Let me tell you a story *
A crow, sitting on a tree was musing
“I’m contended, happy always
Free to fly anywhere, find anything
Eat anything, sleep anywhere
I’m happy that I’m happy”
One day Crow saw Swan and thought
“Wow! Swan is so white
And I am so black
Swan must be the happiest bird”
Landing near Swan
Crow shared his thoughts with Swan
Swan was eager to share too
“I thought I was the happiest bird
Until one day I saw Parrot
Parrot has two colors and I have only one
So Parrot must be the happiest”
Crow flew looking for Parrot
Finding him in the forest
Crow shared his thoughts with Parrot
Parrot was eager to share too
“Yes, I thought I was the happiest bird
Until one day I saw Peacock
Peacock has so many colors and
I have only two
So Peacock must be happiest”
Crow took off looking for Peacock
For a long while Peacock
Was nowhere to be found
Then Crow saw him at the Zoo
Where a hundred people stood
Admiring him in his enclosure
As the people left
Crow shared his thoughts with Peacock
“Hello Peacock! You are so beautiful
You have so many admirers
People love to see you
When they see me
They shoo me away!”
Peacock was eager to share too
“Yes, for a while I thought that
I was the happiest bird in the world
Then I started looking around in the Zoo
All kinds of birds are here, in cages
Except one, the Crow
So, as I see it, Crow must be
Free to fly anywhere, find anything
Eat anything, sleep anywhere
You, Crow, must be the happiest of all”
Just a story for children? Or one about you?
Unwise comparisons are toxic poisons
That contaminate the experience of happiness
Making you wander forever in the world
Seeking more things to be happy
Nothing wrong in seeking happiness dear One
But look for it inside you where it is there
Ever-present as your real nature
Love
Sundar.
* I heard this story many years ago, and I don’t remember from who, but which I write from my recollection. Grateful to all those who create, carry and pass along these stories, these pointers to wisdom.
Awaken to the causeless happiness, that is your real nature. Get guidance for Self-Inquiry, finding the answer to “Who Am I?”, through the book, “Awaken: An Experiential Exploration of Enlightenment.”