Max was walking along the road in the forest when a man approached him. He was moving so quickly that it appeared as though he was in a hurry to reach his destination.
"Hello, traveler, where are you going so fast?" asked Max.
"Hello,
young boy! I am going to the next kingdom. There is one very wise man from whom
I am planning to get advice. If you agree, we can begin our journey together,
during which I will share my personal story with you. My name is Nobel."
Max
has nothing against hearing his story, and he was delighted to hear it. As they
walked slowly, Nobel began to share his story with Max.
"When I was a small boy, we never had much money in my family. My mother would often remark that she had never married a man who, through his craft, earned a substantial income to support his family's daily needs. Every time I wanted her to buy me something, she always told me that she did not have money, and that is why when I grow up, I want to learn a craft that is profitable so my kids will not suffer like me. At the age of eighteen, I heard a story about a man in a distant kingdom who possessed extensive knowledge about large predators. I believed that if he was well-versed in large predators, he could impart his knowledge to me, enabling me to become a proficient predator. Only a select few can master this skill and not fear these creatures. Those who fear these creatures will generously donate large sums of money to ensure their safety from these predators. That's why I took all the money from my parents, began my search for him, and eventually found him. When I found him, I asked him, "Please, teacher, teach me how to kill giant predators!"
"It
is not so easy. You need many years to learn the skills necessary to defeat
them. Are you prepared to spend the next few years with me in that forest? Are
you prepared to listen and learn continuously from morning to evening? We will
solely focus on theoretical knowledge, as there aren't any large creatures
present here," responded the teacher.
"I
am prepared to undertake all necessary tasks!" I answered him without
getting deeper into his words.
"Do
you have enough money to pay me for the education? I need to have a source of
income to support myself while I'm teaching you."
"I'll pay you everything to learn how to defeat those predators." I spoke confidently, envisioning the greatness I would achieve. He accepted and allowed me to live with him. Two years have passed. I was following the instructions of my skilled teacher with outstanding care and attention. I was listening to him very carefully and gave all my energy to learn everything he wanted me to. He instructed me on how to construct traps and various other strategies for capturing a large creature. At the end, the teacher told me, "Now you know everything that I know. Now you can defeat every predator that you see."
I left
satisfied, even if I had no money. I was thrilled that I could now kill large
creatures; I was well-versed in dinosaurs, mammoths, and other mythical
creatures. I was among the few who possessed this knowledge. I was proudly
walking to the cities and villages, offering my services to people.
"What
are you capable of doing, young boy?" they inquired.
"I
am capable of eliminating large predators to protect you from them!" I was
bragging.
"Oh,
alright! When those creatures appear, we will certainly call you, but for now,
we do not need your services."
“That was how the days, months, and years of my life unfolded. People did not hire me, but I also did not hear that those creatures appeared. Most likely, their disappearance occurred many years ago. I am unable to work and am currently living a life filled with misery and poverty. Therefore, I am turning to the wise man for guidance. I hope that he will help me. “
We
arrived on the hill where the wise man's house stood in the evening. The wise
man welcomed us, provided us with food, and provided us with a shelter for the
night. He assured us that he would answer our questions when we woke up in the
morning. However, he reminded us that the day is wiser than the night because
it allows our body and mind to rest, which allows him to provide more accurate
answers. We woke up, and we saw that on the table there was food. The wise man
instructed us to wash our heads and hands in the river, eat breakfast, and then
return to him. We followed the old man's instructions and sat down next to him.
"I
am listening to you," the old man said, and Nobel began to narrate his
story once more, this time to the old man.
The wise man remained silent for a moment before launching into his speech: "Education ignites a fire; it does not imply filling the vessel. Your environment forces you to seek something that will help you progress. Many people follow this path, but in your situation, you confront large predators that have disappeared over time, requiring a slight shift in your perspective and mindset. You can take on the role of a shepherd and occasionally engage in combat with small predators or even a bear. Once upon a time, there was a mighty man whose name was Buddha. When asked how to find his calling in front of them, he replied, "Imagine waking up with all the wealth in the world and still wanting to do something else to make you happy and loved." This is what you should strive for, as engaging in activities filled with love prevents boredom. When you enjoy something, it's likely that others will find it enjoyable as well. You must understand that people value excellent skills that are beneficial to them, and they are willing to pay for them. If the desire for money didn't blind you, you wouldn't seek out that teacher; instead, you would seek out a different teacher who could impart knowledge from your heart. A person learns while they are still alive. When you were a young boy, it's likely that you had a dream, or perhaps while you were walking around your village, you saw a craftsman at work, and you wished to emulate him. Life continues, and you must strive to achieve your goals. Remember, you will leave behind whatever you build or do, but the choice is yours. I cannot dictate what you should work on; you must consider your options and make your own decisions." The old man stood up and said that he had something to do.
"Thank
you for your hospitality and for your advice for Nobel. I am confident that we
will discuss this matter, and he will make a decision. I wish you to be
healthy." Max left some coins for the old man and walked away. While
others were going about their lives, Nobel remained in silence.
If you like my educational stories,
you can search the whole book " Manners in the Great Kingdom" in all bookstores
