THE VOICE WITHIN

A merchant sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness from a wise man. The lad wandered through the desert for 40 days, and finally came upon a beautiful castle, high atop a mountain. It was there the wise man lived.

On entering the main hall, the lad saw a hive of activity — tradesmen came and went, people were conversing in the corners, a small orchestra was playing soft music, and there was a table laden with the most delicious food in that part of the world. The wise man conversed with everyone, and the lad had to wait his turn for a couple of hours before he received the man’s attention.

The wise man listened attentively to the lad’s explanation of why he had come, but told him he didn’t have time just then to explain the secret of happiness. He suggested the boy look around the palace and return in two hours.

“In the meantime, I want you to do something”, he said, handing the lad a teaspoon that held two drops of oil. “As you wander around, carry this spoon with you without spilling the oil”.

The lad began climbing and descending the many stairways of the palace, but keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the main hall.

“Well”, smiled the wise man, “Did you see the Persian tapestries that are hanging in my dining hall? Did you enjoy the garden which took my master gardener ten years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments in my library?”

Embarrassed, the lad confessed he had observed nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil entrusted to him.

“Then go back and observe the marvels of my palace”, said the wise man. “You cannot know someone if you don’t see his home”.

Relieved, the lad picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the castle, this time observing the works of art on the ceilings and the walls. He saw the gardens, the mountains all around him, the beauty of the flowers, the impeccable taste with which everything had been selected. Upon returning, he related in detail everything he had seen.

“But where are the drops of oil I entrusted you with?” asked the wise man. Looking down at the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone.

“Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you”, said the wise man, “the secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon”.

It is a matter of creating balance in life. Its beauties must be enjoyed, even as the duties entrusted are carried out to the full. Happiness will follow.

-— the harbinger