STORY OF THE DAY A cobra once threatened to strike a wandering sadhu, and the sadhu convinced it, in return, of the merits of non-violence. This cobra-disciple forthwith abstained from molesting people. Gradually, the village boys discov- ered, then exulted in, the cobra’s newly gentle nature. They began to harass it gleefully. The cobra did not slink away. It tried to answer their teasing with love. 12 13 Well, if there is a creature more impervious to loving treatment than a little boy, I would like to see it! The boys responded heartlessly to the cobra’s love. “For years, you’ve been a pest in our village! Now we’ll get even. You must have lost your poison!” And, though the cobra succeeded sometimes in slink- ing away, still the boys gave it many a brutal beating. Several months later, the sadhu-guru passed through that village again. Seeing his cobra-disciple lying weakly by the roadside, he cried, “My dear one! What happened to you?” “Master,” whispered his disciple weakly, “this is what has come from my following your teachings. Where have I gone wrong?” “Oh, my poor friend!” cried the sadhu. “It’s true I told you not to strike anyone. But I didn’t tell you not to hiss!” So you see, we cannot allow ourselves to be made doormats. Sometimes, even with the kindest intentions, we need to hiss if people try to take advantage of our kindness. Affirmation I love all, but I will not, even out of love for them, al- low anyone to treat me as a doormat.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 17:13:33 +0000
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