I heard this story and I like it very much. The story along with an essay by Shaheed-e-azam Bhagat Singh “nearly” turned me into an atheist. I dont think am an atheist now but I am not religious either. Nor do I believe that I must pray to a some thing called God.
The story goes as…
Once there was a man who worked hard and made a lot of money. He had three sons, all three capable of taking care of his business. The man decided to go on a pilgrimage. He called his sons and gave all of them a letter in an envelope and said, “You may open this envelope 2 days after I am gone”. His sons assure him that they will take care of the business and everything.
The man went on to his pilgrimage and after one month he returned home.
He went to his first son and asked him what did he do with the envelope. His son replied, “Oh father, I really didn’t open the envelope. I have preserved it. I worship it every day. I bow to it every morning.” The father was disappointed but he had nothing to say. His managed the business very well.
Now he went to his second son and asked the same question. The second son replied, “Father I recite your letter every day. I have got it framed in a golden frame and bow to it all the time.” The son pointed out to a frame on the wall. Again the father was disappointed but his son has managed the business very well.
Now he went to see his third son. He asked his son the same question. His son replied, “Well I have to search for the letter but I got all the work done you mentioned in the letter. Oh, one more thing, all the instructions in that letter helped me in expanding our business overseas. I have learned a lot from your letter and now I can make better decisions. Honestly, I feel you must retire now, I can take care of the business.” The man was astonished. He said, “My son, only you followed my letter to the spirit. I am proud of you. I will retire now.”
Moral of the story: We read God’s letter. We bow to these letters. We frame these letters. We recite them. We worship these letters. But we seldom understand and work accordingly to these letters.
I was watching a cartoon on Adult Swim. A character from USA lands up in UAE. He wants to know why the hell every one was living in desert. An Arabian decides to explain this ignorant American why their country was great and starts singing and as soon as he sings first line he is shot dead by UAE security guards. Why? According to them singing dancing is forbidden.
I wonder if God will forbid any one from music.
