The Story of a Young Restless Man
>> Friday, July 27, 2007
There once lived a young man who was looking for all-life-long joy and happiness. He was sure that somewhere on this earth there is a place where one can find eternal comfort - spiritual and physical.
One day the young man heard about "The Springs Path". It was a very long road in the desert and throughout that road there were several springs with life water. One of the springs contained water that, once you drink it, brought you peace and comfort and helped you to understand the meaning of life. All other springs only gave you enough strength to return back home. No one really knew how many springs were on that path.
Everyone who decided to try "The Springs Path" could try water from only one spring. Every time one approached the spring he had to make a choice: whether to drink from that one or continue his way till the next one.
The young man left his homeland, took nothing with him and traveled 5 days to approach the desert and "The Springs Path".
He started the Springs road early in the morning. He was full of strength. He was full of hope. He was sure that he had enough wisdom to choose the right spring.
The young man was making his way through the desert thinking to himself:"By the end of this day I will find peace and comfort, I will become happy".
After 15 minutes he approached the first spring. A very old man was guarding it. He asked the young man if he wanted to try water from that spring. The young man looked around and saw a lot of footprints ahead so he continued his way.
"The first spring on the path can't be the right one. It would be too easy",-decided the young man.
In half an hour he approached the second spring. A man who was guarding this second spring was still old, but not as old as the previous one.
The young man didn't try from the second one as there were still a lot of footprints ahead.
"Others didn't stop here, I won't stop either",-thought the young man.
However, he already felt a little thirsty because he was in the desert and it was very hot there.
Another hour passed and the young man approached the third spring. he noticed that reaching every new spring took him twice as much time as the previous one and that every other guard was younger.
The young man already felt very thirsty.
The man who was guarding the third spring was smiling. He asked in a very soft voice: "Would you like to drink from this one, refresh your body and probably even get eternal peace and comfort?"
It was a temptation. Thirst was so strong. But the guard's smile didn't look very honest.
The young man spotted that there were still some footprints ahead, though there were very few of them.
"Many of those who searched, gave up here, - decided the young man. - Well, I want to drink so much, but I don't want to be like those who gave up".
He continued his way and in 6 hours he passed 2 more springs. He wanted to drink, but he also remembered about his goal.
8 more hours passed by and the young man approached the sixth spring. He was now moving very slowly as he had no strength, because his body was dehydrated.
He saw another man guarding the spring - he was very young - maybe in his early 30-s or even late 20-s. He was smiling and his smile was very kind. He said: "Well, my dear young friend, I really think that now you can try from the spring. It will be the best choice for you. And I really wish you the best".
Young man looked around: there were no more footprints ahead. He was hesitating.
The guard was still smiling, his eyes were so bright, clear and kind.
"He might be cheating on me, - finally decided young man. I am moving ahead, I know better when to stop".
The guard asked once again. His voice was kind and compassionate.
"No, - said young man, - I am going to continue my way. I am still searching. There should still be something better on my way".
And he left.
The guard was looking at the young man's small silhouette for a very long time.
He sighed deeply.
-Poor restless young man. He always thinks that something better is waiting for him ahead. But nothing else is there. This is the last spring.
Tears were now coming from the guard's eyes.
"I wanted to become his friend for these several minutes. I wanted to give him a good advice, a kind advice. I wished him the very best...But he is so restless...desperately restless".
"He denied my advice, he relies only upon his own wisdom, but he doesn't realize how stupid he actually is".
"If he would drink from this last spring, he would probably understand the truth".
"The truth that no one can find peace and comfort on this earth. It only comes in heaven".
Several hours later the young man was no more able to move. He stopped and falled down in the middle of the desert sands. The stars were now shining in the sky.
The young man rose his head and watched the sky.
-God, forgive me, please, for being so stupid, restless and stubborn. Forgive me, please, for always thinking that I am the only wise person in this world. Forgive me, please, for not listening to other people's advices.
The young man was praying and he was crying. He had no more strength. He had no more hope.
He closed his eyes and felt asleep.
Forever.
He never woke up again.
He died.
The night passed. The dawn was now lightning the desert.
It was all quiet. The young man's dead body was right there - in the middle of the desert.
The young man finally found some rest.
