Do you know exactly where you are now? You are in a city, along with a lot of other people, and it is highly likely that, at this very moment, various people are sheltering in their hearts the same hopes and anxieties that you are sheltering within you. Let us go further: you are a microscopic speck on the surface of a ball. This ball spins around another ball, which, in turn, is located in one tiny corner of a galaxy along with millions of other similar balls.
This galaxy forms part of something called the universe, full of vast star clusters. No one knows exactly where this universe begins and ends. This does not mean that you are not of vital importance; you struggle, you strive, you try to improve, you have dreams, you are made happy or sad by love. If you were not alive, something would be missing. Here are some stories about our right to be unique.
The giant tree: A carpenter and his apprentices were travelling through the province of Qi in search of building materials. They saw a giant tree; five men all holding hands could not encompass its girth, and its crown reached almost to the clouds. “Let’s not waste our time with this tree,” said the master carpenter. “It would take us forever to cut it down. If we wanted to make a ship out of that heavy trunk, the ship would sink. If we tried to use it to build a roof, the walls would have to be specially reinforced.”
The group continued on its way. One of the apprentices remarked: “Such a big tree and no use to anyone!” “That’s where you’re wrong,” said the master carpenter. “The tree was true to its own destiny. If it had been like all the others, we would have cut it down. But because it had the courage to be different, it will remain alive and strong for a long time.”
I want to be an angel: Abbot João Pequeno thought: “I’m tired of being a mere man, I should be like the angels who do nothing but contemplate the glory of God.” That night, he left the monastery of Sceta and set off into the desert. A week later, he came back to the monastery. Brother Gatekeeper heard him knocking and asked who it was. “It’s Abbot João,” he replied. “I’m hungry.” “That’s not possible,” said Brother Gatekeeper. “Abbot João is in the desert, transforming himself into an angel. He no longer feels hunger and has no need to work for his food.”
“Forgive my arrogance,” replied Abbot João. “The angels help humanity, that is their job; that is why they do not need to eat, but merely to contemplate. But I am a man, and the only way in which I can contemplate that same glory is by doing what the angels do and help my fellow human beings. Fasting won’t get me anywhere.” Hearing this humble explanation, Brother Gatekeeper opened the gate of the monastery.
Which is the best example to follow?
Dov Beer of Mezeritch was asked: “Which is the best example to follow? That of the pious man who dedicates his life to God without ever asking why, or that of the erudite man, who tries to understand the will of the Almighty?” “The best example to follow is that of the child,” replied Dov Beer. “But a child knows nothing. It doesn’t even understand what reality is!” was the general response.
“There you are much mistaken, because the child has four qualities that we should never forget. A child is always happy for no reason. A child is always busy. When a child wants something, he or she shows great persistence and determination in demanding that thing. Lastly, a child is always very quick to stop crying.”
Translated from the Portuguese by
Margaret Jull Costa
