I first heard this story as an 8-year-old.
I’ve heard different versions, but the essence has stayed with me.
It is about a man travelling through the forest.
Let’s call him Kshudhit.
Unfortunately, a wild elephant started chasing him down the trail.
And to save his life, he climbed up a large banyan tree.
Panting for breath, he was glad that he had saved himself.
But the elephant had not stopped. Seeing Kshudhit on the tree, it powerfully pushed and shook the tree trunk.
He was seeing around when he spotted a huge well under the branch he was sitting on.
Large, venomous snakes swam in it – looking hungrily at Kshudhit.
The shaking continued.
Kshudhit lost balance and was about to fall into the well when he caught a creeper.
He was safe. This was his second chance.
Or was it?
The creeper he’d clung to was getting lose.
He looked up and couldn’t believe his bad luck.
Two mice, black and white, were gradually chewing away the creeper.
Between the angry elephant, deadly snakes, and these mice, Kshudhit prepared for the worst.
“Today is the day I die,” he whispered to himself.
“God, save me. Please, please, please. Save me,” he cried.
Who says prayers are not answered?
A dev (demi-god) flying by saw poor Kshudhit’s cries for help. He immediately came and reached out his hand.
“Take my hand; come with me. I’ll take you away from this mess. You’ll be safe.”
Kshudhit looked up. His eyes lit up.
But only momentarily. He seemed confused.
The dev asked him, “What are you waiting for? Grab my hand!”
“But…No…What if….”
“What happened? What’s wrong?” the dev asked with concern.
Kshudhit pointed to another branch on the tree, a little above the one he was hanging to.
The dev turned his eyes there and saw what was happening. He was shocked!
A bee hive on the other branch was slowly dripping honey on Kshudhit’s face.
Kshudhit was licking it off his skin and relishing the taste with every drop.
The dev was exasperated, “Leave the honey!”
“I can’t. It’s so nice and sweet. If I come with you, I’ll never be able to taste it again.”
“Your life is more important than this stupid honey,” the dev screamed. “Leave it and take my hand.”
The elephant started shaking the tree faster.
The creeper was about to go off because of the mice chewing.
The snakes were swarming in the well below to devour Kshudhit.
“After a while, I won’t be able to help you. Come with me!” pleaded the dev.
“But…the honey…no…” said Kshudhit.
End of his story.
And the beginning of ours.
Kshudhit is so foolish, isn’t he?
Despite so many problems, why would he cling to the honey?
It’s a no-brainer if he’s getting help, yet not accepting it.
Well: we are Kshudhit, and he is us.
The elephant is death.
The white and black mice are day and night.
Snakes are the many problems of life.
And we’re clinging amidst all this, not willing to leave the honey (momentary relief and peace).
There are plenty of opportunities, like the dev, to help us escape this mess.
It’s ‘obvious’ that we take them, isn’t it?
Kshudhit didn’t take his opportunity.
Do you take yours?
