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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@dzidefodepoet

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POVERTY IS NOT A DISHONOR (a short story)

POVERTY IS NOT A DISHONOR

There are three good friends called Lazy, Folly and Extravagance respectively. They live on a beautiful land with natural endowments like fertile soil and forest, minerals and intellectual ideas. But because of their own conditioning, they do not seem happy with their current state of affairs. These three modest friends who invariably considered themselves as poor people, once engaged in a long debate about 'poverty'. They all disagreed on the subject as each one of them hold a separate belief about what exactly poverty means. 

Many people believe, that the thin line of distinction between poor people and rich people is decision and action. One of them believes, 'not all fingers are equal, so not all men can be sa me in terms of wealth possession. So it's okay to be poor'. He concludes. His name is Lazy. Another believes that, 'success comes to those who are patient enough to wait for the right turn of events. So thus, it's okay to not be wealthy at the moment because time will surely tell'. His name is Folly. The last one believes that 'when money comes, it must be spent to make way for even more to be made daily. So it's not a bad thing to spend what you have while you still can'. He is called Extravagance.

As the argument continued, another friend of theirs, showed up. He is called Poverty! After hearing the basis of their locked argument, he said... 'I don't think it's wrong to not be fortunate enough to have what others have sometimes. What I however do understand is that, so many factors are responsible for why some people are poor while others are rich. But then, if you don't mind, I have a friend called Affluence, I bet his answer will blow your mind if we go to see him'. They agreed to his smart suggestion and went all the way to see Affluence who lives in the Silicon Hills.

At Silicon Hills, they were marveled at the sight of the site they visiting. They were looking in reality, what they have been dreaming of, all their lives. When they finally met Affluence, he introduced himself to them... 'My name is Affluence, but many people call me Riches. I am practically, the dramatic desire of most people alive and dead. Yes, I am probably the most chased entity in the history of men. You are welcome to my humble abode. Please what can I offer you? After the treat, the four visitors were convinced their questions will really be answered. But to their surprise, Affluence also referred them to Wisdom, Harkwork and Commitment who finally answered their question.

According to Affluence, 'being rich or poor can only stem from one’s own actions and inactions. But I believe Wisdom, Hardwork and Commitment have the right answer you seek my brothers'. Luckily enough, those three fellows also live in the Silicon Hills, right where Affluence lives. The three grey heads has it all to say in three simple lines.

Wisdom says, ‘You need divine intelligence to create and manage wealth. Absence of it invites poverty’.

Hardwork says, ‘You need to act your arts so as to materialize your plans. Absence of it invites poverty’.

Commitment says, ‘You need to be there for your dreams; for them to become realities.  Absence of it invites poverty’.

Before Commitment says his last word, Affluence cuts in... 'Yes, these are what I call the laws of success. They worked for me over the years and they'll work for you as they did for many others I’ve known for long. I therefore recommend them to you my humble friends.' Said Affluence.

The four fellows; Folly, Extravagance, Lazy and Poverty thanked Affluence and his grey-headed friends before leaving the Hills for their village. They were overwhelmed by the lesson they have learnt from the answers giving by the grey heads in Silicon Hills. They went ahead to apply the rules and started attracting fortunes of wealth in due times. Nothing is preventing me from applying these laws.

MORAL LESSON

Poverty; the state of lack, is not a dishonor in itself, unless it’s borne out of sheer laziness, extravaganza and foolishness.

@dzidefodepoet

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