Adapted from Teresa Hillman’s story at Yoga Stories … spiritual teachings offered through stories for adults and children – used with permission.
This is a story about learning to be content. It was told by an elderly Indian gentleman, about when he was a child, many many years ago:
When I was a child of about eight my father said to me, ”Ramesh, why do you have such a sad face?’
He was always aware of my feelings, always observing and commenting on these things.
“Ramesh, why on this beautiful day, with the birds singing and the river running do you look sad? What could you have to feel sad about? The world is a beautiful place. Be happy.”
“I cannot be happy today, Father,” I said.
“And why is that, my son?”
“Because my brother has more friends than I have. I only have the two boys next door, and he has at least four friends.”
“But why should that trouble you, Ramesh? Do you not like your two friends? Are you not completely happy with them when you run around playing in the forest, or when you climb the trees and wear parrots’ feathers in your hair?”
“Yes, I am happy, but maybe I would be even happier with four good friends.”
“Happiness is happiness, my son. You cannot measure it. You cannot count it. You must learn to know it when you have it and be content with it, and if you are not lucky enough to be happy one day, then still be content to wait until it comes back to you again, for surely it will. So go and find your friends, my son and try to be happy and enjoy them.”
Optional Questions
- Who noticed that Ramesh was looking sad?
- Why was Ramesh feeling sad?
- Did the father think that Ramesh needed as many friends as his brother in order to really be happy?
- Why did the father think that Ramesh could be happy with his two friends?
- How do you feel when you compare yourself to people who have more friends or more possessions than you have?
- What about the opposite of that…How do you feel when you are thankful for what you do?
- How would you feel if you compared yourself to those who are less fortunate or don’t have much?
Notes
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Tags: contentment
