This is the story of the wise man and the bird. It is said that a long time ago a man with long white hair came to a remote village, always accompanied by a bird. It was a strange couple, because these birds were not very skilled with humans, yet the old man and the bird were always seen together everywhere.
The villagers pointed out that man was extremely wise, they said he was famous throughout the region for his great teachings, yet the sage was very humble. He settles near a feeder, with the bird, which was always in front of him.
- “When we are on the edge of an abyss and the night is dark.
- The wise rider lets go of the reins and surrenders to the horse’s instinct.
- ” – Armando Palacio Valdés-.
People started to get curious. They came to look at him from afar, but he didn’t even see them, only the bird kept an eye on him. Soon, the locals began to bring food and give shelter, as they were very under-protected. The sage and the bird thanked those who helped them.
Once, at dusk, a peasant approached the place where the sage and the bird lay, the latter warned a little when he saw him and moved to wake up the sage who was sleepy, he turned around and asked the visitor if he could help him with anything.
The peasant sat in front of the sage and confessed that he had a question. He was told that he was a very wise man and that he wanted to know if he could answer it. The sage replied, “No one is wise enough, to answer everything, but if I can help you, I will. “
The peasant told him that he wanted to know how to open the gates of heaven and how to close the gates of hell, he wanted to access heaven, but he never went to hell, so he needed to know how the doors opened, to avoid it. . The sage and the bird remained attentive. When the peasant finished speaking, the sage said, “What an idiotic question!Is it possible to see that you are a completely ignorant man?”
Hearing this, the peasant was enraged and wanted to hit the old man, the bird intervened and prevented it. Then the peasant saw that the wise man was blind and that the bird was his guide, he was ashamed of wanting to attack him and his anger dissipated, he only felt compassion for this defenseless old man and asked for his forgiveness. : “Anger has opened the door to hell. Compassion, heaven?
The peasant was delighted. He showed that he was indeed a very wise teacher, immediately thanked the teaching and then told the whole people what happened, then began a long procession to where the sage and the bird were, some wanted answers, others were happy to see him and be close to him, he transmitted a lot of peace.
One afternoon a young man arrived at the place where the sage and the bird were, his attitude was mysterious. He approached and, quietly, said the following:
-Master, are there people who speak ill of you?
-Just a moment!? You know what you’re going to tell me?Have you heard anyone speak of me with malice?
The young man thought for a moment and said:
-No. Je didn’t listen in person. Did anyone tell me?Is this a rumor in town?
The sage and the bird remained motionless for a moment. The man was attentive and the bird, as always, was by his side to protect him, the beautiful bird thanked him because he had freed him from a trap in the forest, since then he has become his companion and guide, because of the man he was blind .
After pondering for a moment, the teacher turned to the young man who had come to tell him the rumor that was spreading in the village and asked him:
What are you telling me?
The young man thinks for a moment. Then he said:
“Not really. To be honest, it’s quite the opposite. What I’ve been told is something that might haunt you. And maybe your friend too?” underlined, referring to the bird.
The sage and the bird remained silent for a moment, then the master said:
-I have one last question for you. Do I need to know what gossip is being done about me and my bird friend?
“Don’t you really?” answered the thoughtful young man
“Then go?” said the sage. When you don’t know if something is true, and there’s no point in saying it, and you don’t have to say it, it’s not worth talking about.