"WHEN THE DANCING ENDED
There was once a traveling businessman who was very unhappy with his life.
One afternoon while traveling along the rim of a canyon, he heard happy
voices coming from the other side of the canyon. Glancing over, he saw a
group of people in colorful dress who were happily dancing to exciting
music. Wishing to join them, he tried to cross a bridge over the canyon,
but was stopped by armed guards. Trying other bridges, he was halted each
time.
The businessman was furious at being kept away from the dancing people.
Though smiling when doing business, he was secretly bitter, not only at the
hostile guards but at everyone else.
On one occasion, while anxiously wondering how to get across, he noticed
something on the other side. The dancers had stopped dancing for a moment,
and the musicians had set down their instruments. And the happy faces had
vanished; instead, everyone seemed tired and depressed. The truth struck
him. It had all been an outdoor theatrical performance. He had been
watching skillful actors and actresses playing the roles of happy people.
With this realization, he felt a strange relief. He no longer felt envious
of the dancers nor hostile toward the guards. No longer wishing to cross
the canyon, his frustration had vanished. A deep contentment was now his,
for he knew he could be happy just where he was. And he was."
BECOME A NEW PERSON WITH NEW CONQUESTS
Secrets for Higher Success, Chap. 5, p. 97 (Previous version)
Chap. 5, p. 73 (Current version)
Comments