a different understanding to life all together. He doesn't believe in a lot of things. In short, he doesn't believe that being 'kind' is a virtue worth dying for. He believes that people who believe in things like love, kindness just like the first traveler, live in fools' paradise. According to him, the world and life for that matter are not fair and are not to be trusted. So he therefore believes that being generous does not really pay as initially thought. The first traveler on the other hand believes in love, kindness and more...

Halfway through their journey, they were running out of provisions and so started their rationing plan. As they continued their walk through the quiet woods, they came across a big tree with a restful environment. Feeling tired as they were, they decided to rest over so that they can continue their trip when they regain enough energy later. While resting, another lone traveler stopped by too. After short pleasantries, the third traveler voiced his grievance, 'I am really hungry. Please can I get something eatable from you my cultured friends?' As if it were something bad to ask, the second traveler asked him sharply, 'haven't you prepared for the trip before setting off? But before the third traveler answers, the first traveler have already offered him water to drink to quech his thirst. After drinking the water, he then turned to the second traveler and said in calm voice, 'I was robbed off my belongs before I covered halfway of my journey'. The first traveler gave part of his remaining provisions to the third traveler who went another way later on.

When the two travelers covered about 80% of the entire distance, the first traveler runned out of provisions. His fellow started criticizing him for having given part of his limited provisions to someone he barely knows snd might never meet again. But he told his fellow, 'I did not give my food to the stranger because I hope he will pay me back some time to come. I did so because it gives me a sense of peace and purposeful achievement as a human'. On the fifth day,they came across a river which they must cross in order to continue. They must pay a fare in the form of belongings before they can cross over. Meanwhile, they both do not have enough possession to cover the cost charged by the service providers. The river is the only thing preventing them from reaching their destination. Just when all hopes seems gone; when they were just about deciding to return to their source region, something interesting happened.

There was another traveler who was about to cross the same river. He noticed how disturbed the disappointed travelers were. So he offered to pay their fare after hearing their sad story. When they crossed over to the other side of the river, he offered to pay for them to use chariot so they can reach their destination with much ease since they are out of provisions. He further offered them 3 pieces of gold each to use to get what they might need at their destination. The second traveler was marveled at the degree of kindness shown by the fourth traveler. He decided to ask the kind man for the motive behind his good deeds, and he replied with a soft and genteel voice saying... 'my parents taught me to share what I have with others and I will never lack. But I don't really do it for that any more than I do for the peace and fulfillment it brings to my soul'. They thanked the kind traveler and continued their traveling but this time, using a chariot pulled by two horses.

They arrived after four hours ride, at then end of a journey which would have lasted for about 10 to 12 hours on foot. On their arrival, the second traveler called the first and told him that he have learnt a lot from the act of kindness and is beginning to understand what a great bearing it has on love; the center of life. He told him about how his life will change from that day on. He also mentioned how kind he is going to try to be generous for the rest of his life. And he also said he will make it a point to spread the gospel of kindness hoping to have the same gratifying effect on many human families as much as he can reach with his messages.

Moral Lesson:

Givers never lack.

Givers are happier people.

Kindness is a virtue worth dying for.

Kindness is the symbol of love.

Love is the center of life.

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