These are 2 stories on the same concept but
with a different ending.
Story no 1:
In South Africa a young girl watched her mother weave a simple basket. She asked her mother, “What are you making?” The wise mother replied, “We are short on money and need to buy coal for our stove. So, I am making a monkey trap.”
“But, momma that basket is far too small for a monkey to fit into. I know it won’t work.”
“Well, the trap is quite small child. But, the trap needs to only fit the hand of the monkey, not his body to work.”
“Mmm, I don’t understand.”
“You see we chain this basket to a strong tree and put inside a delicious piece of fruit. When the monkey notices the fruit inside the basket, he grabs the fruit quickly and tries to pull it out. Surprise, our trap is not wide enough for him to remove his clenched fist with the bait. So, he is stuck, trapped, and we can sell him alive to the Afrikaners.”
“Why doesn’t the monkey just let go of the fruit and escape?”
“Because the monkey is greedy, single minded, and obsessed with the fruit. He will not let go because he is afraid someone else may get it or he will have to find something else to eat that he cannot see.”
“Momma’ I’m very glad I am not as dumb as a monkey!”
Story 2:
Tales & Parables of Sri Ramakrishna
Tales & Parables of Sri Ramakrishna
In a certain place the fishermen were catching fish.
A kite swooped down and snatched a fish. At the sight of the fish, about a thousand crows chased the kite and made a great noise with their cawing.
The kite flew to the south and the crows
followed it there. The kite flew to the north and still the crows followed after
it.
The kite went east and west, but with the same result. Whichever way the
kite flew with the fish, the crows followed it.
As the kite began to fly about in confusion, lo, the fish dropped from its mouth. The crows at once let the kite alone and flew after the fish.
Thus relieved of its worries, the kite sat on the branch of a tree and thought: 'That wretched fish was at the root of all my troubles. I have now got rid of it and therefore I am at peace.'
As the kite began to fly about in confusion, lo, the fish dropped from its mouth. The crows at once let the kite alone and flew after the fish.
Thus relieved of its worries, the kite sat on the branch of a tree and thought: 'That wretched fish was at the root of all my troubles. I have now got rid of it and therefore I am at peace.'
Learning?
If the monkeys just surrendered what they
were holding on to, they could have been free. They are stubborn, hoping that they will be able to have their food and their freedom at the same time.
As long as the kite was holding on to the
fish, it was under lot of pressure from the crows to release it. The moment he
released it he was at peace.
Worldly desires put a lot of pressure on
us. The pursuit of those desires force worries, anxieties and restlessness on
us. These desires are the Nuts that we are hanging on to which deny us the Peace. We
do not rest till those desires are fulfilled. When one desire is fulfilled,
another one crops up creating more and more pressure.
let us introspect: What are we holding on to?
What can we let go to be free? Is living life like a roller coaster ride is
what we want or a peaceful life?
Of course, it is hard to let go but not impossible. One should be mentally strong to control those
desires. But no sooner do we renounce these desires
than we start enjoying peace of soul.
Do you want to be the monkey or the kite?
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