THE BEASTS WITHIN US
One day an old hermit was asked:
- How come you don't get tired of being alone all the time?
He said:
- I have many things to do: I have to train two hawks and two eagles, calm two rabbits, train a snake, motivate a donkey and tame a lion.
- But we don't see these animals next to you. Where are they?
The hermit replied:
- We carry these animals within us.
The two hawks pounce on everything they see - good and bad, useful and harmful. I have to teach them to tell the difference. These are my eyes.
Two clawed eagles injure and destroy anything they touch. I must teach them to serve and help without hurting. These are my hands.
Rabbits are always jumping back and forth, scared and hiding. I have to calm them down and teach them how to deal with difficult situations, not run away from problems. These are my legs.
The hardest part is watching the snake. Although she is safely confined in a tight cage, she is always ready to attack, bite and poison anyone nearby. So I have to follow her and discipline her. This is my tongue.
The donkey, as everyone knows, is very stubborn, always tired and does not want to do his job. This is my body and my work is to make it move and do what I tell it to do.
Finally, I must tame the lion who wants to be king and rule over all. He is proud, vain and thinks that the whole world should revolve around him. It's my ego! It is a lot of work to tame the Lion.
As you can see, I have a lot of work to do… You can do your work too…
Shared with joy
A.A
Stob, Bulgaria