Probably I was in 6th or 7th standard when I enacted in this school play, “Raaste Ka Pathar Aur Jimmedari”, translated as “The Obstacles in path and our responsibility.”
Once upon a time there was this wise king who wanted to find out if the subjects of his kingdom were aware of their responsibilities. One early morning he cleverly disguised himself and went to a nearby village, where he puts a huge stone right in the middle of the path.
Underneath the stone, The King puts a gold coin along with a note, “A reward for being a responsible citizen”.
Doing so, The King goes into hiding behind a tree and waits patiently for someone to remove the stone from the path, and as a result claim the gold coin.
As it turns out, one by one several people come on that path, first a Tangewala (someone who drives a horse-carriage… this role was played by me), then few people riding a Bullock Cart, then comes a minister from King’s own court, and lastly a group of women. All of them complain aloud about the obstacle in their path, cursing aloud to whosoever may have put it there, yet no-one removes the stone.
The King, pretty much dismayed at such sheer callousness by all, now himself removes the stone from the path and comes to the conclusion that his subjects were unaware that all rights come with responsibilities and therefore as a King, he must take tough measures so as the people of his kingdom become responsible.
Moral of the story: Talk doesn't cook rice…
As I recalled this story from Panchatantra, I realized that although in life we all find obstacles in our paths, yet most of the time all we do is cry out aloud, become helpless and miserable, blame circumstances, go into numbness, all along failing to do something about it, maybe in a hope that one day someone else will appear on the horizon as a Messiah and help us out.
That’s out rightly silly. Don’t wait for someone to help you. Help yourself. Only you can walk your own path, and remove the obstacles you find, no-one else can or will. Neither can you walk someone else’s path, Nope sire! Every individual must make their own journey.
To quote Buddha, “No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.”
No man can use his brain to think for another. The primary act—the process of reason—must be performed by each man alone. We can divide a meal among many men. We cannot digest it in a collective stomach.
Don’t be a sheep, be an individual. Regard every man, every woman, every child, every individual as an independent, sovereign, responsible for their life and possessing an inalienable right to their own life, a right derived from The Almighty God, The Universe. Be compassionate towards all but understand that your compassion is incomplete if it doesn’t includes you. When you say “yes” to others, make sure you are not saying “no” to yourself.
Come to terms with your own strengths and weaknesses, your own language and your own song. Fly high. Sing aloud. Respect your own freewill and respect freewill of all others.
Good luck and God bless…
