THE FOUR IDOLS

THE FOUR IDOLS

In those old days, when monarchy used to be there, a king was gifted by his teacher; 4 idols which resembled great minds. These 4 idols were very precious to the king. The king appointed a man who was to take care of these idols. His only duty was to protect these idols and clean them every day. He was also told that the day one of these idols break he will be sentenced to death.

The man worked very carefully and for many years he was able to sustain the idols. However, as fate would have him, one day while cleaning, one of idols fell down and broke into pieces.

The king came to know about this and he ordered the man to be brought in front of him. The king in his anger proclaimed the death of the man. As was the custom, the man was asked for his last wish. The man said he wanted to clean the idols for one last time as he had taken care of them for years. The king granted his wish and the idols were brought. The man took the idols and to the horror of the king broke the remaining 3 idols. The king now furious, screamed “ Why did you do such a nasty act?”The man replied “ Someday you will appoint another man to take care of other 3 idols. Sooner or later one or two idols would break. That innocent man will then have to die – so I am saving that anonymous life in this manner.”

Punishment leads to no learning, mostly it’s destructive and sometimes one loses everything. Forgiveness is humanity and the greatest form of generousness.

Author unknown